Everyone is buzzing about Simon Cowell discovery Leona Lewis. Her debut album, Spirit, was a shoo-in to debut at #1 thanks to the powerful machine of Clive Davis and J Records, her riveting performances on the U.K, talent program X Factor, and the runaway success of Leona's debut single an video, "Bleeding Love" (which she recently performed on American Idol ). The lady is already poised to make music chart history, the first British female artist and act to debut at #1 on the U.S. charts with her very first album.

The following interview will familiarize you with where this stunningly beautiful talent has been...the better to prepare you to follow her wherever she is going.

How long has music been important to you?
I've been singing since I was really young. The first memories I have are of sitting in the back of my Dad's car singing along to his records. He used to DJ part time so a lot of his records influenced my musical tastes, styles and the way I sing. My mum was a dance teacher so I'd be dancing all the time. Performing arts have been a big part of my growing up.

What songs inspired you?
One of the first songs I heard was a Minnie Riperton record. I used to listen to Oleta Adams, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston – those really big, powerful songs.

Tell us about where you grew up.
I come from the East end of London, I live in Hackney and I have lived there since I was about six. It's quite a down to earth place, it keeps me really grounded. I still live in Hackney now, mainly because all my family lives there.

Have you always wanted to be a singer?
Since I have been singing since I was so young, I naturally thought that that is what I wanted to do when I got older. My family were supportive of me, they were like 'whatever, it's your passion'.

Tell us about the BRIT School.
The BRIT school was just great and gave me such a good foundation to really build on my recording, songwriting and playing instruments as well.

How much experience did you have singing live before appearing on the X Factor?
I'd done live performances literally since I was about six as I went to a Performing Arts school so we did shows every term, and then I went to the Brit school when I was 14 - which is actually sponsored by the British Recording Industry - and I went there and not only do you do theatre and performance you also study production and recording techniques.

When did you first meet Simon Cowell?
When I first met Simon I was on my first X Factor Audition. It was Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Paula Abdul and Sharon Osbourne so it was really scary to stand in front of all four of them. But I got some positive feedback and they put me through to the next round. And since then, Simon's been such a great mentor to me - throughout the show and beyond. He's had so much input to recording the album and has been so wonderful in giving me the time to make the album, I'm really appreciative of all that he's done.

How does it feel to have the support from Clive Davis?
To meet Clive Davis was just so wonderful and such an honour; that he has wanted to help with the album is incredible. He's been behind my idols, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys, so to have him wanting to help me has been amazing.

What is it like being compared to the greatest female artists?
To have comparisons with such amazing female artists when I'm just starting out is just incredible. Whitney and Mariah Carey have had such long and successful careers so obviously I've got a lot of ground work to do.

Tell us about your first single "Bleeding Love".
With 'Bleeding Love' there are a lot of layers to the song. It's a very emotional lyric and it can relate to a lot of different relationships, especially in the chorus, so as I've gone on to sing it, I've found new feelings for it.

Describe making the video for "Bleeding Love".
It was a real 'pinch-yourself' moment as there were so many people around and it was such a big set. It was just amazing that I was getting the chance to do this and it makes you feel very grateful.

What does the song "Bleeding Love" mean to you?
It's about someone who has been shut off from love and about falling in love and being in love again. So it's a positive song - as well as about feeling hurt and lost, it's about feeling love again.

How would you sum up your album Spirit?
My album is a chapter on me and an introduction to me. It's emotional, it goes through hurt and heartache but also the positive sides of love. "Hear I Am" is a song that is very relevant. I wrote that with Walter A, who did a lot of the Mariah stuff and is someone that I have always wanted to work with so that song is one that you can turn on when you're quite sad. There's "Whatever it Takes" which is an upbeat song that bring happiness, so there's sadness and happiness. It's very emotional. It represents me and I put my heart and soul into it and I just hope that everyone can connect with it.

Did you contribute to the writing of the album?
On the album I got to write, which is something very natural to me as I started when I was 12. I can express myself and it's a very important part of my music. I got to record and write loads and then it got whittled down to what's on the album now which best represents me and crosses many borders. There are two songs which I have written and the "Bleeding Love" B-side called "Forgiveness". So that's a big part of what I do and something I will continue in the future.

Is it easier to connect to a song that you have written?
It's very encouraging when people give you that respect and they want to write with you, to be involved. It's an important part of my music as writing your own music is a big part of expressing it. I had to sing covers before and you have to find a song that really connects with you emotionally but obviously writing does let you connect more with the song.

Are you currently writing?
I'm always writing. I've always got different ideas. I'd love to continue writing for myself and for others in the future.

Does Spirit have global appeal?
I think that personally, my album can connect on a world basis as so many different backgrounds can connect with the music. I think to go to America and work with American produces gives it that flavour. I've also worked with Swedish and British producers so it has a very worldly sound.

Do you play an instrument?
I think it's important on any level to play an instrument as it helps so much whilst writing and I play a little bit of the piano and guitar which helps me a lot with putting down a track that I want to write.

How do you look after your voice?
As I've always had singing lessons, I've always stuck to what I've done. I always warm up my voice and I guess it's like any athlete when exercising as the voice is a muscle. I still do my classical repertoire as that's what I started off doing so it's all about keeping a balance, having fun and enjoying it.

What songs do you warm up with?
When I warm up, I love to sing "My Funny Valentine" – that's a great song to warm up to when you do the Chaka Khan version as she does a lot of runs and going up and down in range, and "Anytime You Need A Friend" by Mariah Carey is a great song to sing as it's just a feel-good and positive song.

You have been dressed by some of the top designers, but what do you wear at home?
To have dresses given to me by Cavalli and Dolce & Gabana as well is just amazing - I never thought I'd be wearing their dresses, to wear them is just incredible. I feel very glam and wear their dresses on shoots and I feel creative. But when I'm at home, I obviously don't slouch in front of the TV in a big old Cavalli gown. I'm just a jeans and t-shirt girl. I love Topshop brands, Chloe, and cute little designers. I mix and match everything now.

Is there one place in the world you would really like to make an impact?
I think that worldwide, everywhere is important for me. Just as I've done so much in the UK, I'd love to do the same in Europe and in America and Asia. I would love my music to connect with as many people round the world as possible. America is every artists dream to be able to connect with people over there. The opportunity given to me by Clive Davis is something I'm seizing with both hands as it's so incredible that I have this chance.