MSN's X Factor Blog

Hi guys it's me again. I suppose, like me, you're all suffering from X Factor withdrawal symptoms. What are we going to do with our Saturday evenings now? But hey, it's not quite over yet, I've got some X Factor gossip for you. It's about Britain's answer to Mariah Carey, the new X Factor winner of 2006, Leona Lewis.
 
At her press conference straight after the show Leona revealed: "I still can't believe I've won. All I've ever wanted is to be a singer and now I've got the chance to make it a reality." She said: "My family have supported me through this competition. It has been as hard on them as it has for me! I definitely want to give them a holiday. They deserve it. I can't wait to spend time at home and catch up on sleep!"
 
Simon Cowell admitted that he'd recognised Leona's talent at her first audition, but hadn't known that she was such a star until the live shows. He said: "The moment she walked into the room, we all knew that she was special. But it was when she sang Summertime at the live shows that I thought 'This girl could be a superstar'. It's been a long time since we've had a singer like Leona in the UK. She could be the next Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. She is amazing."
 
So it looks like Leona is set for international stardom; Simon has already revealed that he has been approached by music mogul Clive Davis, whose acts include Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston, about the possibility of working with her. I personally believe that he'd closed the deal with Clive Davis ages ago. Simon revealed on Saturday's live final that Leona would be signed to Clive Davis whether she won or lost the X Factor. 
 
Winning The X Factor is only the start of Leona's career. The bookies already have her single, A Moment Like This, tipped to be Christmas No 1. Apparently in the first 30 minutes of release, the digital download beat all records, selling 50,000 copies. So the future looks bright for Leona. Congratulations once again; you deserve that holiday and the £1millon recording contract...and by the way is there any room on that Caribbean cruise for an exhausted blogger?
 
Ray Quinn hasn't done too badly for himself either. Simon revealed to the Daily Mirror: "I told Ray I was going to sign him. I wasn't going to tell him yet, but I had to after he behaved in such a dignified manner. His reaction was amazing. After what he did for Leona, I didn't want him to go home miserable. We're sending him to LA to record a swing album in the same place Frank Sinatra used."
 
So it looks like we haven't heard the last of Ray Quinn either. I reckon he'll end up doing just as well as last year's runner up Andy Abrahams. But how about the other contestants, what will become of them? Will Ben Mills get a record deal and become the next Bono? Will Robert become the next RnB sensation and be heralded as Britain's answer to R Kelly? And will the MacDonald Brothers release Shangalang / 500 Miles and clean up at the Brit Awards next year? Only time will tell.
 
But hey, we've had some great fun over the last few months with the X Factor haven't we? I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank all of the contestants for keeping us so entertained...especially the MacDoogles. We salute you and wish  you chart success. And by the way I'm still waiting for a reply in connection with my request to become president of your fan club.
 
I'd also like to thank you lovely readers for all your emails and comments, which has really made doing this blog a lot of fun. And to any readers who I may have upset, please remember my motto: we aims to please but sometimes we displease!
 
Thanks very much for reading and here's a selection of some of the kind comments that I've received over the last two months and your views on Saturday's final.
 
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Hi Mr Blog.

Great reading, but what i would like to know is, What's happened to "Shane Ward" last years winner, Simon made him out to be the best thing since sliced bread and went on to say he would have a huge career, he did not even appear on this years Final Show.....strange dont you think ? If anyone knows how Shane is doing please let me know.

Regards. G.G.

Hi, I thought your blog was fantastic, I only started reading it part way through but then I had to look every day! I especially liked your bits on the Macdoogles, cracked me up!
Thanks, Becca

Hello
I am Iryna (sorry for my english). Ukrainian beauty has not got it yet. I just write to say I love you, I mean your blog. Just love it. Language, style, everything. I am journalist myself so you could make a good money by doing it professionally. Good luck in everything you do. And trust me to receive this compliment from a  girl, who does not give that much away it is a big thing. I think you great! Bye.
Regards, Iryna
 
Your blog is the most entertaining part of the X Factor series. Am sending a bit of goss. for you from my local paper.
Pen

I can't believe the winner is going to release a cover of another reality TV singer's song! You would hope that after people have paid money to vote week after week, that they would have the decency to write a new song!!  I think it's a joke to be honest.
Sarah
 
Well I have to say I am gutted. I don't agree - I think it's rare that Ray sings off key and tonight I thought he was way better than Leona - she was OK but he was brilliant - I really hope he goes on to be successful
Martin
 
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May the Force be with you. Until next year... adios! I'm outta here.
 
Will Leona be an international star? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

This was Simon Cowell's final in every sense of the word - on the one hand, he had Raymond Quinn, but on the other, he had Leona Lewis. All week Leona Lewis was everyone's favourite to win; every day (it seemed) there was a story about her in the papers. Ray Quinn, on the other hand was the underdog, but continued to gain support in the days leading up to the final. Who would be crowned X Factor winner 2006? Would it be the King of Swing Ray Quinn or East London's answer to Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis?

On to the hour-and-a-half final. In addition to Ray and Leona singing, the time needed to be padded out somehow. In between  some of Kate Thornton's questions and urges for people to vote, there were filler acts. I especially liked the version of Earth Song performed by the awful auditioners (or is it auditionees?). That was hilariously bad! And can I say that they performed it better than Michael Jackson's travesty at the World Music Awards? At least they sung it all the way through (unlike the King Of Flop who could only manage a few lines of 'We Are The World'). Little Sean, the 16-year-old who missed out on the live shows due to his nerves, finally got to sing to a live audience. There was still a trace of nervousness (perfectly natural), and there were points where he sounded like a braying sheep, but overall, the audience were very kind to him.

The time was also filled with the final 12 coming back to sing for the last time ever on national TV (for most, if not all, of them). We were reminded of contestants we'd already forgotten: 4Tune, The Unconventionals, Dionne 'I ain't no backing singer' Mitchell...You could almost hear the desperation in their voices: 'remember me! Remember me! Remember me!' Of course we'll remember you. Next time we order a Happy Meal, we'll say: "Hey, I remember you off the X Factor!"

I should also mention that Andi Peters was at the pressing plant, ready to press the button to manufacture copies of Kelly Clarkson's song A Moment Like This as soon as the winner was announced. After hearing Ray's version, I bet he pressed the button before the announcement...So in between all the filling of time by Kate Thornton and the pointless (but funny for all the wrong reasons) cutaways to Jade Goody's ex boyfriend, Jeff Brazier and Myleene Klass, there was a contest to win. How did the two finalists do? Well, it always felt like Leona's final. Basically, it was her crown to lose and she didn't mess it up. She won it emphatically with the final song in my opinion... 

1st song
Ray Quinn: My Way - by Frank Sinatra
 
Ray opened the show with 'My Way', and I must admit I was a bit surprised seeing as it is best performed as a farewell song. His rendition of the Sinatra classic was OK, but nothing we haven't already heard before from him. If I have a criticism, it's that, Like Leona, he didn't really surprise us on the night. The beginning was a little weak, which is a trait of his, but he came alive in the middle and ended on a high. As usual the audience was entertained and so was I.
My rating: 7/10
 
Judges' Comments
 
Louis: "All I can say is you've come a long way. You are ambitious, hard working, people like you and I think you can win it."
Sharon: "You definitely did it your way, all I can say is best of luck."
Simon: "All I can say is you are Teflon aren't you? This is the song that changed it for you. You came in to win, the public love you and I think you may win it." 

2nd song - That's Life by Frank Sinatra. Duet with Westlife
 
If I say that Yawnlife...I mean Westlife probably killed Ray's chances, their fans won't be happy. However, they all looked like they were having fun and the song came across well. Simon was against this song choice because he thought it was too much in the same vein as My Way. However, Westlife agreed to make a surprise guest appearance and rehearsed the song the night before with Ray, who they described as a true professional.
My rating: 7/10
 
3rd song - Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra
 
Ray's best performance; it definitely put him ahead of Leona at this point. He showed star quality with this number and proved that he can be a true showman.
 
Judges' Comments:
 
Louis: "Ray you are a true professional. If anyone was a born entertainer, you are. I loved you in the first audition."
Sharon: "Mr entertainment you should be called because there is nothing you can't do."
Simon: "Ray you have had an outstanding night young man. I'm so happy I took a chance on you. You are on your way to winning the X Factor."
Ray: "My respect goes out to all three judges. I just wanted to make Simon proud. Pick up the phone for both of us. Leona is amazing and we both deserve to be there."
My rating 9/10

1st song
Leona Lewis - I Will Always Love You By Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston
 
As soon as it started, my heart sank. Yes she can sing. Yes she can imitate Whitney Houston's arrangement of this song very well. But a little variety would've been great. However, like Ray, Leona played to her strengths and it was ballads all the way for her including this classic. It was OK, but I wasn't exactly blown away by it. Leona went off key with one of the high notes and at that point, I ducked for cover behind the sofa fearing that the TV would explode from the shrill...but hey, she got through it with her dignity intact, so who cares if she messed up a little?
My rating: 7/10
 
Judges' Comments
 
Louis: "Leona, that was an incredible performance. You have some very rare talent. You have star quality. I predict that you are gonna sell records worldwide."
Sharon: "I have to agree, if there ever is gonna be a contestant that will be a huge star, it's you."
Simon: "You have delivered week after week. I am told that this country will never produce anyone who will represent Great Britain on the world stage, you have proven them wrong."
Leona: "Thank you so much, I'm so happy to be sharing this with Ray. Thanks to everyone who has picked up the phone." 
 
2nd song - A Million Love Songs duet with Take That

It has to be said, this performance blew the audience away. She sounded very natural singing along with Gary Barlow and the rest of the lads. It almost sounded as if it had always been written to be sung with a female co-lead. After her performance, Leona admitted: "It's amazing, I feel so lucky and so honoured working with the guys".
 
Gary Barlow said to Simon: "Both contestants are great, but this girl is probably fifty times better than any other contestant you have ever had, so you have a big responsibility to make the right record with her." I couldn't figure out if his comments were meant as a threat, or if he was just trying to flog Simon a few songs that had been gathering dust from his failed stint as a solo artist.
My rating 9/10
 
3rd song - All by Myself by Eric Carmen
 
Another same-old, same-old performance. Hearing that everlasting note at the end doesn't quite have the same impact the second time around though. No surprises from Leona - just cool professionalism.
 
Judges' comments
 
Louis: "That was an amazing, emotional and powerful performance and you are the first contestant I could compare with, Maria, Whitney, Christina etc."
Sharon: "As usual faultless. It's a travesty if you don't win this contest."
Simon: "Leona, if there was one performance that is so important that was it. I think that final note may have won you the X Factor. I'll take your personality any day."
My rating 8/10

With months of auditions and three months of live shows, The X Factor was reaching its climax. After having performed three songs each, the £1 million recording contract hinged upon our opinion of the winner's song, the Kelly Clarkson hit, 'A Moment Like This'.
 
Ray Quinn performed first, and this was where he blew any hopes he had of snatching the crown from Leona. In my opinion, he shouldn't have even bothered going on the stage. Ray sounded (and looked) like a ten-year-old attempting a Karaoke number for the first time; in fact, infants performing school Nativity plays sing better. My family all looked at each other and my sister-in-law went to put the kettle on. It was all over. We knew that even a Leona with a throat infection would absolutely wipe the floor with what Ray had delivered.

And so to Leona's version. She came. She sang. She conquered. They say it's not over until the fat lady sings - well the fat lady had left the building for a Big Mac at that point. I had Ray slightly ahead of Leona until the final song, but once Leona started singing there could be only one winner. 
 
The Judges Comment Before The X Factor 2006 Winner Is Announced

Simon said that it was, "a ding-dong of a show." Commenting on round one, Louis said: "I have to pick Leona because her voice was incredible." Sharon chose Leona as the act who had won round one and Simon said: "I have to be impartial tonight. I thought both contestants had an incredibly good night."
 
Judging on round two, Sharon said: "Westlife and Ray - I was taken back, it was fantastic; it was a showstopper. You can tell Ray loves what he does." Simon said: "All credit to Westlife and Take That. They came on and embraced it because not many artists that would come on and share the spotlight. Total magic. Very difficult to get this together. We were originally doing Christmas songs, but ditched them on Thursday night because we got calls from Take that and Louis gave Westlife a call and both groups wanted to duet."
 
Commenting about round three, Simon said about Leona's All By Myself: "I thought it was a staggeringly good performance, one of the hardest songs to sing but, it was extraordinarily good." Sharon said: "Ray, as always is so entertaining but I am dying to hear Leona's new album. Ray is the constant entertainer and Leona is the voice."  
 
Once again, Kate Thornton did her best to generate some tension and excitement. After a pause, she announced Leona as, not only the first female X Factor finalist, but also the first female X Factor winner. Congratulations Leona!
 
Join me tomorrow for my final entry where I'll give you my view of X Factor 2006 and also publish some of your comments. Bye for now.

Can Leona achieve international pop success? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board