"The goal of everything I do these days is to live a joyful life in my body, in my power, presently, with gratitude, inauthenticity." — Kesha
"It's like spiritually and conceptually such a weird, it's like such a weird concept that somebody else can own a something that's coming from inside of my body like that so weird and it just never, I never like could understand it really like spiritually speaking." — Kesha
"I feel like I'm just so for the first time in a long time I feel so safe in my body and in the world and I know that's maybe a crazy thing to say because the world is crazy um but it's the first time that I've ever felt this and so I would like to create safe places for people whatever that means." — Kesha
The episode features a profound conversation between Alex Cooper and Grammy-nominated artist Kesha, delving into Kesha's extensive journey of personal growth and artistic evolution. Kesha shares her experiences with samurai training as a method of healing and listening to her body, contrasting it with her initial career focus. She reflects on her early aspirations of studying religion and her continued fascination with human behavior and belief systems, highlighting the importance of community. The discussion progresses to Kesha's daily rituals, including gratitude meditations and embracing her body, which she describes as an act of resistance against societal pressures and past criticisms. This leads into a powerful narrative about her nine-year legal battle for the rights to her own voice and likeness, and the emotional toll it took, including feelings of loneliness, fear, and the public scrutiny of her personal life.
Kesha elaborates on the industry's perception of female artists, particularly how joy and authenticity can be dismissed, and the societal expectation for women to suppress anger. She recounts an instance where she felt compelled to cancel a tour and start a band to express her frustration, emphasizing that anger can be an indicator of boundary violations. The conversation touches upon the concept of "queer church" as a safe space she aims to create, acknowledging her deep gratitude and debt to the queer community. She addresses misconceptions about her, emphasizing her current state of self-assuredness and freedom from past fears. Kesha also candidly discusses her dating life, her current celibacy (with exceptions for Italy), and the lessons learned from past relationships, including toxic traits and the realization that she seeks a true partnership.
The latter part of the interview focuses on Kesha's journey of reclaiming her sexuality and body image, moving from external validation to internal self-love. She details how she has learned to challenge impossible societal standards and embrace aging. The discussion highlights her resilience through personal challenges, including a torn ACL and the emotional weight of an engagement cancellation, emphasizing the importance of gut feelings and honoring one's truth. Kesha shares insights into her new music and the "Freedom Tour," which serves as a narrative of her life's work, trauma, and ultimate liberation. The episode concludes with Kesha expressing profound gratitude to her fans and her desire to continue creating safe spaces for authentic self-expression, underscoring a powerful message of resilience and hope.