Leona Lewis no Mariah

Mariah Carey's Leona confusion

Mariah Carey says Leona Lewis doesn't sound like her.

The chart-topping singer insists she "didn't really hear any similarity" between Leona's music and her own, and claims there will never be a "new" Mariah.

She said: "Honestly, there has been so many, 'This is the new her,' and I'm like, 'OK, show me the new her. Can she come and work for me and be my double?' "

"And I'm not particular talking about this girl Leona, because I only heard her once and I didn't really hear a true similarity, particularly in the style of music.

"It is what it is and critics have compared me to so many people who are not really singers, and they're certainly not writers."

Mariah says if she spent her time worrying about her chart rivals it would depress her.

She added to the Observer Music Monthly magazine: "If I was to focus on the comparisons and really dwell on that, it would bring me down so I just try to pray that I lose the sprit of jealousy, it's not a good one - envy is a really powerful thing."

Leona's debut LP 'Spirit' hit the number one spot in America last week.