The girl done good

How does your family feel about your new-found fame?

Leona Lewis: 'They are all so supportive and totally used to it now. My brothers Kyle, 20, and Bradley, 26, have been amazed by the whirlwind, but they're cool about it now. Yes, we talk about my singing career when we're together - in the same way anyone would talk about their job - because it's a huge part of my life.

But we also chat about normal things, like what my Auntie Sue has been up to. My family keeps my feet on the ground and makes sure I stay the same way I have always been. I talk to them before I make any major decisions, as I know they have my best interests at heart.'

What about your mates?

Leona Lewis: 'I've got a real mixture of friends. A lot of them are the same ones I've had for years, so they know how important this is for me. Singing has always been my dream, so they're as happy as me that it's come true!'

How do you even go about explaining all the things you've been doing to them?

Leona Lewis: 'I don't need to. They think everything I've been through in the past year is really exciting. At first, though, all they wanted to know was what Simon Cowell was really like!'

So ... Spill!

Leona Lewis: 'Well, I don't deal with him on a day-to-day basis. I saw him when I was given a Guinness World Record. That was a real pinch-yourself moment. But, as I tell my friends, Simon is really supportive and gives me great advice on what I'm up to; they soon stopped asking me after that.

I don't really know any other famous people, though, so there's no gossip there. Instead, me and my mates talk about all the normal stuff girls talk about: boys, clothes, weight.'

Talking of weight, are you feeling the squeeze to be a size 0 yet?

Leona Lewis: 'No. I'm a size 10 and I think the main thing is to be comfortable in your own skin. Being happy and healthy go hand in hand. I'm a vegetarian, I drink lots of water and I try to exercise as much as possible.

I still go to the same local gym I've always gone to. The only difference is people tend to stare at me now! But I don't mind. I want people to see the real me.'

Really?!

Leona Lewis: 'Yes. The funniest time was when I got off the cross trainer, you know, all flustered and red-faced, and this girl came up to me and asked for a photo! I let her, though. So there's a picture of me looking sweaty doing the rounds somewhere.'

Let's talk about love. You've been with your boyfriend Lou since you were 17. Is he the one?

Leona Lewis: 'Yes. [Pauses] I hope so.'

You have a huge tour of the US coming up. Will he join you on the road?

Leona Lewis: 'Yes. He's an apprentice electrician, so his time is very flexible, thankfully! We usually go back and forth from America together, which is brilliant.'

Has it changed your relationship?

Leona Lewis: 'No, not at all. He's so supportive of me. I mean, it can be difficult when you read stuff in the papers and it's not true [the day before our interview, there was a news story stating that Leona and Lou were getting married, which is completely unfounded: 'I'm only 22. I'm still learning how to look after myself!'].

What I find the most difficult is when people say things about Lou like, 'But he's just an electrician!' Are they trying to say that I'm any better than him because I'm a singer? We are all human beings. We should be seeing each other for who we are on the inside.'

So that's one downside of fame. What are the others?

Leona Lewis: 'I hate being asked about my family, because the people in my personal life haven't asked to be in the spotlight. The worst thing I've read in the papers was that my parents had split up, which totally wasn't true and really upset me because it was only in the papers because of me.

But other than that, I like it all. I tend to keep myself to myself when I'm not working. When I go out in London, I avoid the big celeb hangouts with rows of paparazzi outside.

I've never been a big clubbing person anyway, so that doesn't feel like a sacrifice. I prefer to have girly nights in, with my friends round at my flat.'

And less chance of half-cut pictures of you ending up in the weeklies, as well!

Leona Lewis: 'Actually, I don't drink - I hate the taste of alcohol - so there's very little chance of that!

It's one of the reasons I prefer staying in. When my single went to No.1 last year I celebrated with non-alcoholic champagne. It was alright, but you wouldn't want a whole bottle of it. That's not to say I haven't had any embarrassing incidents, though.'

Do tell ...

Leona Lewis: 'Just before I went on The X Factor I was on stage singing and my dress started ripping up the front. I was mortified, but I carried on singing. You have to.'

Now that you're a glamorous star, presumably you travel around in big chauffeur-driven cars?

Leona Lewis: 'No, my dad and my nephew are picking me up. See, I'm not a demanding diva, am I?'