Leona Lewis has definitely got the “X Factor.” The U.K.-born singer, who was discovered on the British talent show of that name in 2006 and went on to break numerous chart records in her homeland the following year, is well on her way to proving her music has lost nothing in translation on U.S. shores.
“Bleeding Love,” the first single from Lewis’ album “Spirit” (due this week on Syco/J), vaulted to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 two weeks ago, making her only the third U.K. solo female to have a No. 1 hit with her first single. The song’s 8-1 jump came amid an 82% spike in digital sales following her March 17 performance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Lewis says she’s thrilled to be introducing herself to American audiences. “A lot of [“Spirit”] was recorded here-the majority of it, actually,” she says. “So it’s amazing that I get the chance to now share it here.”
She adds, “I’m not taking anything for granted. This opportunity is extraordinary and I know a lot of people would love to have the chance I’ve got. I’m working the hardest I can and just want to keep going.”
