Leona Lewis binned by record label ahead of Broadway debut as James Corden rocks the Tony Awards
Former X Factor winner is being axed by Island Records after making just ONE album as we reveal ceremony goss
LEONA LEWIS attended the biggest night in American theatre on Sunday and she hasn’t even made her Broadway debut in Cats yet.
The singer was at the Tony Awards in New York, hosted by Brit JAMES CORDEN, as the date of LORD ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER.
But her US success has been balanced out by tough career news back home.
I can reveal the 2006 X Factor champion is being axed by Island Records after making just one album.
Leona made the bold move to leave her long-time mentor SIMON COWELL’s record company Syco to join the trendy label, also home to U2, MUMFORD & SONS, FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE and JESSIE J.
But her only release under Island, which is part of music giant Universal, was a commercial flop.
I Am, her fifth album, was tipped as a return to her chart-topping form. But it entered the charts at a disappointing No12, selling just 8,500 copies in its first week last September.
Last night a source close to Leona revealed: “It simply didn’t work out with Island.
“She made a great record and the label really championed her but something just didn’t click.
“Universal is still very keen to keep her as part of the family so they will be holding a meeting next week to discuss her future.
“There has been interest from other labels too but right now she’s concentrating on her debut in Cats.”
Leona recently restored her friendship with Simon so a return to Syco isn’t out of the question, even though the album included some tough criticism of the music mogul.
The insider added: “She has always stayed great friends with Simon so it is definitely not beyond the realms of possibility.”
Last year Simon told me: “I have a real soft spot for Leona for so many reasons. I’d say to her, and I genuinely mean this, that the door will always be left open.
“Any time she ever thought, ‘I want to come back to Syco’ I’d welcome her with open arms.”
Leona remains a huge talent with one heck of a powerful voice. I have no doubt she’s going to bounce back even stronger, especially as she’s got Lord Lloyd Webber backing her to win a Tony next year.
Corden tipped to host next year's Oscars
NATIONAL treasure JAMES CORDEN has worked his way into American hearts too.
The Brit hosted the Tony Awards on Sunday in New York drawing its biggest audience in 16 years, and he went down so well he is now favourite to present next year’s Oscars.
“Theatre is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. Hate will never win.”
In the wake of America’s Orlando massacre, he told viewers: “Theatre is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. Hate will never win.”
There was fun, too, as he switched costumes to perform a hits medley from musicals such as Grease, The Sound of Music, Hamilton, The Lion King and Les Miserables – in a routine I revealed last week he had worked on with GARY BARLOW.
Gags included: “Think of tonight as the Oscars but with diversity. So diverse, Donald Trump has threatened to build a wall around this theatre.”
Flirting with OPRAH WINFREY, he joked: “There are many people tonight who could be taking away a Tony. Except this little lady, who could be taking home a James.”
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The night’s big winner was hit musical Hamilton, about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, which won 11 gongs.
Earlier, James larked on the red carpet with wife Julia Carey. Clearly not feeling the pressure one bit.
Winners
Best Musical - Hamilton
Best Original Score for Theatre - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Best Direction Of A Play – Ivo van Hove, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge
Best Direction Of A Musical - Thomas Kail, Hamilton
Best Actress In A Musical - Cynthia Erivo, in The Color Purple (played Celie Harris)
Best Actor In A Musical - Leslie Odom Jr, Hamilton for (role of Aaron Burr)
Laura race blast
LAURA MVULA doesn’t think the Oscars are the only awards with a diversity issue.
She missed out on a Brits gong in 2014 and the edgy Mercury Prize the year before.
Now she has suggested her skin colour was a factor in why she was overlooked.
She told Radio Times: “I lost the Brit award for best female to ELLIE GOULDING in 2014 and the Mercury Prize to JAMES BLAKE.
“The Mercury Prize hurt the most.
“What is difficult is that there is no cause and effect, it isn’t that black and white, but there are all kinds of issues and prejudices.
“I don’t think my chocolate skin helps in this context.”
It’s ridiculous that it’s still an issue in this day and age.
Kelly finds another 'one'
KELLY BROOK believes her partner JEREMY PARISI is “the one” – despite having only being with him for a year.
The model has had plenty of famous partners, including actors JASON STATHAM and BILLY ZANE and rugby player THOM EVANS.
But she says they all pale into insignificance when compared to her French judo champ boyfriend Jeremy, who she hinted would love to start a family.
She told OK! magazine: “I think he’s the one. He’s so lovely and family orientated. No drama, no stress.”
Her last engagement, to ex-Gladiator DAVID McINTOSH, had a messy ending, with the health fanatic claiming she had bullied him.
I won’t be surprised if Kelly’s latest relationship meets an equally sour end.
Speedy Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO prepared for the Euros with a sensory tasting menu by Michelin-starred chef Paco Roncero at Sublimotion restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotel, Ibiza. I hope he wore more than just his holiday Speedos.
So long, solo George
AFTER UNION J chucked GEORGE SHELLEY out of the band earlier this year, he has confirmed he is going solo. He said: “I’m in the studio quite a lot. Songwriting is a passion. I’m never going to stop doing music.”
