X Factor drama: Leona Lewis' Jamelia blast

Mar 4, 2008, 7:35 GMT

British singer Leona Lewis performs at the fourth night of the 58th Italian Song Festival in Sanremo, Italy, 29 February 2008. The festival is a popular Italian song contest running since 1951 and held annually in the city of Sanremo. This year\'s edition is scheduled for 25 February to 05 March. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI

Leona Lewis has branded Jamelia insecure.

'The X Factor' winner was stunned when Jamelia described her as a "poor man's Mariah Carey" but believes she only made the hurtful comment because she is worried about her own career.

She said: "If people are being horrible to you, it stems from their own insecurities. Jamelia said some nasty things about me, which hurt as I've never met her. I don't know if she definitely said it, but if she did it's sad. Us girls should support each other. I still think she's good and I wouldn't say anything bad about her."

Jamelia first criticised Leona several months after she won 'The X Factor' in December 2006, claiming her talent was being over-hyped by her manager Simon Cowell.

The 'Thank You' singer said at the time: "When Simon stops all this stupid hype about her, that's when we'll see if she can deliver. Like every artist Simon has, she'll fade into obscurity eventually. Leona is a poor man's Mariah Carey.

"Simon's lost it. He is disrespectful. Leona may be talented, but she's not worked as hard as me or others in the industry - fact!"

Soon after Jamelia's comments, Leona released her second single 'Bleeding Love', which became the biggest-selling track of 2007. She was then nominated for four BRIT Awards.

Leona's double A-side single, 'Footprints In The Sand' and 'Better In Time', which will raise money for British charity campaign Sport Relief, is released on March 10.

(C) BANG Media International