Ananova:

Ashanti has slammed criticism of her vocal talents at live gigs, insisting she doesn't mime to her music.

The singer says she finds it tough work to sing and dance simultaneously and is surprised she has been singled out for criticism when many artists don't bother singing live.

According to Allhiphop.com she said: "A lot of people lip sync. I found that I was really one of the few that was singing and trying to dance all at the same time and the two just wasn't happening. It just wasn't coming out right.

"So now I found out what's going on. And you gotta be in shape, you gotta have that air level up there in order to hit them notes and be pumping and dancing and jumping all on the stage and all that."