Kesha gearing up for a 'big' performance at the Billboard Awards

Kesha is reportedly preparing a "statement performance" for the 2016 Billboard Music Awards which will reference her legal battles with producer Dr. Luke.

Sources close to the Tik Tok singer say she is gearing up for a headline performance during the show, which will be broadcast on 22 May (16) from Las Vegas. She is also planning to make direct references to the ongoing legal battle with her former mentor and producer, according to TMZ.com.

The show will be broadcast on ABC, and Dr. Luke, who the singer has accused of sexual and emotional assault, will most probably also be in attendance for one of the music industry's biggest nights.

The news comes days after Kesha was praised for her powerful performance of song Lady Gaga's song Til It Happens To You.The singer fought back tears as she struggled through a powerful rendition of the Oscar-nominated track at The Humane Society of the United States Los Angeles Gala on Saturday (07May16).

Kesha's performance was accompanied by images and video footage of caged animals displayed on a big screen onstage, and she received a standing ovation from the celebrity crowd as she completed the track, which first featured on the soundtrack to The Hunting Ground, a documentary about sexual assaults on college campuses.

Lady Gaga heaped praise on Kesha's rendition, "Killed it @KeshaRose. I could feel your pain," Gaga tweeted. "Girl these boys won't be in charge forever. The wisdom of women is rising. Let's get louder".

Gaga, who has previously opened up about being raped at the start of her career, has been one of Kesha's most loyal supporters since 2014, when she first filed her suit against Dr. Luke. The producer, real name Lukasz Gottwald, has vehemently denied all allegations.