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X-Factor winner Leona Lewis is moving to America to launch her career over the Atlantic – and is taking her parents with her.

The 21-year-old’s mum and dad have both quit their jobs to join Leona in Los Angeles when she moves their in March to record her debut album and pound the publicity trail.

Leona’s dad Jo tells the Sunday Mirror, “Leona is number one and we are a team. We've supported her all her life. We're planning to go out to America to keep an eye on things."


Entertainmentwise

Leona in kiss-off to £10m

X FACTOR winner Leona Lewis has turned down the chance to earn £10million after refusing to move to the States.

The 21-year-old singing sensation ruled out a move across the Atlantic after setting up home with her electrician boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa.

And music mogul Simon Cowell, 47, has admitted defeat in trying to persuade her to base herself in the US – knowing her happiness is more important.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, Lou’s mum Anna said: “Everything is going really well for Leona – and Lou is right by her side.

“They have just moved in together.

“Obviously there were concerns about how things would work out for them if Leona moved to America.

“But after a number of heart-to-hearts Leona decided she didn’t want to go.

“Lou has always been right behind Leona – and will support her every decision.

“They’re both incredibly happy.”

A source close to those looking after the former waitress said: “Leona has a long career ahead of her and Simon knows how important it is to make sure she’s happy from the start.

“He doesn’t want to push her into doing anything she’s not comfortable with.

“If she based herself out there for two years she’d have more opportunities and could earn a hell of a lot of money.

“But it’s all about the long-term plan with Leona.”


dailystar

09.02.2007

LEONA Lewis, X Factor winner, is thinking big.

Having cracked the Saturday night TV crowd, Leona is heading to America.

There is a chance that the American audience will greet a reality TV show singer as they have greeted many other British exports. They will ignore her.

But Leona is different. As the Mirror reports, Leona has signed up with Clive Davis, the man who looks not little unlike Mike Reid, he of EastEnders repute.

Davis, described as a 74-year-old svengali, will put Leona on the path to fame and fortune. This is Davis who managed Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Justin Timebrlake. And can anyone of them say they won a reality TV show? No.

And then there is also Simon Cowell. According to Cowell, “Leona is the best X Factor contestant ever”. No small praise when you consider the likes of The Unconventionals, Robert Allen and Nikitta Angus, names much hymned in the annals of pop music.

And Ray Quinn. Ray came runner up to Leona in the X Factor grand finale. And he too is in America.

Catching up with Ray in Las Vegas, the Sun sees the “chirpy” 18-year-old singer filming a video for his album.

As rules dictate, whenever a singer visits Las Vegas he must dress in the style of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, all dinner jacket and bowtie.

The risk is that you can end up looking like a waiter or the Bar Mitzvah boy. It is a risk Ray is happy to take.

And what is more Ray is recording a swing album, the music of TV car adverts, what the Grim Reaper plays on his iPod. Swing is the music for people who can’t really sing and can’t really dance.

But we wish Ray good luck with it. It anyone can carry off droll tunes of love and middle-aged ambition, it is a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

But Ray is in safe hands. Ray is managed by Simon Cowell, the man who brought the world Sonia, Robson & Jerome and Leona... anorak