Queen Latifah 'was sexually abused'

Queen Latifah has revealed that she was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.

The Chicago native confessed that a male babysitter took advantage of her when she was young.

"He violated me. I never told anybody. I just buried it as deeply as I could and kept people at an arm's length," she told Essence.

The actress, 39, also admitted that her troubled past has caused problems in her relationships as a result.

"I never really let a person get too close to me. I could have been married years ago, but I had a commitment issue," she added.

Earlier this year, Latifah signed up to star in forthcoming rom-com Just Right.