After winning The X Factor by a landslide, capturing the hearts of the United Kingdom, and selling over one million copies of her debut album, 22 year old Leona Lewis is set to take the US by storm with the release of her debut album Spirit. Already Leona is being compared to artists like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.Lewis' soulful voice is similar to that of fellow British star Joss Stone, but with the range of Maria Carey. However unlike Carey, Leona Lewis does not try to show off her voice by screeching every few measures.
Spirit by Leona Lewis debuted at the number one spot on the album charts upon its release in the United Kingdom. And it is easy to see why with the simplistic musical creations that back Leona's powerful voice. Lewis says that she cannot sing a song that she cannot feel or believe in; that feeling comes through with every note on Spirit. Not since its original release by Roberta Flack has "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" ever been sung with the power and emotions delivered by Leona Lewis. She delivers all 13 tracks with that same emotion.
When she was very young Leona's parents entered her into a theatre school. Since those early days she has wanted to make an album. Now with the help of music moguls Clive Davis and Simon Cowell that dream is a reality.
Besides judging music star wannabes on "American Idol" Simon Cowell – who is responsible for Il Divo and Paul Potts – is also a judge on a show in the UK called The X Factor . In 2006 Leona Lewis won the contest by a landslide. Simon called Leona the best voice ever.
The result of her efforts has resulted in four Brit Award (the English Grammys) nominations, holding the record for the most downloads 50,000 in 30 minutes, and the first female British artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 charts since Kim Wilde in 1987, setting the table to take both sides of the Atlantic by storm.
