X-Factor

Shows like "The X-Factor" and "American Idol" really bring to light just how many delusional people there are out there. I'm truly amazed by all of the talentless contestants who come out of the woodwork to showcase their lack of touch with reality. Take the following woman. Someone needs to tell her that a high-pitched drone in no way counts as high-quality singing. Excuse me now, while I go tend to this earache.

If you haven't heard of Leona Lewis, you soon will. The winner of this season's X Factor (think American Idol) is tearing up the charts in the UK. Leona's single debuted in stores this week and has already broken records. Simon Cowell raves about Leona who chose to cover Kelly Clarkson's A Moment Like This for her first single. How very appropriate for a 21 year-old that has already broken the record for fastest selling download ever. Here's more:

She had already sold 150,000 downloads - meaning that she is now effectively in the top spot.

Lewis, mentored by X Factor judge Simon Cowell, needed to notch up around 200,000 single sales to achieve No1 this Christmas.

Record industry insiders predict she could achieve as many as one million sales by Sunday -far exceeding last year's X Factor winner Shayne Ward's total of 740,000 in his first week.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "Leona's single is already the fastest selling download in history and is now almost guaranteed to be the fastest selling single of the year.

"There has been a huge response to her as a contestant and when you consider eight million votes were cast then you have to assume a good deal of those people will be buying the song."

It's amazing what shows like American Idol and X Factor can do for a performer's career. Sounds like Leona will be big in '07! Stay tuned for more of the overseas sensation. To watch her performance and to see more pics of this future superstar just read more