American singer Kesha has come under fire after publicly expressing her support for NewJeans in the wake of the recent legal verdict relating to the group’s contract dispute with their agency ADOR.
On October 30 KST, the Seoul Central District Court, led by Judge Jeong Hoe Il, ruled on ADOR’s lawsuit to reaffirm the validity of its exclusive contract with the five New jeans members. The ruling effectively sided with the agency, after months of public and legal tension.
The case arose from a move New jeans in November 2024, when the group sought to terminate the contract, citing a complete breakdown of trust between them and ADOR. Their decision sparked widespread debate, as many perceived it as an attempt to claim autonomy over their careers under reportedly unfair conditions. In the process, the group declared independence, adopting a new name and severing ties with ADOR.
While public opinion remains divided, Kesha, who famously fought her own record label and producer for control of her music career, took to social media to express solidarity with the group. In a now widely discussed post, she wrote it “the heart is with Newjeans”, implying emotional support for idols in the midst of their legal turmoil.
This seemingly simple display of empathy quickly triggered a backlash. Critics, many of whom support the court’s ruling, harbor resentment toward Min Hee Jin, ADOR’s former CEO, who accused Kesha of interfering in a legal matter she may not fully understand.
However, others were quick to defend the singer, pointing out that her past experience with an oppressive contract gives her a unique perspective.
Kesha’s history with lawsuits is well documented. In 2014, she filed a lawsuit against producer Dr. Luke, alleging years of emotional and sexual abuse and seeking to void her contract with him. Despite his claims, the case was dismissed in 2016 due to statute of limitations constraints. The long legal battle finally ended with a settlement in 2023, although Dr. Luke has always maintained his innocence.
During that time, Kesha received widespread support from the industry, including from stars like Adele and Taylor Swift, as her fight symbolized larger issues of power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
Now, years later, his support New jeans has sparked a similar conversation touching on artists’ rights, industry scrutiny and how past traumas can shape a person’s empathy in high-profile controversies.
Like the New jeans-The ADOR controversy continues to dominate headlines, the debate surrounding Kesha’s statement adding another layer of complexity to an already polarizing case.
Sources: Koreaboo
