Dude, I totally wish FOX could work out a deal with ITV or whoever broadcasts X-Factor in Great Britain to show it stateside. Heck, they could air it a day after it runs overseas, and nobody would know the difference — and it would absolutely be a hit here.

Or perhaps I’m too much of an Idol nerd.

Alas, the queen of X-Factor 2007, Leona Lewis, will be making an appearance on FOX regardless, as part of Idol Season 7. According to dailystar.co.uk:

LEONA Lewis will appear on the next series of American Idol in a bid to crack the US.

The X Factor babe hopes to repeat her record-breaking chart antics across the pond this year, and mentor Simon Cowell, 48, believes his other TV talent show is the ideal place to launch her.

An American Idol insider said: “We always like to invite established guests onto the show to give the contestants an idea of the level they need to reach. Leona, with her incredible voice, fits the bill perfectly.”

The London lass, 22, whose album Spirit became the fastest selling UK debut ever, has made America her No 1 target for 2008.

Fresh

She told me: “It’s really exciting but I’m just taking one step at a time. It’s a fresh start for me over there because they won’t know me from X Factor.

“It’s a new challenge but one that I’m excited about.”
The Bleeding Love star is poised for major Stateside success after working with 44-year-old Whitney Houston’s
legendary mentor Clive Davis, 75, and established US hitmakers Dallas Austin, 37, Ne-yo, 28, and?Jesse McCartney, 20.

And?Leona’s good old fashioned ethic of hard work and perseverance is just what American TV audiences will love to see.
She added: “I think you have to be totally dedicated and hard-working. Things don’t just fall on your lap, you must always remember that. You have to keep at it for success.”

American Idol kicks off on US screens on January 15 but Leona won’t appear until later on in the series when the final 12 contestants are chosen to sing in the Hollywood TV studios.

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For those of you who don’t follow such things, Lewis is probably Simon Cowell’s favorite talent-show contestant ever. While she looks a tad like Cowell’s girlfriend, Terri Seymour, it’s her vocal chops that impress him the most. She sounds like Mariah Carey with a slight British edge.

To be perfectly honest, she’s not my cup o’ tea, but her talent leaves no doubt, as evidenced in this campy X-Factor clip.