Paul Stanley found strength when he opened up about being bullied as a child.

KISS rocker Paul Stanley found speaking about his "painful" bullying at school made him a stronger person.

The KISS rocker - who was born with a deformed right ear and suffers from deafness as a result - was subjected to years of taunts by his classmates who referred to him as a "monster".

However, the rhythm guitarist found that speaking out about his "painful" past proved to be a "liberating" experience and helped him to find inner strength.

He told German newspaper Bild: "My childhood wasn't very happy and carefree. The other kids called me monster, it was horrible. When your childhood was so painful then you are going to hide yourself. But the problem is: You can have secrets from other people, but not from yourself."

"Nothing is more liberating than to get rid of your secret and start talking about it. Strength comes when you open up yourself and show who you really are, everything else is an illusion."

The 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' hitmaker also admitted that during his days in the 70s rock-band he hid behind his on-stage persona, 'Starchild'.

He said: "When I got older I let my hair grow to hide my ear and then I joined KISS and was hiding my face behind the figure 'Starchild'.

"Until 1990 some people knew that I was deaf on the right ear, but no one knew about my birth deformation."

While the 62-year-old rocker is known for his turbulent relationship with band co-founder Gene Simmons, he insists the bass guitarist is like a brother to him.

He explained: "It's like you would be married to someone, whom I never have to see naked - thank god! He's family, a brother but we want different things in life."

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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