Kesha’s Powerful Performance Brought #TimesUp to Grammy Stage

Introduced by Janelle Monae, who gave a speech about the #TimesUp movement, Kesha took the stage with several other female singers including Cyndi Lauper, Camilla Cabello and Bebe Rexha to perform a powerful rendition of her song “Praying” from her album Rainbow.

“I am proud to stand in solidarity… with my fellow sisters in this room who make up the music industry,” Janelle Monae said in her introduction. “To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: time’s up.”

Each of the women on stage wore white and crooned alongside Kesha.

People on Twitter were not only in awe of Kesha’s performance, but also upset that earlier in the evening she lost in both of the Grammy categories where she garnered a nomination.

Thank you, Kesha.

— Broderick Greer (@BroderickGreer) January 29, 2018

That Kesha performance was something special. Fuck yes

— Alexander William (@AlexAllTimeLow) January 29, 2018

damn kesha just made me tear up. 😢

— Yousef Saleh Erakat (@fousey) January 29, 2018

kesha. that is all.

— Demandy Richards (@amandakater) January 29, 2018

I’m thrilled Kesha is having this moment. I’m sobbing. #GRAMMYs

— Shannon Miller (@Phunky_Brewster) January 29, 2018

.@KeshaRose, I salute you. Thank you for putting your heart in your music. #TimesUp #GRAMMYs

— PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) January 29, 2018

Kesha won the Grammys.

— The Pork Chop Vanessa Hudgens Lip-Synched Against (@Neil_McNeil) January 29, 2018

Fuck the hyprocritical academy for having Kesha perform while giving her award to that awful troll who didn’t even show. Disgusting.

— Matt Stopera (@mattstopera) January 29, 2018

If you weren’t mad about Kesha being robbed before, you should be absolutely furious now #Grammys

— Hugh McIntyre (@PopBangHugh) January 29, 2018

Kesha was in a prolonged legal battle with music producer Dr. Luke, who she alleged sexually and physically abused her.

Lady Gaga also mentioned the #TimesUp movement in her performance earlier in the telecast. #TimesUp and #MeToo were also a big part of the 2018 Golden Globes telecast. While several women who won Golden Globes that night brought up the movement, no men who won a Golden Globe brought up either movement.