Cher Lloyd: 'I am a businesswoman, not a celeb'

Cher Lloyd has branded herself a 'businesswoman' rather than a celebrity.

The X Factor finalist, who became a victim of online bullying after her debut single Swagger Jagger divided popular opinion, told Heat magazine that she's not 'your average celebrity, and never will be. I am a businesswoman'.

The 18-year-old said: "We singers are known as public property, just because this is what we've dreamed of doing for ever. [But] it doesn't mean you can knock us to the ground and treat us like s***. We're real people, and what we're doing is hard work."

Cher also hit out at critics of her recent engagement to hairdresser Craig Monk.

She said: "People are negative no matter what you do. People are always going to say 'She's too young'. I'm from a gypsy background! I'm meant to be married by now."

Cher came fourth in The X Factor in 2010. Her new single Want U Back is out now.