The 'Fighter' singer filed for divorce from husband Jordan Bratman last month but she revealed that she thrives under duress and always emerges stronger than ever before.

The star ' who has previously claimed her father physically abused her as a child ' said: ' am one of those who is driven by people who tried to push me down, rather than being overcome by it. Even my past with my father and the abuse that went on, I developed a fighter outlook.'

The 29-year-old singer has recently admitted she is looking for a new love and she explained that sexuality is very important in her life.

She told Britain's InStyle magazine: 'Sexuality is such a freedom. Sexuality is where I feel a lot of times I get to express my voice. Throughout the ages, women are always shamed for it or labelled for it and so it makes me feel empowered to give it a voice and to stand up for it and to be strong about it.'

The singer has a two-year-old son Max with her estranged husband and although she is still focused on her career, she admitted she is looking forward to retirement and grandchildren already.

She said: ' hope to be an old woman sitting around in a rocking chair and then I'll get out all my awards and trophies and grandchildrens' pictures and enjoy them.'