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X MARKS THE STARTING SPOT FOR LEONA
X Factor star Leona Lewis tells us about working with her heroes and why she still never misses an episode of the talent show.
Leona Lewis was described by X Factors mastermind Simon Cowell as absolutely the best contestant hed ever come across on the show, while Take Thats Gary Barlow, who sang alongside the Londoner on one of the programmes, said she was fifty times better than any other hopeful who had appeared on the talent contest.
Lofty praise indeed, but dont think for a second its gone to Leonas head.
Its amazing for people to say things like that, but Ive wanted to sing since I was a little girl, she says, sitting cross legged on a huge sofa in a swanky hotel.
To get recognised and for people to say what Ive done is inspiring is just amazing. It all makes me very proud. When I left school I worked part-time and spent every other moment in the studio, so Ive always been working at it. Ive tried to get as much experience as possible in different auditions. When the opportunity came with X Factor, it was just my time.
I dont think I lacked confidence, but Im not a loud, look at me type of person. I never have been, she says. Ive got a quiet confidence now that maybe I didnt have before, and Im just getting experience from the writers Ive been working with. But Im still the same person. Its nice not to be in peoples faces all the time.
Being in peoples faces is definitely not an accusation that can be levelled at Leona. Since scoring the Christmas No 1 and going on a short tour with the rest of the X Factor finalists, she seemed to vanish from the face of the Earth.
She was in fact jetting backwards and forwards to America, writing and recording her forthcoming debut album.
You cant put a time limit on original material, she says, explaining her absence. We wanted to get something great together, so we took that time to get it right.
The we she refers to includes her management team, co-songwriters and various producers, most notably Clive Davis.
The latter is a legend in music circles, currently the CEO of RCA records in North America, one of only a handful of non-performers in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and the man responsible for signing and/or discovering Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Notorious BIG, P Diddy and Toni Braxton among countless others.
Being noticed by a music mogul as esteemed as Davis is incredible, but it had extra significance for Leona as her favourite artists, Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston, were also discovered by him.
He was great to work with, says Leona, beaming. The first time I met him was in his bungalow in Beverly Hills. I had to sing for him, just on the spot, cold, but he was lovely, put me at ease and explained how he wanted to be involved in what I was doing.
If Gary Barlow and Simon Cowell think Leona is the most talented X Factor winner, then who are we to argue? Nevertheless, high praise was also given to Michelle McManus and Steve Brookstein, who, its fair to say, have totally flopped since winning Pop Idol and X Factor respectively.
I dont think any of them have done anything wrong, so its not about choosing who to follow or learn from, says Leona of the aforementioned trio, before changing the subject slightly. I think Ive been given this opportunity - Simon really believed in me, and then Clive Davis became involved - so Ive just run with the chance Ive been given.
Ive been dedicated and worked at it, and thats why I was able to take the time away to get it right.
So what did she make of this years finalists? Did she even had time to watch?
I always, always watch it, she says enthusiastically. If Im out, I record it. Im a big film fan too, so I make time to watch movies, but X Factor is something I never miss.”
Never mind his future, what does Leonas hold?
I just want to release my album. I cant wait for people to hear it and to realise what Ive been doing for the last 10 months. It represents me and Im so proud of it all.
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