'We Stan!': Kesha tells Jan Sport how she found 'solace' and inspiration in the LGBTQ+ community to be herself
Popstar Kesha joined RuPaul's Drag Race Queen, Jan Sport, to talk ‘Raising Hell,’ looking up to Big Freedia and creating safe spaces with her music in World of Wonder's intimate new interview series celebrating LBGTQIA+ Pride 'We Stan!'.
'We Stan!' features fan-favorite RuPaul's Drag Race Queens sitting down for intimate conversations with top musical icons to discuss their support and love for the LGBTQ+ community, celebrate Pride and deep dive into their legendary careers. In remembrance of the Stonewall riots of 1969, each episode of 'We Stan!' supported a different philanthropic organization, allowing fans to donate to a charity selected by the featured artist.
'We Stan!' follows World of Wonder’s live stream concert event in partnership with the official non-profit charitable organization of The Stonewall Inn, The Stonewall Gives Back Initiative, benefiting the LGBTQ+ nightlife industry directly impacted by COVID-19. The event featured top artists including Betty Who, Kristin Chenoweth, MUNA, Todrick Hall, Troye Sivan, and more.
In the latest episode of 'We Stan!', which featured Jan clad in a stunning recreation of Kesha’s 2018 Billboard Music Awards bohemian 'lewk', Kesha dished on some of her hits as well as what being an LGBTQIA+ icon means to her. Speaking about her collaboration with Big Freedia on the hit song ‘Raising Hell,' the Grammy-nominated pop star shared, "That was a dream. Big Freedia is someone I’ve looked up to for so long. Talk about an iconic human being that just plows through genre and barriers and she is unapologetically herself. It is so inspiring and it was so much fun."
The singer spoke about being from the South and feeling sexually confused and having that be a major reason for why she creates music to encourage people to be "proud of who they are," in addition to celebrating their identities instead of having to hide them. Kesha and Jan also bonded over their religious backgrounds and Catholic school education, with Jan revealing that Kesha’s music inspired her to be proud of herself and who she was in high school. Kesha shared that she herself was inspired by all LGBTQ+ artists because "being yourself and being proud of who you are is something that can be really difficult." She also stated that the inspiration behind 'We Are Who We Are' was her dedication to equality and creating a safe space for anyone and everyone to feel comfortable, adding, "I remember thinking that I really need to specify that we are who we are and it was a little nerve-wracking because I didn’t know how the world would take it. And I’m so happy that the message that I put behind this song and the intention was received as such."
Speaking about the enduring popularity of her music, with 'Animal' still being a massive hit among the LGBTQIA+ community, Kesha stated that the community has been where she found "solace," in addition to helping her feel safe, accepted, and proud, adding that playing a Pride show feels "like f**king Christmas."
'We Stan!' is available exclusively on World of Wonder’s YouTube channel WOWPresents.