Multi-platinum artist Alicia Keys has opened up about her scandalised love life for the new issue of Essence magazine in the US.

After being branded a ‘home wrecker’ by some media and bloggers Alicia is maintaining that she did nothing wrong and that her husband, Swizz Beatz, was completely separated from his ex-wife before they got together.

‘We didn’t start seeing each other until months after they had separated,’ she said.

‘I was aware of all the false things that were being said about me it definitely hurt,’ added the 30-year-old.

Alicia married Swizz, real name Kasseem Dean, in July last year in Corsica while she was six months pregnant with his child.

Swizz, a music producer, was previously married to the No Panties R&B singer Mashonda Tifrere, 33, whom he has a son with.

The union between Alicia and Swizz exploded in the media when Tifrere posted a letter online saying that Alicia  had ‘assisted in destroying a family,’ and did a series of ‘tell-all’ interviews.

Swizz and Tifrere’s divorce was finalised in May 2010 and Alicia and Swizz announced engagement less than a month later. Bloggers went wild, accusing Alicia of being a home-wrecker and calling her names.

She remained tight-lipped throughout the episode.

‘I was sure that if I engaged it would become back-and-forth like some sick entertainment, which goes against everything I believe and would have made things worse,’ said Alicia.

Wife No. 1: The music producer with R&B singer Mashonda Tifrere in 2005

After months of aggravation Alicia remained silent but now, she says, she is finally at peace with Tifrere, who recently posted thanks for her ‘beautiful blended family’ and accepted Alicia as a ‘partner’ in caring for her son.

Things are really good now,’ said Alicia who also revealed that her love with Dean is ‘intoxicating and whole’.

Swizz has another child with British singer Jahna Sebastian, who was conceived while he was still married to Tifrere.

‘Kasseem is very present in his children’s lives. I wouldn’t be able to love him otherwise,’ said the 14-time Grammy winner

‘We are doing what is best for the children,’ she added.

Often interview-shy Alicia also revealed that she has being living by advice from Oprah Winfrey for many years:

‘She whispered in my ear and said “Keep some of you for you”,’ she recalled.

The musician, actress and mother launched her first album, Songs in A Minor, ten years ago – it sold twelve million copies.

Her son with Swizz, Egypt, was born in October. He is named after the African country because Alicia took a trip there to release the pressure and stress of her success.