Tina Arena: 'I'll be an honest judge on 'Young Talent Time'

Tina Arena has revealed that she will be an "honest" judge on Channel Ten's revamped Young Talent Time.

The 44-year-old Australian singer, who shot to fame with hit song 'Chains' after appearing on the original version of the talent show, said that she wants to be a kind but realistic mentor for the contestants.

Arena told National Features: "I am not a great bulls**t artist... I never have been. I think it is important that the kids are surrounded by a lot of love but also honesty. They need a sense of realism."

She also revealed that her career has had its ups and downs.

"I knew the journey was going to be tough," Arena said. "I was certainly under no illusions, even when I was young. That decision to be part of [Young Talent Time] back then put me on the most incredible journey of life. I wouldn't have been able to have all the experiences - good, mediocre, some really s**thouse ones personally and professionally [without it]."

Arena also admitted that she used to experience bitterness towards her parents for them spending so much time running a nursing home during her childhood.

"I've had some real issues of abandonment," she said. "Deep anger towards my parents for devoting so much time to the community... why was it them over us?"

She also said that she suffered "really crippling" racial taunts growing up, saying that she was "made to feel insecure and worthless".

Young Talent Time will also be judged by US choreographer Chucky Klapow, who previously worked with Michael Jackson. It will be hosted by former Australian Idol contestant Rob Mills.

Young Talent Time premieres on January 22 at 6.30pm on Channel Ten.

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Watch Tina Arena's 'Chains' video below: