The vegetarian singer - who is a public supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) - thinks it is disgusting the way the fashion and music worlds still embrace clothing made from animal pelts and the apparent resurgence in the popularity of fur.

Leona - who doesn't wear suede, leather or other animal products - said: "I think animals are treated very poorly. When I see people wearing fur it makes me so sick. Especially when I see young singers doing it - that sickens me. When I rocked up to my first photo shoot they had feathers and fur there and everything In despise. I had to make it so clear that I just do not go there."

Leona, 24, is also angry at the way young women are made to feel as though they should constantly be dieting and should look a certain way.

The pop beauty - who shot to fame after winning Simon Cowell's UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' in 2006 - added to Live magazine: "There is definitely pressure to be a stick insect. Generally, in life, there is. All the magazines have tiny stick insects on their covers. But no one has ever said that to me. Everyone says I've lost weight but I don't see it. It's just eating healthily."