Pop star Kesha lit up the stage—and our hearts—on April 10 at a big LGBTQ+ fundraising dinner in New York City. She didn’t just show up in glitter and glam (though, of course, she looked fabulous). She came with a powerful message of love, strength, and standing proud, even when times are tough.
🎤 A Big Honor with a Big Message
Kesha received the Visionary Award from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center during their annual fundraising event at Cipriani Wall Street. She arrived with her mom, Pebe Sebert, and was introduced by none other than Bob the Drag Queen—a star in her own right.
Right away, Kesha got honest. “In the midst of all the hate and the chaos and people trying to take away our freedoms,” she said, “the most political thing we can do is to love ourselves and love one another.”
🧨 A New Chapter: Kesha’s Album “Period”
During her speech, Kesha opened up about her new album, titled “.” (yes, Period). This one is different. It’s her first project under her own record label, called Kesha Records.
“I am releasing Period as the CEO of my own record label,” she told the crowd. “All of these songs have been produced by me, written by me, sung by me.”
That’s right. After years of legal battles and struggles, this is the first time Kesha, 38, actually owns her music. “It’s the first time in my adult life, since I was 18 years old, that I have legal rights to the recordings of my voice,” she said proudly.
Her new album will drop on July 4, and fans can expect it to be full of personal truth, power, and freedom.
💔 From Struggles to Strength
Kesha didn’t sugarcoat things. She’s been through some hard times, especially during her long legal fight with producer Dr. Luke. But instead of hiding it, she shared it.
“I wanted to walk into this album cycle being a completely empowered, fully healed, unbothered [badass],” she said. “But the truth is that I have seen some stuff. I have been through some stuff. And whether I like it or not, it has changed me. It has made me the strong [person] that I am.”
Looking around the room, Kesha added, “I can only imagine that every person in this room has also seen some stuff. I know that it has changed you as well. We are just people fighting for our lives—to just be ourselves, to just be safe, to just be seen, to just be free.”
👑 Real Talk from a Real Queen
The crowd listened closely as Kesha kept it real. “You’re my community, and this is my safe space to be authentically myself,” she said. “So I’m gonna be authentically myself tonight. I’m gonna be a little messy, a little exhausted. I’m still healing.”
She admitted she’s not always strong. “I’m pretty [confident] most of the time except for when I get insecure, and sometimes I just get scared. And it’s hard to not be scared in these times.”
She then looked out at the crowd with a powerful reminder: “What we live through makes us stronger and gives us empathy for the person sitting next to us.”
And then came the moment everyone’s still talking about. With emotion and fire, she said:
“In the midst of all of the hate and the chaos and people trying to take away our freedoms, the most political thing we can do is to love ourselves and love one another. So let’s be freaking radical.”
Kesha ended with a heartfelt thanks:
“Thank you for being my home, and thank you for having me be a part of your beautiful community—our beautiful community. I don’t know where I would be without this community.”
🌈 A Night of Love and Pride
Kesha wasn’t the only one honored that night. The Center also celebrated Susie Scher, a top advisor at Goldman Sachs, and Ruth Jacks, a leader at Wells Fargo.
Before the event, Bob the Drag Queen shared her excitement about honoring Kesha. “I’m a big fan of Kesha. I love what she stands for. I love what she’s come through,” Bob said on the red carpet. “I’m just honored to be up there on stage honoring someone who’s given so much of themselves through their music, their art, and their public struggles.”
💬 Final Thoughts
Kesha’s speech wasn’t just words—it was a call to action. In a world that can feel scary and unfair, she reminded everyone in the room (and those of us reading from afar) to stay strong, love loud, and be proud.
Let’s be real: Kesha didn’t just receive an award—she gave us all something even better. A reminder to keep going, keep fighting, and most importantly, keep being ourselves. 💖
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