Fiercely private pop powerhouse Christina Aguilera has paid tribute to her producer hubby in a tearful television interview – crediting her romance with Jordan Bratman with helping her overcome her troubled childhood with an abusive father.

The singer married Jordan in November 2005 and the couple share a 19-month-old son, Max. Growing up without a father figure in her life, Christina can barely find words to describe what an outstanding father Jordan has been to their son.

In a tearful TV interview, she tells E! Online: “I grew up not having any real male perspective or role model and Jordan just continuously makes me fall deeper and deeper in love with him everyday. He just exudes such love and is such a great father to Max that it just makes me the happiest woman alive. I’m just lucky to have him in my life… Every couple has times when they disagree, but I never allow any arguments to escalate in front of Max.”

Catch the full interview September 2 on E!