Leona: 'I have a quiet confidence'

Leona Lewis has insisted that she is more confident than people realise.

The singer faced criticism for her shy nature when she competed on The X Factor in 2006. Though Simon Cowell and his fellow judges praised Leona's vocal ability, they insisted that she needed to be more self-assured to succeed in the industry.

Lewis has since taken the world by storm with her debut album Spirit and its first two singles, 'Bleeding Love' and 'Better In Time'.

"I have a quiet confidence," Leona told OK! magazine. "I may not be loud but that doesn't mean I'm not strong within myself. My mum and dad instilled in me to stand up for what I believe in - and I do."

The star added that she would not feel comfortable posing in men's magazines to promote her career.

"I wouldn't do that," she confirmed. "I'm not against it, I just don't have the confidence to stand there and be in a bra and knickers."