Keisha Buchanan felt “empowered” by Lauryn Hill’s music as a child.

The 26-year-old singer – who was replaced in the Sugababes by Jade Ewen in 2009 following a spat with fellow member Amelle Berrabah – loves the ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ hitmaker and found she has learnt about herself from her songs.

She said: “I love the album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ because it’s so timeless and everything she says in it is so real.

“I learned something from her. Her voice is so effortless. There’s no one like her. My favourite song is ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ – as a teenager it made me feel empowered and taught me to respect myself.”

The London-born star also had great respect for civil rights fighter Martin Luther King because of the “difference” he helped inspire.

She added to New magazine: “I admire anyone that makes a positive change. What Martin Luther King did for the civil rights movement was incredible. He really made a difference. I respect him so much.”