Ariana Grande On Kesha: “I Don’t Think A Male Artist Would Be In This Position”

If there’s one thing we like to see at IMAGE, it’s women supporting other women. Nothing says solidarity like publically voicing your support for a fellow female, and that is what members of the music industry have been doing of late.

Singer Kesha is in the midst of trying to extricate herself from her contract with Sony as the result of her allegations that longtime producer Dr Luke sexually assaulted her – a US judge ruled that Kesha was bound to the contract, essentially forcing her to continue to collaborate with her alleged abuser, thus rendering her out of her creative means to earn a living. The situation is beyond dire. Since the ruling, performers in the industry have rallied around the 29-year-old performer, including fellow songstress Ariana Grande.

The petite pop singer doesn’t have the best reputation (there are constant rumours regarding her diva-like behaviour), but there’s no denying her killer voice and admirable feminist stance on sexism in the music business. She is a woman unafraid to speak her mind, and this is also true when it comes to Kesha.

ICYMI: Read: Ariana Grande’s Feminist Outburst?

?I love Kesha,? she said. ?I worked with her when I was a lot younger. We’ve been friends, I support her, regardless of what’s going on. I didn’t know about a lot of this, at the time I was really young. We didn’t discuss any of this. The incredible double standards that we [women] face on a daily basis, in the industry and just in the world, it’s shocking. I would be so amused, and pardon me if this comes across as sexist, but I don’t think a male artist would be in this position right now. Sorry.? The fact that she even felt the need to apologise for making a truthful statement (she isn’t wrong) is telling in itself.

However, she had no hesitation about her support for her fellow artist and woman.

?If I’m speaking out about something I’m passionate about, I’m willing to take the brunt of fighting for what I believe in,? Grande said. ?And my fellow women are definitely something that I will always be one of the first to speak up about.?

Here, here.

Her supportive words come a few days after Kelly Clarkson said she was “blackmailed” into working with the music producer.