Leona Lewis: I'm no pop puppet, I'm in control

After a three-year break, songbird Leona Lewis is back with a series of stripped-back gigs.

moreThe battle for the solo in the school production is usually fiercely contested.

Leona Lewis's classmates didn't even bother trying. Because even at the tender age of nine, her voice – that voice – was already renowned.

"The music teacher asked 'Who wants to do the solo?' and everyone in the class turned round and said me," the 28-year-old giggles.

"I was like 'Oh wow, this is weird'. That was the first time I remember feeling like that, that I had something a bit different. It was cool."

That "something a bit different" is a voice that has since sold more than 20 million records around the world, a voice that spans four octaves, a voice that she one day hopes will lead to a career in opera, a voice envied by Beyonce and Anastacia.

And now, after a break of three years, that voice will again be heard live by audiences up and down the country.

Leona has just started her 16-date Glassheart tour, which came to Birmingham on Monday, but is playing things a bit different this time around.

"This time I am doing theatres and more intimate venues and it's so much more close and personal. I wanted to put on the best show for people," she tells the Star from her hotel room in Germany following a couple of warm-up shows there.

"My first tour The Labyrinth, I wanted that to be theatrical – I am quite theatrical and have always enjoyed that sort of thing. There was lots going on, the sets and scenery were amazing.

"This time, I've still got that element of theatre but it's so much more how people should see me. I think that first time, I was so nervous, I needed a crutch, almost a distraction, this time I haven't got that. It's exciting. I've stripped it all back, having that environment is special, everything is crystal clear to people, they can see the emotion on my face. I'm not far far away, there are no big screens."

A former X Factor winner signed to Simon Cowell's Syco record label, it would be easy to assume Leona simply goes with the flow and does as she's told. Another pop puppet whose strings are pulled by the great man himself. But, when asked if she has more creative control now than those early days, the answer is strong and matter-of-fact.

"I have always been in control of my shows," she says. "And I had such a great time on the last tour, I wanted to get straight back out there. I was eager to make this happen and get the songs finally heard.

"I've already done two shows here in Germany, which were fantastic. I was really really nervous and stressed out beforehand, there was so much going on but as soon as I got on the stage, everything disappeared. The audience was right there in front of me and the reaction was great. The fans' reaction was overwhelming.

"The show is called the Glassheart tour. It's about the emotions of heartbreak and coming back together. I wanted it to be different for the people who have seen me before. I have a 10-piece band and string quartet. I wanted it to be special and to really feel it."

But does it ever get lonely on the road away from her family and friends in her native Hackney?

"I don't really get lonely, I have a great band. The keyboard player is a real northern lad, the guitarist is from Canada and the drummer is the life and soul. I went to school with my backing vocalist so I know her really well. We are an eclectic bunch.

"As long as I have my computer, phone and iPad, I'm OK. As long as I can keep in contact with people. And if it ever gets too much and I'm stressing out, I listen to a bit of Bob Marley on my iPod.

"But I enjoy being on the road. I enjoy travelling about. I think you have to be like that to do this job, you have to enjoy going to places."

Her love for travel is lucky considering Leona is now a genuine worldwide star. She has had number ones in America, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, the list is endless.

She has performed with everyone from Lil Wayne to Jimmy Page, received Grammy and Brit Awards nominations and has one of the country's most downloaded songs – her cover of Snow Patrol's Run.

But it is Bleeding Love that remains her song. It is a monster of a track, reaching number one in 34 countries and selling more than nine million copies worldwide. Across the pond, it became the first song by a UK female singer to hit the topspot since Kim Wilde's You Keep Me Hangin' On back in 1987.

But is Bleeding Love her favourite one to sing?

"Hmm, not really. On this tour I'm actually really enjoying singing a cover of Bruno Mars's Locked Out Of Heaven.

"But I am really proud of that success. Not that long back, everything was influenced by and for America. But all it takes is one [UK female singer] to get through and they're like 'Oh, they do have credible talent, they do have great singers'. After that, people just started focussing on the UK and there are so many credible talented singers here."

With such an incredible voice, it would be easy to think that music is the one and only passion in Leona's life. But there is another subject, one that makes her shake off her usual mild-mannered good girl persona, that holds a special place in her heart – animal rights.

A strict vegetarian, Leona has her own animal sanctuary in Brentwood, Essex, and has recently become a brand activist for The Body Shop, launching a cruelty-free make-up and fragrance range called the Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis.

And her firm stance on animal rights has seen her make a number of bold stands, often surprising people who think she's just "that nice singer off the X Factor".

Just before this year's Grand National, she took to Twitter to post "**** the Grand National" and "How about we put down the little ***** running those poor horses into the ground. can't stand this bull****." And then there's the time she refused to have her picture taken with a fan because she was wearing a fur coat.

"I don't like to be controversial for controversial's sake," she explains. "I don't like to be just 'Oh she's sooo controversial, blah blah blah' but when things matter to me, I will speak up.

"I think it [the Grand National] is barbaric. When there's big money concerned people become morons and get lost in it all. I said to some of my friends who were watching 'What are you doing? You are condoning horses being run into the ground'. It's as bad as bull fighting.

"Fame has its good sides and bad sides. Yes, your privacy can be invaded and things like that but it is amazing to use it, to use my voice, to get things across like animal rights. I like to talk about things like that, people are interested in things like that. I will put my voice out there and talk about issues when they are wrong." That's why she says her collaboration with The Body Shop is the perfect fit.

"It was a natural choice for me considering their ethical stance. My passion if for animal rights. Their passion is for animal rights.

"I'm passionate about beauty and I'm all about animals. As a result, I'm really conscious of where the products that I use come from. The Body Shop sells cruelty free, ethical products containing amazing Community Fair Trade ingredients. The collaboration is a natural fit.

"So there is this serious message but the make-up and fragrance are still fun, my favourite products are the highlighter, pink lipgloss and the musk."

So animal welfare is most definitely on the agenda, what's off is talking about her personal life.

After splitting from her long-term boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa in 2010, Leona was linked to Wolverhampton's very own homegrown superstar Liam Payne from One Direction.

Both played down rumours of a romance but Liam didn't help matters by saying "I do have a crush on Leona, she's hot. I have met her. She's hot." He later however posted on Twitter: "Okay bored of constant news articles... I'm not dating Leona ... My YouTube channel isn't for a solo career and I didn't insult Kim K...Pow!".

She is currently dating German dancer Dennis Jauch but lets her music do the talking when it comes to her love life.

"This album [Glassheart] has got very bittersweet songs about break-ups and relationships I've been through. The drama and the break-ups do feed great songs but so does love. You need both sides of the spectrum."

And while she may be private, she remains accessible to her fans, or her Bunnies as she calls them. Leona has more than one million followers on Twitter and is regularly in contact with them, sharing snapshots of her life on a regular basis.

So what does the future hold? While many have tipped her to go back to her roots and land a spot on the X Factor judging panel, as ever, Leona has other ideas. The songstress hasn't fully ruled out going back to the reality show that discovered her, but it is another sort of music that is really catching her eye.

"I would love to sing opera. I trained classically and that's what I really wanted to do. It's a different way of using your voice I would seriously have to commit at least a year for the training. That's how I am. I'd have to go in full-on if I did it."

And is their a particular role she has her sights on?

"I'd love to sing Lakmé, to sing that would be a dream for me."

And if there's one thing we've learnt from Leona, it's that dreams can come true. Besides, we're sure her old classmates would vouch for her.

Elizabeth Joyce