British pop star Leona Lewis says she had to fight back tears when she performed at former South African president Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday tribute concert here.

The singer joined an all-star line-up, including Amy Winehouse and Razorlight, at the concert in Hyde Park on June 27.

Lewis sang hits like Bleeding Love and Better In Time at the gala event.

She said, “It was a really emotional moment for me. There were definitely a few tears. My auntie and grandmother would tell me stories about Nelson Mandela. I never dreamed I would be up there singing at his birthday celebration. It was very emotional performing for him.”

Watch her perform “Better In Time“:

And an interview too: