It was obvious the very first time she sang on X-Factor that Leona Lewis was in a different league to any previous TV talent show contestant. In the space of the last month she has proved the point twice, first by topping the American singles chart with Bleeding Love and then performing the same feat in the US album chart with Spirit - the first British woman to do either in more than 20 years.

Of course, Leona’s achievement begs the question of why it’s been two decades since our last female American chart-topper. Well, there are a couple of reasons.

The success of British music in the States has been in decline for many years. Hip-hop, R&B, and power ballads long ago eclipsed rock music in popularity across the pond and, put simply, they do those genres a whole lot better than us.

Another factor is the perceived unwillingness of British artists to put in the gruelling promotional legwork necessary to crack the States.

Oasis, for example, couldn’t seem to get through a US tour without splitting up.

Leona breaks the mould in a number of ways. First of all, she is a graduate of the Sylvia Young Theatre School, the Italia Conti Academy, and the BRIT School. In short, she’ll have been under no illusions about what’s required of her.

Secondly, she is arguably the first British singer able to compete vocally with the great American pop divas like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion. The lung-busting million-notes-a-bar style (melisma, to give it its correct name) may not be to everyone’s taste but it sure sells records in the States.

But perhaps the single biggest factor is the people she’s got fighting her corner. Simon Cowell has more influence in American music circles than any British mogul for 30 years. Mind you, he is positively insignificant compared to Clive Davis, chairman of the RCA Music Group and music industry legend, who has taken Leona under his wing. And having a fan in Oprah never hurt anyone either.

Leona always looked capable of global superstardom. Now she is well on the way to achieving it.

Source: MSN