I prefer Leona's version since I prefer a little power in performances. I didn't watch Pop Idol 1 but it seems like she has a good voice.

And I know it's just opinion but I find it laughable that people say thousands of girls have a voice like Leona. Maybe they do but I've not seen that many on talent shows or breaking it into the music industry. Having a big voice and going for big notes is quite common but not that many have the same range as her and hardly anyone I know has the same tone as her.

But Hayley's voice is quite common I'm afraid , in my opinion.

PLus PMSL at the "Bleeding Love" is an easy song to sing. I've not seen anyone sing it without struggling , especially the last bit. I have many Youtube vids to prove it. Even the good versions , which are extremely rare sound a bit off at the last bit , whereas Leona doesn't.

Its ok.. nothing special.

Not everyone wants to have a recording on youtube

You go aheadd and PYSL as much as you want, it is an easy song to sing

not everyone wants to put vocal gymnastics in it as Leona does

I have heard plenty of girls and women do really good versions of BL

Well answer me this

If Leona is so special and has such a unique sound

why didnt she hit the bigtime without the Xfactor

Bland.

I have to say, Leona's vocal gymnastics do grate on me though.

LOL, I find it hard to believe that people on this forum are actually naive enough to believe that being talented = automatic discovery.

talented trained from a young age with recordings in the states an an album pressed and no fame

good job Simon had the Xfactor to promote the 'receptionist'

I would have had more respect if they had not made out she was a lowly receptionist

She only recorded the album in the States , she didn't release it. It was only a demo. Are you familiar with the concept of going abroad to recored demo tapes? Lots of acts do it , some of those being "discovered" and becoming mainstream later.


Could that "no fame" be a result of her not actually releasing the album anywhere?

Oh...and for the record , Leona was a receptionist before she entered the X Factor so it's not like they blatantly lied.

Oh...and for the record , Leona was a receptionist before she entered the X Factor so it's not like they blatantly lied.



No they just took ages to mention she was at The Brit school and had years of recording experience. Hayley's voice is so much better and easier to listen to. She actually finds the note she is looking for and sticks to it.

Hayley's version is far superior. I just wish she had the same PR team behind her.

LOL, there's a lot of undiscovered talent out there, it doesn't make them less talented just because they haven't had a big break yet. You agreed Hayley is a great singer, but for some reason you seem to be ignoring the fact that she also had to go on a talent show to be known by a wider audience, when you've used this to criticise another singer, Leona, who you don't like.

Since you seem to think being immediately discovered is an indication of talent, then why do you think Hayley is better when she wasn't discovered before Pop Idol and when she still hasn't "hit the bigtime" since being on it?

Just listened to Hayley's version - thanks for posting it OP. It's kind of dull, I've heard much better cover versions on Youtube. And I don't remember who she was, and I've watched both series of Pop Idol and have a good memory of the contestants with something different about them and something distinctive to their voice. I have yet to hear a version of this song that has bettered the original. And people say that Leona's version was over-rated!

Hayley wasnt discoverd before Pop Idol and I didnt expect her to be

but with leonas track record before Xfactor and the hype that she got from simon I would expect her to have made an impression without the Xfactor but then IMO she may well have been noticed and the Xfactor was used to promote her

as for hayley being better, I think they are both talented but i much prefer Hayleys versions of BL and Whitney, I like her pure sound whereas there are too many vocal gymnastics in leonas BL

As for Hayley being dull, all I have to say is that she has more stage presence, personality and emotion in her little finger than Leona has in her whole body

none of this simpering 'Amazing' every other word

AMAZING you cant remember Hayley in pop idol as she made quite the impression on Simon

Remember Simon was just learning his manipulation of the masses in Pop Idol

average??? No way! Different from LL but still blooming good.

LOL is she Hayley Evetts still around?
Even though I really don't like dullard Leona her version was much better, as was Whitney's original I have nothing

no one beats Whitneys original

Ok... but I still don't see why you use the fact that someone was undiscovered as criteria as to whether they're talented or not. As I said, there is still a lot of undiscovered talent who have been trying to break into the industry just as Leona tried before the X Factor. Just because they haven't made a break yet doesn't make them less special or talented.


Fair enough. I like the "vocal gymnastics" so it's all down to taste, Leona is my cup of tea but certainly not yours, and vice versa with Hayley.


As I don't remember any of Hayley's performances, I can't say anything about her presence, personality etc. but if she had made any sort of impact on me like Leona has then I would've remembered her. I still remember other Pop Idol contestants today who made an impression on me even though they're not around anymore. And as said above, we have different tastes and will probably never agree on this matter, so we may as well agree to disagree.


I don't pick and choose my favourites based on who Simon likes. Just because Simon was impressed doesn't mean I should be too.

That explains her complete lack of personality
I always wondered why I did not like her, I couldnt understand what It was that made her so unlikable, thank you cos now I know.

I wish she had have made it, I supported her pre-Pop Idol, when she was in Popstars lol...she's the only contestant from any singing show that I remember well, complete package of looks, charisma and talent.

Me too. I thought she had a great voice.

Fully agree. For some reason, she slipped through the net. Hope she get's another opportunity.

Hayley Evetts, now there's a name I haven't heard in a while!

I liked her in Pop Idol.

If Hayley had released BL I would have bought it even though the lyrics are awful - she's got a brilliant voice! She's the only one I voted for on Pop Idol.

Don't know how anyone can say she's got no power in her voice.

And her version of Whitney's I Have Nothing that's linked to this one is wonderful.

Give me a choice of listening to Hayley or the dreaded overhyped Leona, Hayley would win hands down.

Jessica Garlick was the best singer in PI1 imo, I much prefered her to Hayley.