Kesha Tears Up During Moving Speech About Showing Up For Yourself

While accepting the Trailblazer Award at the Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony on Friday, Kesha held back tears as she delivered a heart-wrenching thank you speech.

“I’ve realized through a long roller-coaster ride of ups and downs that if I’m lucky enough to have a voice that someone will listen to, then I should use it for good. For truth,” she said.

The singer spoke about her eating disorder and how recovery has empowered her to help others. “When I was very very sick and getting sicker, I’d hear about how better and better I was looking. And that is a problem. I’ve decided I want to be part of that solution. That’s why I’ve decided to stand confident in my ever-changing, totally imperfect body and try to live up to and practice the self-worth and self-love that I preach in my music.”

She goes on to say how “mind-blowing” it was “to be honored like this after a very public year [she’s] had.”

Kesha has been in the limelight most over the past year for her embroilment with Dr. Luke and the sexual assault case she filed against him. She has also been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness.

Her speech continued with the advice to the crowd that: “If you keep showing up for yourself, you can move mountains ... Do not let anyone else take your happiness.”

You can watch the Billboard’s Women In Music special on Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime.