KESHA: POP PHILOSOPHER

VALŪS Media Inc.
Oct 13
6 min read

The music legend and VALŪS inaugural cover star discusses her future, the right to self-expression, and how freedom fuels art, all from inside the iconic Sunset Marquis in the heart of West Hollywood

From VALŪS Issue No.1 Autumn 2025 print edition - order your copies today!

Written by Jo Rosenthal

Kesha’s music can be heard across the globe at any given time of day, immediately evoking the atmosphere of an era where house parties defined a generation, glitter symbolized rebellion, and pop music carried an unapologetic honesty.

KESHA wears a mini-dress and cloak by Phan Huy, gloves by Dolce & Gabanna, tights by Wolford, bracelets by Alexis Bittar, rings by Keren Wolf, and booties by Lubello Firenze

“I always wanted my songs to feel bigger than just the radio,” the superstar tells us via video call on a brisk New York afternoon, which was a warm evening for her in Greece where she was busy filming a new music video. “They were meant to be the soundtrack for defiance, and they had to sound good on the dance floor, too.”

In the broader pop-cultural landscape, Kesha’s catalogue of songs weave together moments of chaos and delight, transforming them into something lasting, and ultimately reflecting the tension between a loud escape and a quiet inner peace. Her rise to stardom coincides with a moment when pop was both critiqued and celebrated for its excess, and she always leans fully into that contradiction.

“I never shied away from the messiness,” Kesha says, “because magic usually lives in the mess.” Through that philosophy, she not only carved out her own space in music history but also gave voice to a generation unafraid to welcome both chaos and beauty.

Reflecting on the first 15 years of her career, Kesha is candid about how overwhelming the experience often felt, from the violation of email hacking to the relentless presence of non-consensual paparazzi. “There were moments where it felt like my life wasn’t even mine,” she says. But rather than allowing those invasions to define her, she transformed them into fuel for authenticity.

By choosing to live openly and without shame, Kesha discovered what she calls a form of freedom, or, “the highest vibration a person can exist in.” It is from this place of resilience that she encourages others to embrace their own “iconic selves,” and to shed the weight of expectation, to step fully into authenticity as both a personal and creative act. “But that was my message the whole time,” she tells us with a laugh.

KESHA wears a gown by Maison Margiela, a corset by Wiederhoeft, and a headpiece by Florentina Leitner

What perhaps has changed is not the core of Kesha’s messaging but the way it resonates, and what it means to her currently, as an artist. What once sounded like surface-level fun now reads as a sustained philosophy of survival and self-definition. In that sense, her evolution is less about reinvention and more about revealing the truth that was always there.

Kesha speaks passionately about the right to self-expression, describing writing music and creating art as a “fundamental human right.” Having once faced the loss of the legal rights to her voice, she frames artistic freedom as both personal and universal. This conviction fuels projects like her upcoming app, which she says was built around the belief that everyone deserves the chance to tell their story through music.

“Art is proof of life,” Kesha states matter-of-factly. To her, anything is possible, intuition is sacred, and freedom is the point of life itself.

The influence of family also runs deep in Kesha’s story, particularly through her mother, Pebe Sebert, a single parent and an accomplished songwriter. Growing up in a creative atmosphere, Kesha viewed songwriting not only as a profession but as a family trade, as well as an inherited superpower.

“My mom always told me not to think about ‘if’ success would come, but ‘when,’” Kesha recalls. That mindset became the foundation of her pursuit of an international career, and today she honors that legacy by teaching songwriting as a practice of self-discovery, describing it as a process that opens the heart.

KESHA wears a Ren Haixi, jewelry by Keren Wolf, tights by Calzedonia, and shoes by Schiaparelli

Now, with her own record label, Kesha Records, the icon shares exciting news: the first release beyond her own work will be her mother Pebe’s album, built from long-lost tapes recorded in the 1980s. For Kesha, the project represents a full-circle moment, a way of recognizing the creative lineage that shaped her, while giving her mother’s artistry the spotlight it has always deserved. More than a personal milestone, the release showcases the enduring bond between mother and daughter, two songbirds bound by both blood and a shared belief in the transformative power of music.

Kesha is a practitioner of gratitude meditation, pausing to center herself in moments. Likewise, journaling has become a tool for moving through the world with awareness. She describes self-love as her greatest mission, rooted in treating oneself with kindness, grace, and patience. Her hope is that by wrapping her life in love, she’ll inspire others to embrace themselves fully.

When the conversation turned to philosophy, Kesha is clear-eyed about the values that guide her. Trusting intuition, listening to the inner-voice, and following gut-instinct have become her compasses. “Freedom is the point of life,” she says, firmly, framing liberation not only as a personal value but as the foundation of how she creates, how she connects, and how she lives.

A topic often mixed nowadays with philosophy, Kesha is thoughtful when it comes to her online presence, acknowledging the tension so many feel between an urge to share and the need to protect privacy. She knows how social media plays into the human desire to be liked. But the key, she says, is balance.

“Some parts of life have to stay sacred,” Kesha relates, emphasizing the importance of checking in with yourself and holding onto what feels too precious to be put on display, because not everything has to be broadcasted. Her perspective on the music industry also reflects that. She speaks with genuine love for fellow artists, calling them “invaluable,” and insisting that they be supported and safeguarded. While the business often frames artistry as a battle royale, Kesha thinks of artists existing to inspire one another. That spirit of solidarity is especially strong among women, she adds, where collaboration and authenticity create great art and enduring communities.

KESHA wears a coat by TOM FORD, a micro top and shorts by The Dolls House, lingerie by Los Angeles Apparel, leg warmers by MERSHY, and shoes by Paris Texas

As for what comes next, Kesha is balancing the present with the future. She hints at a secret project expected in the coming months, further developing her app, and preparing for her upcoming international tour. When it comes to defining success, she no longer measures it by external validation. Instead, she frames it as the ability to feel happiness and pride in her work. She points to her album with producer and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, Rick Rubin, as a prime example. “It wasn’t commercially huge,” she admits, “but I’m in awe of the art we created.”

That philosophy extends to Kesha’s work with emerging artists. Recently, she launched a competition around her song Attention which drew submissions from more than 44 countries and in dozens of languages. The response reinforced her own belief in the power of music to bring folks together. Her advice to young artists is quite direct: “Lean into what makes you uniquely you. Nobody wants cookie-cutter bullshit anymore.”

When asked about her own strengths, Kesha doesn’t hesitate. She describes being connected to her higher purpose, “blissfully unaware of what other people think about me,” a quality she calls a “beautiful, divine ignorance.” In a candid moment, Kesha reveals her favorite dessert: mochi ice cream, beloved for its chewy texture and the simple comfort it brings. Which is a fitting end note; For an artist who has built a career on contradictions, grit, and defiance, there is a refreshing clarity and sweetness in where she stands today.

Kesha has always wanted to make you dance, but her goal is for you to feel free and to love yourself. As an artist, Kesha has poured so much goodness back into the world, reminding us that joy and freedom are values always worth dancing for.