Russell Brand wanted kids with Katy Perry when they were married.

The pair tied the knot in October 2010 following a whirlwind romance and although Russell was ready to start a family, Katy wasn't as keen because she didn't want to sacrifice her pop career.

Katy - whose divorce from the comedian was finalized in February 2012 just a few months after Russell filed legal separation papers in December 2011 - said, "[Russell] really wanted me to have children, and I knew I wasn't ready. I think it was a way of control. I think it was part of, 'If I have a kid, then I would have to sacrifice - I'd have to be home more.' I really wanted to, but I knew I wasn't ready for it."

The "Roar" hitmaker - who is now in a committed relationship with musician John Mayer - insists she is still not ready to become a mother but when the time comes she wants to be a hands-on parent.

"I'm definitely not there yet, and I can't plan that far in advance. When I decide to have a family, I'll just want to be a mom for a little bit," Katy, 29, told the new issue of Marie Claire.

The singer also gushed about her "fantastic" beau John, and says their romance is going really well: "He's just a fantastic partner. I've been a fan of his for such a long time. He's got a brilliant, brilliant mind. It's a rad, mature relationship."

Katy admits her divorce was one of the main motivations for her brief separation from John, 36, earlier this year because she needed some time for "self-love" to help her deal her emotions following the final end to her union to Russell, 38. "I took a break from my boyfriend, not one that I wanted. It was like a splash of cold water to search inward on what was going on with me. That is what led me to this new awakening, this realising, 'If I don't do some self-love, I'm not going to be able to keep the love that I want.' I still needed to deal with all of my ex-husband stuff. I hadn't," she explained.