Black Eyed Peas star Fergie has told the media to leave troubled stars like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears alone.

The singer, who experienced her own drug problems when she was younger, has claimed she has sympathy for young artists who are being forced into rehab.

The 'Big Girls Don't Cry' star told People magazine: "They're young. I was young when I went through my stuff. Leave them alone.

"If they want to get better, they're going to get better on their own. If somebody is going to change, they have to want to do it themselves. I think it is really unfair to them when they are trying to get help."

She added: "We're all watching as a nation and commenting day by day on their rehabilitation. It's not fair. You're supposed to have a sanctuary, a place where you can go and not be pressured every day."