Katy Perry Receives Pushback for Having Dr. Luke Produce ‘Woman’s World’ Song After His Kesha Legal Drama

Katy Perry is facing mounting criticism for collaborating with Dr. Luke, the producer behind her upcoming girl anthem, “Woman’s World,” but who was also once sued by Kesha for alleged sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

While Perry’s upcoming album, 143, is set to feature a track meant to be “a powerful celebration of womanhood in all its forms,” it’s not lost on fans that the single is co-written by six people, four of whom are men — Perry, songwriter Chloe Angelides and producers Dr. Luke, Vaughn Oliver, Aaron Joseph, and Rocco Valdes.

But it’s Dr. Luke’s involvement in Perry’s first album in four years (she previously collaborated with him on 2008’s “I Kissed a Girl,” among others) that has some fans upset, particularly because of his nearly decade-long legal battle with Kesha. She sued Dr. Luke in 2014 claiming he raped and drugged her after a 2005 party. He vehemently denied the allegations, and then countersued her for defamation. Kesha’s lawsuit was dismissed in 2016 after a judge, according to Rolling Stone, ruled her claims were too old. His defamation lawsuit continued amid several appeals and numerous delays. And just weeks before the case was set to go to trial in July 2023, Kesha and Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, reached a settlement. 

“Only God knows what happened that night,” Kesha wrote in her statement after reaching a settlement. “As I always said, I cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one. I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved.”

For his part, Dr. Luke stated, “While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly 10 years. It is time for me to put this difficult matter behind me and move on with my life. I wish Kesha well.”

Nevertheless, Dr. Luke’s involvement continues to hang a dark cloud over Perry’s new anthem meant to celebrate women, at least from many fans’ perspectives. And these same fans have voiced their displeasure with Dr. Luke’s involvement in Perry’s upcoming album.

One fan tweeted, “I’m sorry but I can’t listen to any new Katy Perry song that is written and/or produced by Dr. Luke. I don’t like Dr. Luke for many reasons and I just can’t personally support his career. I’m sorry Katy but I am very disappointed.”

Even Academy Award-nominated actress Abigail Breslin weighed in on Perry and Dr. Luke reuniting for her new album. The Little Miss Sunshine star tweeted, “I’m just saying… working with known abusers in an inudstry just contributes to the narrative that men can do abhorrent s**t and get away with it. On another note, I love @KeshaRose and she gave one of the best shows ive ever been to last year <3 stream Kesha!”

In a series of follow-up tweets, Breslin shared she received backlash for her tweet, including death threats.

“[S]o I made a post condemning abusers and supporting an artist I love,” she tweeted. “[A]nd apparently that means receiving death threats… cool.”

For her part, Kesha seemingly reacted to the ordeal. She tweeted simply “lol” just hours after Perry teased “Woman’s World” on her social media channels.

Perry’s 143 album drops Sept. 20 via Capitol Records.

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