Kesha removed the dollar sign from her name in an effort to be taken more seriously, it has been claimed.

The singer sported the sign for a number of years, but dropped it after entering rehab for eating disorder issues in early 2014.

Speaking to Bang Showbiz, Kesha's friend Lady Lloyd said the decision was made in an effort to move on from the past.

She said: "I hope she goes back to her old ways when we go out because we have a great time, but I think she's now trying to change her image because she doesn't get to release the best songs.

"On her albums, there's gorgeous ballads but she hasn't released one yet! The management [stop] her and don't her release them, but that damages her sales a bit because people think she's a one-trick pony.

"That's why she's dropped the dollar sign in her name because she's going for a bit more of a [mature] image. It's all about proving yourself and she wants people to see she can be deeper."

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