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Dr. Luke's record label re-approves Kesha's BBMA performance

By Marilyn Malara
Singer Kesha -- seen here in 2014 -- will in fact be performing at this year's Billboard Music Awards despite uncertainty earlier this week, Dr. Luke's label announced. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 4 | Singer Kesha -- seen here in 2014 -- will in fact be performing at this year's Billboard Music Awards despite uncertainty earlier this week, Dr. Luke's label announced. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, May 20 (UPI) -- Kesha will perform at this year's Billboard Music Awards following reports her embattled record label was pulling her from the event.

Sony-owned Kemosabe Records, led by Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, released a new statement Thursday saying the performance was "always approved, in good faith."

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"Approval was only suspended when Kemosabe learned Kesha was to use the performance as a platform to discuss the litigation. Now that Kemosabe has obtained assurances, that it is relying upon, from Kesha, her representatives and Dick Clark Productions that neither Kesha nor her supporters will use the performance as such a platform, the approval has been restored," the statement continued.

The statement came shortly after Kesha and Ben Folds shared a Los Angeles stage to perform the Bob Dylan cover intended for the BBMAs. The performance was reportedly meant as somewhat of an alternative to the previously canceled awards show gig.

Earlier this week, Kemosabe records announced it "rescinded its approval" of Kesha's performance after catching wind of an unidentified media report on Wednesday. "Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show."

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Following the announcement, Kesha uploaded a blurry picture of herself with a guitar on Instagram, writing in the caption that she was "very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan," on the show.

"I'm very sad and sorry to say I won't be allowed to do this. I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke. I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way," the singer wrote. "I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u for all the continued support."

In April, New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich threw out a majority of Kesha's counterclaims against Dr. Luke in their ongoing lawsuit citing a failure to present facts proving Dr. Luke's alleged actions were discriminatory based on gender.

Kornreich originally denied Kesha's injunction against Dr. Luke keeping her contractually bound to the producer amid allegations that he sexually, physically and verbally abused her. Dr. Luke has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

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The 2016 Billboard Music Awards will air live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

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