AceShowbiz -

Ariana Grande has fiercely defended fellow singer Kesha (formerly Ke$ha) who is in the middle of a legal battle against her longtime producer Dr. Luke. Emphasizing the double standard in music industry, the "One More Time" crooner thought a male singer would never be put in Kesha's situation.

"I love Kesha. I worked with her when I was a lot younger," Grande said in an interview with Carson Daly. "I support her, regardless of what's going on." The 22-year-old singer said despite their friendship she was in the dark about the abuse allegations.

Kesha asked to be released from her contract with Dr. Luke, citing sexual, emotional and physical abuse as reasons. However, a judge denied her request and set in motion a national debate about female artists' struggle in entertainment industry. Adele, Lady GaGa, Demi Lovato, Lena Dunham and many more have stood behind Kesha in support.

"The incredible double standards that we face, on a daily basis, in the industry and just in the world, it's shocking," Grande continued. "I would be so amused, and pardon me if this is ... if this comes across as sexist, but I don't think a male artist would be in this position right now. Sorry."

She also told Daly that she's "willing to take the brunt for fighting for what I believe in, and my fellow women are definitely something that I will always be one of the first to speak up about."