As Ke$ha heals at a treatment facility in Lemont, Ill., for an eating disorder, her mother, Pebe Sebert, is speaking out about the singer's battle with anorexia and bulimia, CBS News reported.
Sebert told People that before entering Timberline Knolls rehab center, the same treatment facility Demi Lovato went to for her addictions and eating disorder, the 26-year-old musician almost died due to the constant scrutiny about her weight.
"I've watched my beautiful, self-confident, brilliant daughter be berated and ridiculed for her looks and weight to the point that she almost died," she said.
Sebert said that before being admitted into rehab, Ke$ha's blood pressure and sodium levels were dangerously low and that doctors had "never seen it that low except with someone who'd had a heart attack or stroke. They said it was a miracle she hadn't already dropped dead on stage."
Sebert told People that Ke$ha had been battling body issues during middle school and high school, but they had gotten worse since she entered the spotlight in 2010. She said her daughter received intense criticism from her longtime producer Dr. Luke and former manager David Sonenberg.
Sonenberg allegedly urged the singer to shed pounds no matter what it took.
"One time on a conference call, Sonenberg was screaming, 'You need to lose weight! I don't care what you do ... take drugs, not eat, stick your finger down your throat!'" Sebert told People.
Dr. Luke, the pop hitmaker who has written huge songs for Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and Jessie J, was just as hurtful.
"He has just always been very disrespectful about her weight. He'd say it in certain ways, like 'Why don't you try running?' She was doing everything and not getting thin fast enough, and that's when she first became bulimic," Sebert added.
The pressure to lose weight sometimes left Ke$ha weeping and contemplating suicide, People reported.
"At this point, she doesn't care if she ever makes a record again. She just wants to be healthy and happy," Sebert said.
Dr. Luke and Sonenberg denied these claims that they bullied ke$ha about her weight.
Dr. Luke added that it was " unfortunate that at a time Ke$ha is suffering immensely and trying to heal at a treatment center, her mother is taking this approach with the media," he said. "I give Ke$ha my utmost support and well wishes for a quick return to health."
Ke$ha announced on Jan. 4 that she was seeking 30-day treatment for her eating disorder.
"I'm a crusader for being yourself and loving yourself but I've found it hard to practice. I'll be unavailable for the next 30 days, seeking treatment for my eating disorder ... to learn to love myself again. Exactly as I am," she said in a statement.
