Singer Rebecca Ferguson is urging music industry bosses to be answerable to a regulatory body as she knows two young artistes who have attempted suicide. Ferguson has been vocal about the abuse, bullying and racism she has been subjected to since embarking on a singing career, which has led her to start a petition calling for an outside regulatory body to oversee the industry, reports aceshowbiz.com.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, she said that the abuse of power in music was a common occurrence. "I know two young artistes who attempted suicide at the hands of these (music industry) people," she said. "So, you know it's all fun and games for people to say 'Well, you're rich enough, it's showbiz.' I think, no, not actually. We're human beings and we want to be in this industry to perform and give our God-given talent. We are not here to be slaves, to be abused, to be misused, to be targeted," Ferguson added.