Dressed in white and accompanied by five fellow female artists, pop singer Kesha took the spotlight at the Grammys on Sunday to deliver a powerful ballad as part of the Time's Up movement to end workplace sexual harassment.

Kesha, 30, who has been battling her former record producer Dr. Luke for years in US courts over allegations of emotional and sexual abuse, performed her defiant single "Praying"alongside Cyndi Lauper, Andra Day, Camila Cabello, Bebe Rexha and Julia Michaels and an all-female choir.

Dr. Luke has repeatedly denied Kesha's allegations.

Actress and musician Janelle Monae introduced Kesha, calling for the music industry as a whole to "create safe work environments, equal pay and access for all women." "We come in peace but we mean business. And to those who would dare try to silence us, we offer you two words: Time's up," Monae said as the audience applauded.

The Time's Up movement was launched by more than 300 Hollywood industry figures earlier this month in response to sexual assault and harassment allegations against powerful men in entertainment, politics and other fields.

"It's not just going on in Hollywood or in Washington. It's right here in our industry as well. Just as we have the power to shape culture, we also have the power to undo the culture that does not serve us well," Monae said.

"Praying" is the lead single from "Rainbow," Kesha's first album in five years following her bitter legal fight over her record contract.

"You brought the flames and you put me through hell; I had to learn how to fight for myself," Kesha sang.

The singer broke down in tears at the end of her performance and hugged the artists accompanying her on stage.

Host James Corden, with tears in his eyes, said, "Music often resonates more than the spoken word ever could."

SUPPORT, BUT NO AWARD

Despite the rousing reception, Kesha was passed over for the awards. She was not nominated in major categories and came up short for the two pop prizes for which she was in the running. Both "Praying" and "Rainbow" were nominated for Grammy awards this year but lost to Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" song and "Divide" album in the pop categories.

Some artists considered the lack of Grammys a snub. Rising young pop singer Daya said that Kesha's performance left her in tears.

"'Praying' is a beautiful song in meaning and delivery and should've been a no brainer" for a Grammy, Daya tweeted.

"Praying" was the lead single off Kesha's third album "Rainbow," a lush work with mournful piano and strings, and lyrical explorations about her struggles with self-image.

The sound was a far cry from the light, dance-pop hits that launched Kesha's career such as "Tik Tok" and "Die Young." Before the Grammys, Kesha tweeted that she was nervous to perform, adding: "I needed this song in a very real way." "If you need it, I hope this song finds you," she wrote.

SOLIDARITY BY ROSES

In another sign of support for #MeToo movement, attendees including pop superstar Lady Gaga wore white roses in solidarity with survivors of abuse and in a call for gender equality.

"Time's up," Lady Gaga, who has confided her own experience of assault, whispered from her piano bench in between ballads.

The rapper Logic later issued a passionate call for women's rights at the close of his suicide prevention song, "1-800-273-8255." Women, he declared, "are stronger than any man I've ever met." "And unto them, I say stand tall and crush all predators under the weight of your heart that is full of the love they will never take away from you."