Leona's Top 12

In the 21st century, few artists have captured the world's attention quite like Leona Lewis. Having won the X Factor in 2006, she has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the world's leading female singers, the rightful heir to the likes of Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.

Coming from Hackney in East London, Leona has certainly had a long journey to the top. The former receptionist first hit the charts at Christmas in 2006 with A Moment Like This. Not only did the single go straight to number one over Christmas, it smashed the world record for downloads by selling 50,000 in the first half hour. Eventually the single made Leona the fastest selling debut female artist of all tim.

There has certainly been no shortage of big name witers and producers looking to work with her. Recorded across London, New York, Miami and Los Angeles her debut album, "Spirit", reads like a who's who of just about everyone who has been involved in big name Pop successes in the past 20 years: Jam & Lewis, Salaam Remi, Steve Mac... the list is endless.

"Simon always said to follow my instincts and be true to myself. Clive said exactly the same thing. I wanted to sing great songs and we have loads that I feel a connection with"

With such stellar names working on the record - not to mention the involvement of heavyweight record executives Simon Cowell and Clive Davis - you may think that Leona is no more than a puppet, a vehicle for other people's creative talent. Not at bit of it, she insists: "I've not been given a formula to follow. I've had the time to find my feet. I've learned a lot and Simon and Clive really listen to me."

Down to earth and surprisingly shy for someone with such a powerful voice, Leona has nevertheless taken to the pop star lifestyle with aplomb. Photo shoots, normally a chore for any musician, are a pleasure and a treat for Leona: "I get to be a princess and play around with great clothes."

And so to her breakthrough single, "Bleeding Love". Produced by Ryan Tedder (of One Republic) the track neatly melds her favourite artists whilst at the same time allowing her unique voice to shine through. Think 1980s Prince, when he was taking Pop music into another direction combined with the cooler vocals of Mariah Carey and you might get close to what the song sounds like. Selling over a million copies in total, "Bleeding Love" became the biggest week one single of 2007. "It's a love song," she explains, "but it can be sung to a boyfriend, a friend, it's about always being there for someone"

Proving she's no one-hit wonder, she followed this phenomenal success with her debut album, "Spirit", which has now sold over 2 million copies world wide, reaching the number one spot in the US - which makes her the most successful British female artist in the US in 20 years.

"This album is from an honest, genuine place," she enthuses, "I wanted everyone who has supported and worked with me to have an album they're proud of, one that is credible and one with songs that people can connect to."

So does the globe trotting, chart topping, record breaking Leona Lewis get to listen to any music these days? She sure does. Check out Leona's celebrity playlist to see the music that is big in her life at the moment.