Leona Lewis: I've met some deplorable people

Leona Lewis has slammed the 'deplorable people' who have betrayed her since she became famous.

The Bleeding Love singer catapulted to fame after winning The X Factor UK in 2006.

Her career has since exploded, with three Grammy nominations and a string of hits.

But the 27-year-old has had to learn some hard lessons along the way.

'I've met some deplorable people over the past six years who have done some really bad things and I've seen their betrayal of my trust unfold before my eyes,' she told UK newspaper The Independent.

While the experiences were difficult to endure, she credits them with helping to toughen her outlook.

'It was hell but I've learnt from it and I'm much better at knowing who I should avoid,' she explained.

Leona has also faced some very public embarrassments. Perhaps most memorably, she was punched in the face in 2009 by a man posing as a fan while signing autographs in London.

'I'm definitely more aware when I go out in public and it has 100 percent had an effect on me and my life. But I've just got to deal with it. I don't like going out where it's really, really crowded,' she told reporters last month.

The singer said she's now suspicious of anyone who looks 'a bit dodgy'.