MANILA, Philippines – Demi Lovato defended herself on social media after Taylor Swift's fans said she criticized Taylor's $250,000 donation to Kesha, whose request to record away from her alleged rapist, producer Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, was struck down by a New York State Supreme Court judge. (READ: Celebrities support Kesha after judge rules she can't terminate Dr Luke contract)
According to a February 21 report by Billboard, Swift donated the amount to Kesha "to help with any of her financial needs during this trying time.”
Meanwhile, Demi tweeted her support for Kesha before taking a swipe at some so-called feminists, challenging them to take action, which may have led Taylor's fans to assume she was criticizing the "Bad Blood" singer.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeKesha?src=hash">#FreeKesha</a> this is only gonna make you stronger, you brave and beautiful girl. Prayers are with you <a href="https://twitter.com/KeshaRose">@KeshaRose</a></p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701134345545748480">February 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Frustrating to see women come forward with their past only to be shot down, not believed & disrespected for their bravery in taking action</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701334384822067201">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Someone tell me why anyone would ever feel brave enough to come forward if they are most likely to be ignored or called a liar?</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701337438401257472">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
"I'm also ready for self-proclaimed feminists to start speaking out or taking action for women's rights," said Demi. Taylor has said she is a feminist in the past, telling Maxim in 2014 that her views on the movement have become clearer because of her experiences with double standards in the industry.
"A man writing about his feelings from a vulnerable place is brave; a woman writing about her feelings from a vulnerable place is oversharing or whining," said Taylor, who has been criticized for writing songs about her relationships. "Misogyny is ingrained in people from the time they are born. So to me, feminism is probably the most important movement that you could embrace, because it’s just basically another word for equality."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm also ready for self-proclaimed feminists to start speaking out or taking action for women's rights.</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701346409338028032">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Women empowerment is speaking up for other women even when it's something uncomfortable to speak up about.</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701351569468448768">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Women empowerment is using your voice to help the voiceless women be heard.</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701351702977359872">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Women empowerment is taking action now, not when it's convenient.</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701352012965785600">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Women empowerment is leading other women to make actual changes in our society.</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701353338432925696">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Women empowerment is tweeting at 2:30 am knowing the consequences of these tweets and not giving a single fuck. </p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701353606025388032">February 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I'll be impressed.</p>— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/701620935875436544">February 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
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In an Instagram post by a Taylor Swift fan account @proudofswift Demi commented: “How the f-ck am I making this about myself? 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 definitely haven’t made much as her. At least I speak up about sh-t that’s uncomfortable to talk about rather than trying to be politically correct,” Demi said.
She added: “There’s no ‘rivalry.’ I just give more f-cks than other people and would rather start a dialogue ABOUT WOMEN COMING FORWARD BEING RAPED than throw money at one person.”
In response to the Instagram user saying that it seemed she shaded Taylor for donating money instead of tweeting about the issue, Demi said: "I didn't shade Taylor. If you take it that way then 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 fuck because someone has to be the one to take it. At least I'm getting my hands dirty."
On her own Instagram account, Demi clarified: "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 added that people should instead focus on the victims of sexual abuse: "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."
{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCG6LopuKpf/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">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. 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. It baffles me that when it comes to serious issues like equality and abuse, too often women are not taken as seriously as men. All I want to see is women coming together and actually making a difference. A real change and shift in society. Everyone has their own way of giving support to others , and at the end of the day, helping victims is all that matters. Ultimately, the message I want people to hear is it's okay to come forward with your abuse and if you do decide to take action, you are not alone.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-02-23T00:02:53+00:00">Feb 22, 2016 at 4:02pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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A judge upheld Kesha’s contract with Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke, who she has accused of sexual abuse. The ruling was issued Friday, February 19.
On Twitter on February 23, Dr Luke spoke about the allegations for the first time, denying that he had ever raped Kesha. – Rappler.com