'Youngest diva ever' wows singing legends

British teenage singing sensation Joss Stone was given the seal of approval by a clutch of music legends today.

The Devon-born 17-year-old took to the stage with some of the singing world’s biggest names at a glittering concert in Las Vegas.

Despite being the youngest performer at the Divas event – which featured the likes of Tom Jones, Blondie star Debbie Harry and Gladys Knight, the teenager managed to steal the show.

Sexbomb Jones, soul legend Patti LaBelle and other stars lined up to praise the youngster, who first turned heads with the reworking of The White Stripes song Fell in Love with a Boy, which she performed today.

Stone was signed up on the spot by American record executives after they were sent a video of her performing, not long after she appeared on the BBC talent show Star For A Night at the age of 12.

Stone’s debut album Soul Sessions, a collection of classic covers, has been a runaway success and went gold in America.

Despite the glitz and glamour, today Stone went barefoot to belt out numbers such as Midnight Train to Georgia with Gladys Knight, One Way or Another with Debbie Harry, and an 80s medley with all the Divas in front of a 8,500-strong crowd at the MGM Grand.

Stone – who is chaperoned by her mother and has previously said she would become a social worker if the singing wasn’t a success – was hailed as a singing wonder at Sunday night’s star-studded event.

Afterwards, Tom Jones said: “Joss is an amazing singer with an amazing voice and she is still so young. She’s going to be around for a long time.”

Patty LaBelle said: “She’s a white girl with a black woman’s soul. She’s fierce. I told her today,” while R&B singer Ashanti added: “Joss Stone is incredible, she lights the sky up.”

The Sopranos actress Jamie Lynn Siegler said: “I saw her rehearse. She’s so beautiful. I hope her star continues to rise.”

Although officially a Diva, Stone insisted that she wouldn’t be exhibiting any diva-esque behaviour, today saying: “I’m not going to be a superbitch.”

She joked: “I can’t believe everybody is singing my praises. I must be very good! Everyone has been really nice. I can’t believe how down to earth they are. Everyone has tried to help me out where ever they can.

“They’ve given me tips because I’m the youngest diva ever. I only know this because I was watching TV and it was a question on a quiz show.”

Performing in a lace dress, she added: “It’s just so unbelievable. All this stardom is hilarious. It’s all hairstyle, and makeup. I was at an Elton John party the other day and it was amazing.

“There was Elton on one table, Sharon Osbourne on another and someone else on another table. I was like ’wow’.”

Britney Spears, who recently briefly married childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas, was meant to perform by video link but didn’t appear.

Other performers included former Baywatch star, the scantily clad Carmen Electra, and The Pussycat Dolls who sang Duran Duran’s Girls on Film and Tom Jones’s classic hit You Can Leave Your Hat On with the Welsh singer.

Cyndi Lauper belted out her classic hit Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Ashanti sang I’m Coming Out and Kill Bill star Daryl Hannah was one of the presenters.

TV viewers can watch the Divas concert at 9pm on Friday night on the music and entertainment channel VH1.