After winning the 2006 X Factor, Leona Lewis took the world by storm with hit singles like “Bleeding Love” and “Happy.” But after two solid albums, she struggled to drop a third, prompting her to request an exit from Simon Cowell’s Syco Records, a partnership with Sony.
Lewis, who had been under the guidance of Cowell since her X Factor win, found it very difficult to tell the X Factor Creator she wanted out, so she sent him a feeler text message.
“I was nervous about telling Simon,” she told UK’s Guardian. “In fact I texted him first because I was too nervous to call him.”
She adds: “I’m not going to say exactly what Simon said but he was definitely a little disappointed I chose to leave. It was too late for him to persuade me though. I had already made up my mind.”
But no love lost, Leona says Simon treated her with respect during the ordeal.
"Simon is genuinely supportive and will always be instrumental in my career. I will still ask his advice," she said. "He told me the reason X Factor went to the US was because it had produced an international artist. I’m proud of coming from that show and Simon and I will always have a special bond."
Leona is currently promoting the new chick flick musical film, Walking On Sunshine, which is out June 27.
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