Get to Know the Real Kesha

As kids, we all heard the old, tired adage again and again: "Don't judge a book by its cover!" Whenever I heard it, I know I always rolled my eyes, nodded, and shrugged. After all, if the book was worth reading, why would it choose to represent itself in a negative light or purposefully look unappealing?! But, as you get older, you realize that the cliched statement actually holds water. You understand that sometimes, people, like books, present themselves in a way that makes them seem off-putting or unapproachable and it's simply because they don't feel comfortable with who they really are. Which is the surprising situation that pop singer Kesha writes about in a new essay about her rehab stay.

Kesha understands that the reason why it's so hard for us to grasp that she wasn't happy with herself was because of her outspoken lyrics and party anthems that preached self-love and independence, no matter the cost. But clearly, after checking into rehab for an eating disorder in January of 2014, the wild child singer knew she wasn't exactly living that lyrical truth. "I've always been a crusader for loving yourself," she pens in tell-all essay in Elle UK, "but I'd been finding it harder and harder to do personally." That sentiment and her feelings of hypocrisy are what led her to finally admit herself into a rehab facility.

In the eye-opening essay, Kesha not only details her struggle of needing to feel "skinny" at the expense of her mental and physical health, but the pressure she felt to be someone who she's not — something she's felt since a very young age. Another surprising tidbit comes when Kesha writes about the partying version on herself seen in her music videos (you know, brushing her teeth with a bottle of Jack), versus how she acts in real life. She reveals, "Sure, I've written songs about partying, but my dirty little secret is that I'm actually incredibly responsible. I take my music and career very seriously, and certainly didn't land in this position from partying."

The main point Kesha tries to get across in her essay in addition to her confession about her real self, is that she was only able to live her truth by admitting she was spiraling and she needed help. She delves into the rehab experience and how it not only got her back in tune with who she really was, but how it also made her regain her confidence. She hopes that her story will help others who are hurting like she was. "This is an uncomfortable story for me to share but if one person seeks help after reading this, I'm happy I have. I feel stronger now," she asserts.

I don't know about you, but I'm really liking this new, or rather, true, Kesha. Dollar sign-less, honest, level headed, and compassionate are things that look quite good on you, girlfriend. Plus, it's pretty amazing to be able to admit and own your faults in such a detailed essay, so she doesn't even need the supposed partying to be accepted. Because clearly, she's finally accepted herself. She's responsible, hardworking, and outspoken just like she should be. Rock on, Kesha.

Image: Getty Images