Wendy Williams is the latest celebrity to add their voice to the conversation regarding Kesha's current legal battle with producer Dr. Luke (full name Lukasz Gottwald.)
During her show on Monday morning, Williams shared her opinion about the latest ruling in the case -- Kesha is still under contract but allowed to work with other producers -- and wondered why Kesha didn't just record the alleged abuse by Gottwald when it was happening.
"Unfortunately, business is business, and it sounds like it’s fair. If everybody complained because somebody allegedly sexually abused them ... contracts would be broken all the time," Williams said.
She continued, "Kesha’s no spring chicken. I mean she’s, like, 30 years old? ... So she wasn’t stupid 10 years ago and neither was her mother when the sexual abuse -- alleged sexual abuse -- started. Why weren’t they rolling camera on it?"
Wait, what? (You can watch the clip below.)
According to Williams, it's the victim's responsibility to hook up a camera and film themself being abused, otherwise we shouldn't believe them. Sounds like plain old victim-blaming to us.
The talk show host's type of thinking -- questioning an individual's claims, not believing them -- is just one reason so many women (and men) choose not to report sexual abuse. It's also a too-common response to individuals who come forward after being abused.
Kesha first came forward in 2014, when she accused Gottwald of sexual assault and battery; she alleged that the abuse went on for 10 years. Since then, she's become entwined in a complicated and very public legal battle with her former producer and her record label, Sony.
Throughout the whole legal fight, the "Crazy Kids" singer remained under contract with Sony and Gottwald, and was reportedly barred from recording new music with any other producer. However, last Friday, a judge ruled that, while she must honor her contract, she is allowed to work with producers other than Gottwald.
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