Twitter is tearing up over Kesha’s emotional Grammys performance
It’s rare that you witness a performance that moves you, gives you chills, and speaks directly to your heart quite like Kesha’s 2018 Grammy Awards performance of “Praying.” Kesha was joined onstage by Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Bebe Rexha, Andra Day, Julia Michaels, and the Resistance Revival Chorus — who all supplied backup vocals to Kesha’s moving and raw performance. The performance brought us to tears and not just because this song marks Kesha’s successful return to music after a lengthy legal battle with producer and her alleged abuser, Dr. Luke, but because many suspect that this song was written in direct response to the abuse she suffered at the hands of Dr. Luke.
However, in the wake of the #TimesUp and the #MeToo movement, this song takes on a whole new meaning with lyrics like:
“…But after everything you’ve done, I can thank you for how strong I have become. ‘Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell I had to learn how to fight for myself. And we both know all the truth I could tell I’ll just say this is ‘I wish you farewell.’”
As evidenced by the reaction to the song on Twitter, Kesha’s words are being internalized in all sorts of new and beautiful ways.
Somewhere, right now, in multiple places in multiple states, there are victims watching Kesha.
And they all feel less alone, and more powerful, because of her. #grammys #metoo #timesup
— Danielle Campoamor (@DCampoamor) January 29, 2018
.@KeshaRose to me, you won. I broke down in tears tonight as you sang. Your song rips me apart every single time. You sing all the words I’m too afraid to speak & Provides insight for those who have not been through what victims like us have. Thank you thank you thank you.
— ROZES (@ROZESsounds) January 29, 2018
Kesha tearfully embracing her other singers has me weeping pic.twitter.com/ZaVFvQelEq
— David Mack (@davidmackau) January 29, 2018
Kesha sang her autobiography and it was stunning. My god. #Grammys pic.twitter.com/A6VbsYje5d
— ya girl (@goldengateblond) January 29, 2018
What a statement! #Kesha had me crying #GrammyAwards2018 #Grammys pic.twitter.com/jRrfsaD2mD
— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) January 29, 2018
Watching #GRAMMYs. Kesha's song "Praying" and her performance blew me away. Powerful. Godspeed.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/957817334982328320
*Half a box of Kleenex later* Thank you #Kesha. That was incredible. Your spirit soared over the #GRAMMYs tonight.
— Ryan Knight ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) January 29, 2018
Proud of Ke$ha for taking back her power and helping other victims of assault and abuse do the same.
'Cause you… https://t.co/pbMGTEeloF
— Gabriel Fuller (@gabrielfuller) January 29, 2018
Kesha! She gave a voice to all of those who have been victims …. thank you!! @KeshaRose #GRAMMYs
— Diana Olarte (@diani92) January 29, 2018
However, we can’t ignore the darker side of this moment, namely the fact that the very industry she performed for is the same industry that enabled her abuse. false
At the end of the day, Kesha was proud of her performance and we hope she knows how many lives she touched tonight.
“after everything you've done I can thank you for how strong I have become”
thank you to the @RecordingAcad, the women on stage with me tonight, and everyone who has supported me through this whole journey. pic.twitter.com/43gOsofL0S— kesha (@KeshaRose) January 29, 2018
You can watch the full performance here.
