Like the rest of the world, I was horrified, when it was reported that Kesha had been denied release from her contract with Sony and Dr. Luke. The realisation that she would be forced to create music, something she is passionate about, from under the shadow of her abuser was frightening and demoralising.
Since the news broke, many have voiced their undying support for Kesha and sent her countless messages of love. Demi Lovato has proven to be one of her biggest supporters, so when Taylor Swift announced that she was generously donating $250, 000 to assist Kesha with legal bills, a lot of people looked to Lovato for a reaction.
Did Lovato praise Swift’s generous gesture? Not exactly. Following the news of Swift’s donation, Lovato took to Twitter to call out “self-proclaimed feminists” for not supporting Kesha, which a lot people viewed as a direct response to Swift’s donation. Regardless of Lovato’s intentions, it was a questionable move. Not because she didn’t have a valid point – she isn’t the first to call out Taylor’s self-affirming brand of feminism – but because it reduced her original message, and shifted the attention from Kesha.
Lovato didn’t stop there, she continued by tweeting “Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I’ll be impressed”. Observers then began to point out that Lovato had turned the focus from Kesha’s court battle to herself. That’s when things got really heated, “How the f–k am I making this about myself,” an agitated Lovato wrote on an Instagram post.
“At least I’m talking about it. Not everyone has 250k to just give to people. Would love to but I didn’t grow up with money and def haven’t made as much as her. At least I speak up about s–t that’s uncomfortable to talk about rather than trying to be politically correct 24/7”. As fans and observers continued to criticise, Lovato continued to feverishly defend herself and discredit Swift’s contribution.
“There’s no ‘rivalry’ I just give more f–ks than other people and would rather start a dialogue ABOUT WOMEN COMING FORWARD ABOUT BEING RAPED than throw money at one person,” she wrote. “Didn’t shade Taylor. If you take it that way than fine. I’m just tired of seeing women use ‘women empowerment’ and ‘feminism’ to further brands without actually being the ones that have the uncomfortable conversations. I get shade and I don’t give a f–k because someone has to be the one to take it. At least I’m getting my hands dirty”.
Regardless of Lovato’s intentions, and whether or not she agrees with Swift’s donation, openly condemning it ultimately served no purpose. All it did was reduce Kesha’s story to the sidelines, and that was only highlighted when the press dug their teeth into, and relished the idea of a potential feud between Lovato and Swift. It seems, however, that Lovato has realised her fault in it all, as she quickly took to Instagram to clarify her unfortunate comments.
“As most people know, I tend to get fired up about the things I believe in, and although my heart and intentions are always in the right place, unfortunately sometimes my passion gets the best of me and causes me to say things that I probably shouldn’t say”. She wrote on her personal Instagram. “And when doing so it takes away from the real reason I am speaking up in the first place. Our focus should be on the topic of victims of sexual and physical abuse being afraid to come forward with their stories. They’re more likely to face retaliation and harassment than to see justice being served. Especially women”.
#Peace.Love.DemiLovato
