Ke$ha's mom says singer 'almost died' from eating disorder

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Ke$ha's mom has spoken out about her daughter's battle with an eating disorder.

Pebe Sebert told People on Monday that the 26-year-old singer had a very serious reaction to 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," Sebert, who recently entered the same rehab facility for "post-traumatic stress disorder," told the mag.

"The doctors told me her blood pressure and sodium levels were so low, they'd 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 said.

Sebert also criticized Ke$ha's former manager, David Sonenberg, saying he constantly berated the singer about her weight. Sonenberg denies the claims.

Ke$ha is still in rehab, while "Timber," her No. 1 collaboration with Pitbull, holds fast to the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. She checked into a Chicago facility shortly after the New Year.

“I’m a crusader for being yourself and loving yourself, but I’ve found it hard to practice," she said in a statement. "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."

[People, Just Jared]