Lady Gaga on Kesha and why the music industry is 'scary' for young artists

Just over a week after her stirring Oscar performance in support of sexual assault survivors, Lady Gaga talked Monday about why she has been so vocal in Kesha's ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke, saying that she is being "publicly shamed for something that happens in the music industry all the time." 

The "Applause" singer opened up in 2014 about when she was raped at 19, and in an interview with Carson Daly on Monday, she said that's one of the reasons she can't stay silent. (Kesha has accused her longtime producer of rape, along with physical and emotional abuse, over their decade-long relationship.)

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"I just want to stand by her side because I can’t watch another woman that went through what I’ve been through suffer, you know? And have everyone have a go at her as if, you know, she’s lying," she said. "I mean, I have to say. I talk to her every day. I’m friends with her personally and what I’m watching her go through is not only something I’ve been through, but something that’s really devastating to witness."

She went on to talk about why so many people in the music industry are afraid to speak out, saying many fear of "somebody coming after them."

"Nobody wants to say anything implicitly against anyone. Number one, because none of us are vindictive people. We don’t want to hurt anybody. But number two, I think everyone’s really afraid of somebody coming after them. And that’s just the way that this business works ... I’m trying to be standing by her, but I’m also trying to protect myself and my family and it’s a very complicated thing." 

She continued: "But I will say, the reason that I’m standing by her is because I want to help make it easier for young artists in this industry, for their music to get heard. I’ve told you before, Carson, what it was like coming up for me in this business. It was so hard and it’s supposed to be hard. It’s not supposed to be easy, but the things you have to deal with on a moral and ethical level with people related to money and sex and contracts. You know, it’s really scary for a young person and I just think that people should be educated about that while the country’s deciding where justice should be served."

While Kelly Clarkson, who has worked extensively with Dr. Luke, told an Australian radio station this weekend that she only worked with the producer because she was "blackmailed" by her label.

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