Leona Lewis Talks with NewNowNext! Plus New "Bleeding Love" U.S. Video!

 

The 22-year-old Brit beauty, Leona Lewis, took home the gold from The X Factor (the U.K American Idol) and now has both Clive Davis and Simon Cowell backing her to become an international star. Leona devotees - hey, I'm here too - don't have to look far for proof their girl is on her way: Leona's album, Spirit, was the fastest selling debut in U.K. history, for starters.

And not that I need to tell any of you this, but Leona's first single "Bleeding Love" is absolutely fantastic, and she delivers a powerhouse performance and an aching sincerity ... guys, could Leona really be the new Mariah? Well, before filming TRL this week, Leona spoke with me and addressed such comparisons and also talked about what performing for the gays would mean to her!

 

Check out the Q&A, and the new U.S. video for "Bleeding Love," after the jump!

 

 

So this is the American video for "Bleeding Love"; the crew re-filmed it for Leona's break into the U.S. And our special treatment doesn't stop there: While Spirit won't come out in the U.S. until April, the new package will feature two original tracks.

I have to say, even though I still enjoyed this new video - mainly because it's the same fantastic song - I greatly prefer the original, U.K. one. I guess Leona needed to up her "U.S.-ness," filming this video in Times Square and all ... but that first video was not broke, if you ask me! (You can watch the original after the Q&A below.)

Now for the questions! Leona was totally sweet, humble and soft-spoken; despite her ridiculous talent-level, she seemed pretty stuck on feelings of luck and gratitude. I also made her pose for a picture!

 

 

I’ve seen the European version of the “Bleeding Love” video, but how would you describe the new one you filmed for the U.S.?

I guess I didn’t know how successful the song would be, and thanks to everyone’s support, it’s been so amazing. I thought coming here it would be great if we kind of freshened it up with a new video. We set it in Times Square, the New York backdrop; I thought it would give it a new life.

I saw a clip of you "arguing with your boyfriend” on the street.

Yup! A bit of an argument - a bit of acting.

So you were nominated for BRIT Awards! And you actually went to their school, right?

I used to go to a school called the Performing Arts School, and it’s kind of expensive so I had to drop out. So I found this school that’s funded by the BRIT Awards and the British music industry; and I got a place there, and it’s a great school.

Will you be performing at the award show?

Yeah, I’m gonna be performing as well. It’s going to be quite overwhelming for me! When I was 14, I actually got to go to the awards, and I just remember thinking, ‘Oh gosh how incredible would it be?’

 

 

Did you think of any of your old teachers when you got the nomination?

I had some really great teachers - like Ms. Nelson, who was my English Literature teacher; I love English literature. I wrote back actually to the school, and she was just like, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ She’s really lovely.

Any other dream venues you’d like to perform at?

There’s the O2 arena that just opened up in London…I guess it doesn’t matter where you perform, as long as the people are touched and, hopefully, can connect with your music.

What if you were to perform at G-A-Y in Astoria?

Oh yeah! You know what, on The X Factor, the year previous to when I did it, all of the contestants would sing each Saturday at G-A-Y. They didn’t do it my year, but everyone’s been like, ‘It’s such an incredible vibe there.’

Would you do anything differently for a performance there?

Gosh, some flamboyant costume would be great! I saw a clip of Kylie performing, and she was incredible and had these incredible costumes.

 

 

Wait. Are you a Kylie woman or a Madonna woman?

Both! Definitely.

You went to theater school, I’m guessing you were around it somewhat, but would you say you were exposed to gay culture growing up?

Yeah, I’m kind of from such a mixed background: My father’s Guyanese; my mom’s Italian, Welsh and Irish; I grew up in a very multi-cultural and accepting home. So I grew up around gay people, lesbian people, whoever, I’ve met them - I have friends.

So you’ve recorded two new tracks for the U.S. version of your album?

I’ve recorded one, and I’m recording the other one. …Well, we’re supposed to be doing it tomorrow, but I’ve got tonsillitis so I think it’s going back a bit. So yeah, I’m doing two new tracks just because I came across these tracks and everyone’s just like, ‘Oh they’re great.’

And one’s with Akon?

Yeah, with Akon. I’ve worked with him already – kind of done half the track, getting into the vibe - and I have to re-record it now. It was great getting to work with him; it was kind of surreal. I get there, ‘Are you really Akon? Am I really working with you right now?’

 

 

You’ve had many Mariah Carey comparisons, and she’s got quite the gay fan base; what do you think about her appeals to gays?

I think she’s incredible. I grew up listening to those ‘80s powerful songs like Whitney and Mariah, and it’s incredible I’ve even been mentioned in the same sentence as them.

Lastly! I heard you’re spending Valentine’s Day in Germany? Will your boyfriend be there?

Yeah! Yeah, we’ll go gallivanting somewhere!

...

And now for the original "Bleeding Love" video with Leona in a 15-pound dress that I think I've seen Beyonce wearing singing in an apartment building loaded with relationship woes. It's incredible!

 

 

Comments

[John]

OMFG!!! She's fiercer than a Mariah-Whitney-Kelly C. sandwich with some Fergie special sauce that Scary Spice just snarfed down at a bodega on 125th Street. WURRRK!!! I'm totally bleeding Leona...

[junior]

She has a great voice but I'll have to heard more 'cause that song is not exciting me.

She certainly is beautiful enough to be a big star (excuse me my bisexuality is acting up).

[Chad]

Akon? Why the ****?!?!

She doesn't need to be associated with that lame, rent-a-rapper...

and yes, I agree the original video is better.

[Jerry]

She definitely has a great voice. I like the American video better, probably because her hot boyfriend is in it, but the British video makes me pay more attention to the lyrics and story. I'd love to hear a (gay) club version of this song. It's a bit too mellow for my taste...but her voice is amazing, and she is beautiful.

[T. Steward]

The video was nice, the song itself didn't move my emotions the way the title did. She is a beautiful, talented bisexual!!!!!

[www.leonal.skyrock.com]

i luv' bleeding love , she's amazing

[Emma lessiter]

heyy leona love ur songs

[Anthony]

I think she kicks fergie's butt. So therefore fergie's shouldn't be in the sandwhich. Now I am totally obsessed with all her songs since they are all great m, but saying she I'd better than Whitney is stretching it a bit. One day she will be better than Whitney but not know. She totally blows mariah out of the water. Also leona is bisexual ppls. Especially u T. Steward. What she said was, was that she has friends. One other thing. That is her boyfriend in the American mv. I didn't thinknit looked like him. I Well

[Anthony]

I menu to say she isn't bisexual. This I'd anthony again

[www.leonal.skyrock.com]

shes amazing

[Nicola]

She doesn't hold a candle to Mariah, that is fact. But nevertheless she is an accomplished vocalist. Let's be real people.