Leona Lewis refuses to speak more than a few words to people in fear of losing her voice.

The X Factor winner is so scared that she will lose her world-class voice; she refrains from shouting and keeps small talk with people to a minimum.

Leona said, “I get scared of things not panning out the way I want them too. I wonder what I’d do if anything happened to my voice. That is why I look after myself so much.

“I will say, ‘I can’t talk to you for too long,’ and ‘I can’t do this or that because I am doing a show.’ I will miss nights out because I can’t be talking over loud music. I get panicked in case something happens.”

However, the ‘Better in Time’ singer is not too worried about losing her fame and fortune, saying she lives for her singing, and would be devastated if she couldn’t sing anymore.

“Singing is an escape,” Leona said. “When I sing I go somewhere else, out of this world. It is another place where I am free to do whatever I want. It is like a dream. It’s my favourite colour, pastel pink, and there is just me there.”

There are many stars who go to extreme lengths to protect their voice before a show. Mariah Carey refuses to speak to anyone for two days before a concert.

The ‘Butterfly’ singer once said, “Before a big show I have to do vocal rest where I am not allowed to speak for two days. It is so boring having to write notes to everyone! I need Stephen Hawkings voice machine for when I am on vocal rest.

“I would like a machine where I can just think and it comes out in a robot voice-that would be amazing.”

Leona Lewis reportedly plans to shun the Brit Awards after she failed to get any major nominations, last year Leona had four nominations at the Brit Awards but she left empty handed last year after winning none of the awards. 

The former X factor winner flew in to Britain from America with boyfriend Lou Al-Charma at the weekend and was expected at the Brits. But according to The Daily Mirror she has now pulled out of attending the awards bash at London’s Earls Court on Wednesday night, a source close to Leona said”

“Leona is making a stand and is not going. She’s more likely to be curled up on the sofa with her boyfriend Lou in Hackney than to be getting glammed up for the Brits. She may even jet out somewhere on holiday.”

“Her view is, ‘What’s the point of getting her glad-rags on if the chances of being recognised on her own soil are slim to none’?”

Leona is only nominated for Best British Single, for Better In Time, which is decided by a public vote, unlike all the other awards which are voted for by music industry experts.

This year its Leona’s turn to snub the Brit’s. seeing at the Brit’s snubbed her last year, and Simon Cowell spoke out about this saying: “I don’t like The Brits. Leona at The Brits tells you everything about the record business. You should recognise and celebrate success, not sneer at it, wherever the artist comes from.” After it was reportedly that Leona was looked down on as an X Factor ‘reality show’ winner.

Generally boring songstress Leona Lewis has started what could turn in to a war of words with stick-thin mess Amy Winehouse. The Bleeding Love singer said that although she admired Amy’s singing talents she did not want to end up like her.

She claims she will avoid the pitfalls of fame and fortune (must suck when you’re a squillionaire…) by having the support of a strong family to keep her feet on the ground.

Leona, 23, said: “Amy is so talented. But a performer’s privacy is taken away. The media are always there.

“You can’t make your mistakes in private. I have the advantage of a great support structure.

“I get honest opinions from family and friends. They aren’t always telling me what I want to hear, but the truth helps keep my head straight.”

The singer was also proud to be likened to legendary diva’s Whitney Houston, 44 and Mariah Carey, 38.

Leona in her interview with a US magazine added: “It’s exceedingly gratifying because they’re so great.”