Leona Lewis is a "great role model" for young people, Simon Cowell says. The music mogul, who had discovered the 23-year-old singer while she was just a contestant on "The X-Factor," says his protege hasn't let fame go to her head.

Lewis shot to stardom after her win in the U.K. TV talent contest. Her debut single "Bleeding Love" has been number one in more than 20 countries and reports say that she is heading towards the $100million-mark contract.

Cowell, who also judges another talent show - American Idol - in the U.S., says the talented singer is a great role model for the youth and that she has an incredible future ahead.

He says, "Leona has got her feet firmly on the ground and isn't getting carried away by all of this. She takes nothing for granted."

"She has an incredible future ahead - but I only want her to do it if she's happy and enjoying herself."

He continues, "Leona is a great role model for young people on both sides of the Atlantic. She is a lovely person and there is no chance of her going off the rails."

RELATED PHOTOS AND ARTICLES
Leona Lewis - The Brit Awards 2008 - Red Carpet ArrivalsSimon Cowell - Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards - ArrivalsSimon Cowell - Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards - ArrivalsSimon Cowell - Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards - ArrivalsSimon Cowell - 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - ArrivalsSimon Cowell - Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards - ArrivalsSimon Cowell - 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals
Paula Abdul Admits Secret Weird Crush On Simon CowellSimon Cowell Pays Mortgage Of Cancer-Striken Girl's Parents
Simon Cowell Buys $5M House For Leona LewisLeona Lewis' Hit Song Center Of Movie Studios War
Dolly Parton Hopes Her Musical Heads To London's West EndLeona Lewis' Bleeding Love The Center Of Bidding War For Hollywood Movies
READER COMMENTS (1)
May 2, 2008 - 04:53AM
Simon has this article right on. I heard Leona for the first time on American Idol, and her song captured my heart.
POST YOUR COMMENT
Name: (optional)
E-Mail: (required, but never displayed)
Remember your info for next time?
Profanity and other defamatory language is not allowed. Please keep it clean.