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Ariana Grande Speaks Up For Kesha: ‘A Male Artist Wouldn’t Be In This Position’

'I support her regardless of what is going on.'

After tweeting last month that her “heart is with” Kesha, Ariana Grande is continuing to speak up for the embattled singer.

During a recent interview on 97.1 AMP Radio, the newly proclaimed “dangerous woman” pledged her support for Kesha, telling host Carson Daly, “I love Kesha. I worked with her when I was a lot younger. We’ve been friends. I support her regardless of what is going on.”

The two singers worked together early in Ariana’s career, when Kesha wrote the song “Pink Champagne” for her. Ari said they’ve never discussed the abuse allegations that Kesha has made against longtime producer Dr. Luke but, over time, she began to see what she calls a "double standard" that female artists face in the music industry.

"The incredible double standards that we [women] face on a daily basis, in the industry and just in the world -- it's shocking," she said. "I would be so amused, and pardon me if this comes across as sexist, but I don’t think a male artist would be in this position right now. Sorry.”

Ariana is one of several celebrities who have publicly rallied behind Kesha, including Halsey and Lady Gaga. Kesha is embroiled in a lawsuit against producer Dr. Luke, whom she’s suing for alleged sexual and emotional abuse. Dr. Luke and his lawyers have denied the allegations.

Ariana’s thoughts echo what Gaga said in an interview with AMP Radio last week, when she told Daly, “The truth is, I feel like [Kesha] is being very publicly shamed for something that happens in the music industry all the time.”

Gaga vowed at the time to keep sticking up for her friend, and Ariana pledged to the do same, saying, “If I’m speaking out about something that I’m passionate about, I’m willing to take the brunt for fighting for what I believe in. And my fellow women are definitely something that I will always be one of the first to speak up about.”

In February, a New York court denied an injunction that would’ve allowed Kesha to sever ties with Dr. Luke and his Kemosabe Records. Last week, TheWrap reported that according to unnamed sources, Sony Music was planning to “end its working relationship” with Dr. Luke before his contract expires, but the producer’s team has since refuted the report, claiming he and Sony have “an excellent relationship.”

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