Hip-hop star Missy Elliott cites her mother's independence following her divorce as the reason she is single.

The rapper, who has been without a partner for a long time, witnessed her mom become a stronger person after she separated from her dad.

Missy says, "She was so dependent on my father and felt she could do nothing without him."

"But when she got up and left she was stronger than ever before. I learned from that."

"I think I'm happiest by myself. I know that's crazy - people don't want to die alone. But most of my friends are in relationships and they're miserable. They call me on the phone, like, 'He did this!' 'She did that!' I'm like, 'Wow, is anybody happy?'"