Leona Lewis: Breaking Records
In truth, Leona Lewis, one of Simon Cowell’s newest discovery via the British talent search The X Factor, did not impress me back then. I was actually rooting for the two other guys she was up against in the contest — Ben (3rd placer) and Ray (2nd placer). Not even this rendition of “I Will Always Love You” (more commonly sang on talent shows so contestants could prove how good they are) made me root for her:
When Leona’s performances were up, guess where I’d be? Out of the room or doing something else. I just wasn’t a fan.
But I did not find it surprising that she’d win the contest in 2006. Between the second placer and her, there was more chance she’d make the kind of records the general public would buy. The second placer, Ray, was into standards with a Michael Buble/Harry Connick flavor and therefore had a little market as not everyone are into those. Leona, on the other hand, had the makings of a pop star.
A couple of years later, I hear her song on the radio. And surprisingly, I did love it. The song “Bleeding Love” become the best seller in the UK in 2007 and is currently gaining number one spots in many other countries, including the biggest and most profitable market of all, the United States. As of April 2008, the song is a certified gold and platinum record in the UK and USA.
With “Bleeding Love” Leona becomes:
- the first X Factor winner to achieve two number one hits. Her coronation song from the X Factor also reached number one.
- the third UK female artist to ever hold a number one song in the Hot 100 charts with her first single
- the first British female artist to have a number one song in the US in 20 years
