Leona Lewis' silence therapy to preserve her voice

Leona Lewis preserves her voice by speaking as little as possible.

The 'X Factor' winner confessed that she went to extremes to make sure her vocal chords remained intact.

The 24-year-old revealed that her antics included being a 'word-miser' and missing out on nights out with pals, reports the China Daily.

She said: "I get scared of things not panning out the way I want them to. I wonder what I'd do if anything happened to my voice. That's why I look after myself so much."

She added: "I'll say, 'I can't talk to you for too long', and 'I can't do this or that because I'm doing a show'. I'll miss nights out because I can't be talking over loud music. I get panicked in case something happens."

But that does not stop the singer from returning to her passion.

She added: "Singing is an escape. When I sing, I go somewhere else, out of this world. It's another place where I'm free to do whatever I want. It's like a dream. It's my favourite colour, pastel pink, and there's just me there."