Grammys

Kesha Sings 'Praying,' Bursts Into Tears After Emotional GRAMMYs Performance

By John Boone‍ 6:55 PM PST, January 28, 2018

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The 2018 GRAMMYs mark a number of important firsts for Kesha: Her first ever nominations and her very first performance on the GRAMMYs stage, a powerful rendition of "Praying" with Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels, Andra Day and Bebe Rexha.

After an introduction by Janelle Monáe -- "We come in peace, but we mean business," Monae declared while speaking about the Time's Up movement -- Kesha and her music industry sisters took the stage in all-white ensembles, with some holding hands in solidarity. It was quite the emotional performance for Kesha, but she hit every note with the backing of both new artists and music legends and a full gospel choir. As soon as the number ended, she burst into tears as everyone onstage moved to wrap her in a hug.

Kesha, GRAMMYs 2018 — Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NARAS

"This is a real solidarity moment. It's a Time's Up moment...We want equality. Equal pay. It's about time. We can change this. It's easy," Lauper told ET ahead of the show, revealing how proud she was to stand alongside Kesha. "I think that, unfortunately, a lot of people didn't believe her, which is sad. We fought the good fight in the 80's and thought people coming after us would have an easier time, but no. We're right back where we were."

Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson named Kesha as one of the founders of the movement while talking with ET on the red carpet. "Honestly, probably as far as entertainment wise, it probably led with Kesha. I remember years ago when that whole thing came out and it is something that happens not only in the music industry or with actors like whatever film industry whatever it is, it happens everywhere."

Following years of personal and professional upheaval, Kesha made her comeback last year with her album, Rainbow, and earned two GRAMMY nominations: Best Pop Solo Performance for "Praying" and Best Pop Vocal Album for Rainbow. (Ed Sheeran won both.)

Ahead of Sunday's show, Kesha said that she was "so proud and nervous and overwhelmed" to be performing.

"When I wrote 'Praying,' with Ben Abraham and Ryan Lewis, I just felt as if I had gotten a huge weight off of my shoulders," she wrote on Instagram. "It felt like an emotional raw victory for myself, one step closer to healing. I never could have known what would've happened these past few years. I just want to say that I needed this song in a very real way, I'm so proud and nervous and overwhelmed to be performing it at the GRAMMYs on Sunday, and if you need it I hope this song finds you."

She also shared this amazing flashback to the 2010 GRAMMY Awards, posing with Justin Bieber and being photobombed by Ringo Starr: