Born in London to a Guyanese father and a Welsh mother, Leona Lewis displayed an
early penchant for the stage, attending the Italia Conti and BRIT stage schools,
playing piano and guitar as well as showing an exceptional singing talent,
particularly jazz and blues. However, her attempts to get her career off the
ground all came to nothing until her powerful, soulful voice won over viewers of
2006 X Factor TV reality show. Mentored by Simon Cowell, Leona won a £1m
recording contract and went straight to No 1 with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's A
Moment Like This. Her second single Bl...