CHRISTINA Aguilera says living with an abusive father helped her become a successful singer.

CHRISTINA Aguilera says living with an abusive father helped her become a successful singer.

The singer star was the victim of domestic abuse when she was growing up and also regularly witnessed her father Fausto attack her mother Shelly.

Christina turned to music to help her cope with the trauma, and insists it was her tough upbringing that inspired her to follow her dream.

"I witnessed a lot of unpleasant things, a lot of pushing and shoving and fighting and quarrelling. Growing up I did not feel safe.

"Feeling powerless is the worst feeling in the world. I turned to singing as an outlet. The pain at home is where my love for music came from."

Shelly eventually left her husband when she found a four-year-old Christina covered in blood.

Shelly revealed in a TV documentary: "I scooped her up and said, 'Oh my God. What's wrong?' She told me, 'Daddy wanted to take a nap and I made too much noise.'''

Fausto has since begged for forgiveness but the Candyman singer has refused to have any contact with him. - Bang