Singer Fergie took to the stage at a New York high school on Tuesday to teach students about Aids prevention and safe sex.

The Black Eyed Peas star, who was once addicted to crystal methamphetamine, urged the 10th graders at Murry Bergtraum High School to never allow themselves to be pressurised into sex without a condom.

She told the assembled 15-year-olds, "In high school I cheated on my boyfriends - whatever!"

"(But) do you really want that person who's just going to like you if you have unprotected sex?"

Speaking after the event, Fergie added, "It's about building self-esteem. That's what it's going to take for young people to have protected sex. They have to stick to their guns."