Kesha: 'I was so hungry I felt faint at the height of eating disorder battle'

Pop star Kesha has opened up about her eating disorder battle, which landed her in rehab at the beginning of last year (14), telling Vogue magazine she went to "a dark place" and needed help.

The Tik Tok star completed her rehabilitation last spring (14) but has never spoken about her issues.

Now, in a candid interview with the fashion glossy, the singer says, "I've had a lot of ups and downs. It's been quite a journey."

She adds, "There was a lot of not eating and I started to think being hungry to the point of feeling almost faint was a positive thing. The worse it got, the more positive feedback I was getting. Inside I was really unhappy, but outside, people were like, 'Wow, you look great'.

"I was singing these songs like We R Who We R, and I really believed them. I wanted to be genuine. But I was sad."

And when a therapist suggested she should check in to a rehab facility, Kesha knew it was time: "She (therapist) said, 'I think it's time we take a moment to address this'.

"I called my mum one night and I told her, 'I need help'. I went to an eating-disorder specific rehab site, where a nutritionist taught me that food is a positive thing for your body. I realised being healthy is the most important thing I can do for myself."

But the hitmaker admits she still struggles with body image issues, adding, "I'm trying to embrace the skin I'm in. It's difficult sometimes. Every day I have to look in the mirror and make the choice to be kind to myself. This is who I am. I have to love that.

"Part of being healthy is being positive. I don't pay attention to the Internet or bloggers. I surround myself with positive people. I run a few miles on the beach every day, and I got into Transcendental Meditation to try to find some peace in my crazy life."