http://www.broadwayworld.com/article...adway-20160526

I am so happy for her. Its brilliant to see her talent being recognised, hoping she does a great job.

That's lovely, well done 😂

Congrats to Leona, shes going to smash that vocal

Congratulations to her, hope it goes well

Wow so excited!

10 years after winning X Factor and she's about to star in an iconic role on Broadway, continue working with Ryan Tedder and Alesso for her new album and feature on Pitbull's new record, whilst signing a new deal with Def Jam.

So much to look forward to this year.

congratulations to her

Good to see this. This is the best route for her to take, as did Alex and Rachel Adedeji.

She's not actually shifting to musical theatre permanently though.

Congratulations to her. Though I do think it's ironic that some Leona fans mocked Alexandra Burke when she signed up for The Bodyguard.

Lol I wondered how long it would take for this to get mentioned. Still having a record deal and starring on Broadway is slightly different to the route Alex has took.

I love Alex and have never criticised her for taking The Bodygaurd gig, working in musicals is an incredible opportunity.

But Broadway is a step up and a huge honour, she'll be performing the most iconic Cats song each night and its only or 4 months, then she is going back to her own music, something Alex hasn't done.

She has the support of Def Jam in America behind her who are currently working on getting her features, as of right now she is confirmed to be on Pitbull's new album (out July), has been in the studio with Alesso and has others in the works apparently. Plus there is a new charity single being released soon.

She has also started work on her new album and is working with Ryan Tedder again, the future is looking bright for Leona.

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I don't think Broadway is a step up on the West End - however it is great to see so many winners being recognised as having great vocal talent, by landing lead roles in musicals. Good news for Leona, I'm very happy for her.

I'd say it definitely is. Being on stage in New York is a far bigger deal than being on stage in London because (a) America is generally a bigger deal than the UK and (b) theatre stars get a lot more respect and publicity in America than in the UK.

We'll have to agree to disagree - they have equal prestige.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...y-9638088.html

https://theatrefullstop.wordpress.co...omment-page-1/

So happy for her.

It's amazing that she can stay signed to two huge record labels, record new material and land an iconic role on Broadway! It's something most other X Factor contestants can only manage one of.

I'm sure they do. I also have never understood people putting down any of the X Factor winners who have successful runs in a musical. It's a much harder path than some pop stars follow and requires more talent, I think.

As an earlier poster mentioned, it's a tribute to the singing talent of a number of winners that they are considered good enough for these roles. I think the public generally votes for the best singer on the X Factor. Becoming a successful pop star can be another matter.

Having said that, launching a revival of a major musical on either Broadway or the West End is probably the biggest deal for any of the winners so far. You just have to look at the press coverage for Cats to see that. And not everyone has Andrew Lloyd Webber say this about them:


I wish her well.

They're both very prestigious establishments and even though from what I've seen I actually think the standard on West End is higher than that on Broadway - I think it definitely has to be said that staring in a Broadaway show gains you much more attention than staring in a West End show and is more likely to further your career. The Tony Awards are a good example of this - a much more documented and prestigious award than the West End equivalent of the Olivier award. It's why many British theatre stars aspire to appear in a Broadway show and are seen as really having made it if they manage to do so. I really like Alex and The Bodyguard, but I think it has to be said that starring in the biggest role in one of the most iconic shows in musical theatre history definitely beats taking over mid run in a show that is no way near the status of Cats.

I'm sure Leona will make a brilliant Grizabella, well done to her!

I just massively disagree with this whole Broadway is better thing. It isn't. I like Alex and Leona equally, so I'm not being competitive for one over the other here. However, getting the role is one thing, getting good reviews is another. Alex got great feedback, it will be interesting to see the critics verdict on Leona. They don't like stunt casting as a rule, so she has a lot to prove that she deserves the role over a seasoned musical theatre professional.

Just out of curiousity, did Leona land the role only because Nicole Scherzinger pulled out? Or was it always intended for them to share it?

She's a replacement. I think Nicole made a rather short term decision by choosing to drop out, and go back to XF. In the short term, there is greater exposure from being on the XF. But as we all know, she could get just one season's exposure, and will then be looking for new opportunities to take her through the rest of her career. But she's just annoyed one of the most powerful men on both Broadway and the Westend, and that could shut the door on her career there for many years to come.

I respect any of the XF contestants who continue to add to their careers, and I wish Leona all the best. I still look forward to her next album and her song for Yulin and the collab with Pitbull.

Yeah this is the point I was trying to make. But I am by no means trying to discredit the West End. I think also it is to do with each nation's general attitudes towards musical theatre. A lot of Brits (going by various online forums) rubbish and mock "failed popstars" who move to musical theatre. Whereas in the US, it seems to be viewed as an artist just adding another string to their bow and gaining more credibility. I think Americans in general appreciate musical theatre more.

well its Nicole Scherzinger lost Leona's gain and i know simon cowell is trying to get x factor back as the number one show in Great Britain and Ireland and its still not happening, Leona is going to do well in Cats