Kesha thanks Lady Gaga for 'bringing attention to sexual assault' at the Oscars

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Kesha took to social media Sunday to thank Lady Gaga for her powerful performance of "Til It Happens to You" at the 88th annual Academy Awards.

"Thank u @ladygaga and @vp for bringing attention to sexual assault at the oscars." the singer wrote alongside a selfie on Instagram which also thanked Vice President Joe Biden who introduced Gaga to the stage.

"It hit very close to my heart for obvious reasons. #ItsOnUs," she continued.

The piece nominated for Best Original Song for The Hunting Ground, a documentary about campus rape, was performed by Gaga as she was surrounded onstage by survivors of sexual assault. Before introducing her, Biden urged viewers and the star-studded audience to "take the pledge" to end campus sexual assault.

The heartfelt performance brought The Dolby Theatre and its audience to their feet for a standing ovation. Multiple stars including Rachel McAdams and Kate Winslet were seen with tears in their eyes.

"#ItsOnUs These survivors. Wow. Floored by the courage. And beauty. And realness. #Oscars @ladygaga Thank you," wrote Kerry Washington on Twitter who was also in attendance.

Kesha is coming off her recent court battle with producer Dr. Luke whom she alleges sexually, physically and verbally abused her. A New York judge denied the singer her injunction against Dr. Luke leaving her legally bound to her contract with the producer.

Artists have been showing their support for Kesha on social media including Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift and Gaga who earlier in the week shared a photo on Instagram of herself holding Kesha in her arms with the caption, "Free Kesha."

"What happened to Kesha has happened to many female artists including myself," the 29-year-old singer wrote in a comment on one of her photographs with Kesha. "It will affect her for the rest of her life."

New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich, who presided over the case, also dismissed lawsuits filed by Kesha's mother and manager that Dr. Luke, real name Lukasz Gottwald, had sexually abused the singer 10 years ago.