X Factor winner Leona Lewis will replace Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats.
The singer announced the news on Twitter.
Can't even believe thisš I'm thrilled & honored to announce I'll be playing the part of Grizabella in @CatsBroadway! pic.twitter.com/MUpdSRaGW3
ā Leona Lewis (@leonalewis) May 26, 2016
The part had been played by former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger in London and she was due to return to the theatre for the Broadway version but pulled out just before rehearsals began.
Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed she dropped out to return to the UKās X Factor judging panel and admitted he was āfuriousā about it.
(Ian West/PA)
At the time he told The Economist Radio: āI mean, sheās crazy. But the American producers just took a view ā āWell, fine, weāll get somebody elseā, because sheās actually not very well known in America, amazingly. Sheās much better known here.ā
The musical theatre supremo said Scherzingerās move had made him look foolish.
(Peter Byrne/PA)
He said: āIām furious because I really believe sheās the most fantastically talented girl and I went out on a limb to get her for the London Palladium here, and it makes me look like an absolute twot with them all.
āBut never mind, thereāll be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award.ā
Very excited to welcome @leonalewis to the @CatsMusical family in @CatsBroadway. #TeamALW. https://t.co/VolPDvMs3w
ā Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 26, 2016
Lewis won the third series of The X Factor in 2006 and went on to achieve success with singles including Bleeding Love, Run and Better In Time.
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