Leona Lewis was only 21 when she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006. After dominating the UK charts with hit songs, “A Moment Like This” and “Bleeding Love” (which stayed at #1 for 7 consecutive weeks), Leona returned to the stage that catapulted her into the spotlight, taking her trademark pop ballads to a whole new level.
For this mystic 2008 performance, Leona’s live cover of Snow Patrol’s 2003 single, “Run” anticipated the release of her official cover single, released in November of that year. This performance exudes grace and elegance; Leona allows her talents to simmer throughout her verses before unleashing the captivating power hidden within her during the final chorus, winning a standing ovation from the audience and all four judges.
Leona was a pro by this point; she’d sailed through The X Factor, making Series 3 one of the most iconic in UK history. Her second single, “Bleeding Love,” became No. 1 in 35 countries, and Leona Lewis became The X Factor’s first true icon and success story.
Her list of accolades is extensive. In the same year as Leona’s landmark X Factor performance of Run, the pop singer won a MOBO Award for her debut album, Spirit — which remains the best-selling debut record by a female singer even 15 years on. Over her career, Leona has been nominated for seven Brit Awards, three Grammys, six MTV Europe Music Awards (winning two), and a further three MOBOs, among countless more.
While her later records plummeted in sales, Leona Lewis still embodies the golden age of TV talent shows for UK audiences, while also being an unforgettable singer in her own right. She trained at London’s BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology (alumni: Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Jessie J), channeling her classical vocal training into her angelic pop tones. Described as a “vocal powerhouse,” Leona is renowned for her soul-gripping vocal range that ignites fires and sweetness in each power ballad she sings. Leona’s surreal X Factor performance of “Run” is a pitch-perfect example, amassing 19 million YouTube views and tremendous, worldwide admiration.
Since phasing out her music career, Leona continues to make an astonishing impact. In 2023, the star relocated to the US to breathe life into her vegan café, Coffee and Plants, and by the end of the year received an OBE for her service to music and charity. With 1.5m+ YouTube subscribers, 1b+ YouTube views across her channel, and just under 1m Instagram followers, this is a star who follows where her heart takes her, inspiring women across the globe to seize the moment and succeed.
If you want to experience more of the elegant and powerful performances from the iconic X Factor winner, Leona Lewis, subscribe to her official YouTube channel. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to-date with all her latest news, releases and live performances.