R+B star Brandy lied about her 2001 'marriage' to music producer Robert Smith because she feared fans would turn on her if she was an unwed mum.

The singer told the world she was legally Mrs. Smith four months before she gave birth to her daughter Sy'rai, but it was all part of a big lie to protect her reputation as a perfect role model.

She came clean after splitting from Smith in 2003, but has rarely spoken about her fake marriage.

She tells America's Us Magazine, "I lied because of the fear of what people would think and the pressure to be a good role model.

"Our relationship was very real, we just weren't legally married."