Growing up most of us were told that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' 'beauty is only skin deep,' or that 'all God's children are beautiful,' but for Marc Anthony, it was tough love and brutal honesty that came from his father who called him "ugly," according to the talented New York-born, Puerto Rican singer.

During an interview with Meredith Vieira on "The Meredith Vieira Show" on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Anthony admitted that his father, Felipe Muñiz, told him he was "ugly" growing up, but that he did it for a reason.

"My dad told me early on, he said, 'Son, we're both ugly,'" the 46-year-old admitted. "I swear to God, he says it to this day. And he goes, 'You work on your personality. It builds character.'"

Needless to say, Anthony indeed has a lot of character and tons of talent, and he may not be the model-type, but he's been doing just fine with the ladies.

Anthony has been romantically involved with a string of Latin beauties from his first wife, Puerto Rican actress Dayanara Torres, his second wife New York-born, Puerto Rican superstar Jennifer Lopez and his current wife, Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima.

Hopefully, Anthony will be honest with his own children, but will use a different, gentler approach when it comes to advising them.  

(The Maestro Cares Foundation's co-founder shared his affection for his children as well as disadvantaged children in Latin America in an exclusive interview with Latin Post during The Maestro Cares Foundation's Second Annual "Changing Lives, Building Dreams" gala fundraiser last week in New York.)

The comment about his father came up while Anthony was discussing his ex-wife Lopez and his new wife, de Lima, who he recently wed in November.

Vieira inquired as to how he got Lima; Anthony responded: "It's just marketing. I am just great at marketing. I was born with this mug piece -- I'm skinny and stuttering."

Is Anthony scarred by his father's comments?

"Absolutely not," before explaining, "Because I was born looking at his face and he was right."

Not exactly, Papá! Viera thinks Anthony is sexy!

On Feb. 24, Veira tweeted: "He's sweet and sexy - @MarcAnthony's on the show today! I loved the advice he got from his dad...let me know what you think! @MeredithShow"

The interview was also revealing about Anthony's ex-wife Lopez with whom he has 7-year-old twins, Max and Emme. What does he think of Lopez's book "True Love," which touches upon the end of their relationship?

"I read many iterations of it along the way. We are close that way and we trust each other," he said. "I was proud of her [for writing the book]. I know what it takes and I know her very very well. I just did everything in my power to be supportive of her. I was really really proud of her only because I know what it took for her to open up like that."

And his thoughts on the break-up of their seven-year marriage?

He may be open about his father's parenting skills and his looks, but not when it comes to his intimate relationship with JLo.

"I don't talk about it much as a whole; I just think that's private," he said. "I really, really do and I never have and I'm not sure I ever will. I don't think it's for public consumption. It's hard enough as it is."

On Saturday, Lopez shared an adorable family selfie that included her, Anthony and the twins as they celebrated the kids' 7th birthday.

Check out clips featuring Marc Anthony on "The Meredith Vieira Show," which aired on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015.