Avril blasts miming stars

Avril Lavigne has spoken out against stars who lipsync, following on from Ashlee Simpson's performance on Saturday Night Live, in which she was caught miming to a backing track.

Speaking to Billboard, the Canadian singer complained, "You know what, there are a lot of people out there today, who have become stars or famous musicians - I wouldn't really define them as a star - with a record only because they have connections and only because they have money and for the wrong reasons.

"And it sucks. Actually, I know for a fact there are some young female artists who don't even sing on their own records and who don't sing live. And that is pathetic."