What would winning The X Factor mean to you?
“Winning The X Factor would be like a dream come true. To win it would be amazing and it would mean the world to me and to my family. I’d buy my Mum and Dad a house and then I think I would buy myself a car and have a little shopping trip!”

What are you particularly looking forward to?
“Just the whole experience of doing the shows and something different is going to be such an amazing experience I can’t wait, but I’ll miss my family, my friends and I’ll miss my dog Rome. But they are so proud of me and they just want me to go all the way. I’ve had so many texts and cards just saying you’ve worked so hard and it’s finally paying off. I’ve had so much support it’s been brilliant.” Do you come from a musical family and who are your musical influences? Leona comes from a musical family. She says “My Dad is into DJ-ing and my Mum was a dance teacher. I went to The Brits School in Croydon and my best subject was music and English Lit. But I loved music and dance.” And Leona cites several musical influences including Anita Baker, Alita Adams, Mariah Carey, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Wonder. My favourite artist right now is probably Whitney Huston and Roberta Flack. “My favourite album is probably ‘Thriller’ and my favourite single would be Mariah Carey’s ‘Can’t Let Go’.”

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in singing?
“When I was younger my Dad says I was sat in the back of the car and he would be playing old school music and he’d turn down the music and turn around and I’d be singing and knew all of the words, but I didn’t really know how to talk! From then I’ve always wanted to sing. I never pursued another career – I’ve always wanted to do music and have a singing career.”

What jobs have you done in the past and what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Leona has had a number of jobs in the past including working as a receptionist and as a waitress in Pizza Hut. “My best job was as a receptionist because my boss was really cool. I’ve been quite lucky in that sense.” In her spare time she enjoys writing, playing the guitar and the piano, films, dance and art.