Kesha received a standing ovation from the audience at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night (23 May), when she delivered her first awards show performance in three years.
Dressed in a white suit, Kesha gave a stripped-back and emotional rendition of Bob Dylan’s ‘It Ain’t Me, Babe’ during the ceremony, allowing viewers to see a different side to her musical stylings.
Open Image Modal
Kesha
JB Lacroix via Getty Images
While in the early days of her career, Kesha was perhaps best known for her lyrics about partying and heavy use of AutoTune, her homage to Bob Dylan allowed her to show off her full singing ability, following a week of speculation about whether she’d be appearing at all.
Open Image Modal
Kesha performing at the Billboard Music Awards
Jeff Kravitz/BBMA2016 via Getty Images
Last week, she claimed on Instagram that her record label boss, Dr Luke - who she has repeatedly accused of rape and emotional abuse - had refused to grant her permission to sing at the awards show.
He later set the record straight, claiming that once he’d had full confirmation that the performance wouldn’t contain any allusions to their ongoing legal disputes, he’d “restored his approval” for her to sing at the awards show.
The crowd clearly appreciated seeing a different side to the ‘We R Who We R’ singer, who was visibly moved when she received her standing ovation at the end of the track.
Open Image Modal
Kesha on the red carpet
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
Kesha is currently fighting a legal battle to get out of her contract with Dr Luke’s division of Sony Records, having previously accused him of sexual assault, which he has repeatedly denied.