Kesha and music producer Dr Luke settle defamation lawsuit after she accused him of rape

Kesha and music producer Dr Luke have settled a defamation lawsuit following nine years of dispute after the pop star accused him of rape and abuse.

The 36-year-old singer alleged Dr Luke drugged and raped her in 2005 and emotionally abused her for years.

Dr Luke, 49, denied this and accused her of defaming him, saying she had fabricated the claims in an attempt to get out of her record contract.

Kesha had also released emails in which the producer allegedly criticised her weight and appearance. At the time, Dr Luke had said the emails were out of context and did not present “the full picture”.

A civil trial, which had been set for this summer in New York, will now no longer take place.

In a joint statement announcing the pair had reached a resolution, Kesha said: “Only God knows what happened that night as I have 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.”

In his own statement, Dr Luke – who has worked with singers including Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson and Nicki Minaj – said he wished Kesha well.

The producer, whose real name is real name is Lukasz Gottwald, said: “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 rigorously 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.”

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Kesha, born Kesha Rose Sebert, achieved fame with the song TiK ToK in 2009 after featuring on Flo Rida’s number one single Right Round.

At the height of the #MeToo movement, her performance of Praying – a song about abuse, redemption and hope – became an emotional highlight of the 2018 Grammy Awards.