Ne-Yo: 'I hung up on Michael Jackson'

R&B singer Ne-Yo has revealed that he once hung up the phone on Michael Jackson by mistake.

Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, did not believe that Jackson would personally call him on his mobile, so switched off his phone thinking it was a prank.

He told GMTV: "It was my personal cell phone - Michael Jackson doesn't call people on their cell phone - at least I didn't think he did!

"His people called back a few minutes later... I actually had to lie because I was so embarrassed. I was like, 'Yeah, I was driving through a tunnel, and then it... disconnected?'"

The 'Miss Independent' singer also praised UK star Leona Lewis for remaining level-headed despite her blossoming success.

"That's what I really like about her - is that she's maintaining that humble thing that she has," he said.

"And especially in a town and in a business where it's really, really easy to start believing in your own hype - she still has that genuine quality about her. I love her for that."