Introductions...Kate Thornton: Now we're back with the 16 to 24s and Simon.
Simon Cowell: Okay, next up it is the absolutely amazing Leona.
Intro clip...Leona: Last week I just really got lost in the music and the lyrics.
Simon Cowell: (Flashback) You are the best contestant I have ever had across any of these shows.
Leona: I remember just turning to Kate and thinking, "I'm not gonna cry.
I'm not gonna cry." Ever since I was a little girl, all I've ever wanted to do is music. A couple of months ago I was working as a receptionist sitting at my desk and just day-dreaming about being a singer and now I'm actually doing it and it's unbelievable.Louis Walsh: Leona was amazing last week, but I don't think she can get any better on the show. I think she could have peaked very early.
Simon Cowell: I'm nervous about her this week with the song I've chosen. Very different to anything she's ever done before.
Leona: Björn really helped me to understand the meaning of the song.
Björn Ulvaeus: (With Leona during rehearsals) Read the words again...
Leona: Yeah.
Björn Ulvaeus: ...and... and try to put yourself into the place of that person.
Leona: This song has a real story to it and I'm hoping it's gonna show a different side to me.
Back live...Kate Thornton: Ladies and gentlemen, it's Leona!
(Cheering and Applause.) Leona sings...
¯ Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong ¯ You're enchained by ¯ Your own sorrow ¯ In your eyes ¯ There is no hope for tomorrow ¯ How I hate to see you like this ¯ There is no way you can deny it ¯ I can see that you're ¯ Oh so sad, so quiet ¯ Chiquitita ¯ You and I know ¯ How the heartaches ¯ Come and they go ¯ And the scars they're leavin' ¯ You'll be dancin' once again ¯ And the pain will end ¯ You will have no time for grievin' ¯ Chiquitita ¯ You and I cry ¯ But the sun is still in the sky ¯ And shining above you ¯ Let me hear you sing once more ¯ Like you did before ¯ Sing a new song ¯ Chiquitita ¯ So the walls came tumblin' down ¯ And your love's a blown out candle ¯ All is gone and it seems ¯ Too hard to handle ¯ Oh, Chiquitita ¯ You and I cry ¯ But the sun is still in the sky ¯ And shining above you ¯ Let me hear you sing once more ¯ Like you did before ¯ Sing a new song ¯ Chiquitita ¯
(Cheering and Applause.) Sharon Osbourne: Leona... Simon...
(Simon claps vigorously along with the audience.)Sharon Osbourne: Leona! Leona! Um, Simon chose a very pretty song for you to sing. It's a really beautiful song and of course, you know, with your vocal range it's - you can do no wrong, but one thing I just want to say is your vibrato. You go into vibrato a lot...
Leona: Yeah.
Sharon Osbourne: ...And you've just got to be careful not to go into that Christina shaky lip thing... (Leona laughs) ...because it's easy to fall into that trap... but you know, great... I'd love to see next week you sing something more uptempo to see that side of you... but as usual, you know, great vocal performance.
Leona: Thank you.
Sharon Osbourne: Well done.
(Cheering and Applause.) Louis Walsh: Leona, you always do a good job. I thought last week you were absolutely brilliant. Tonight it was a bit like Mariah Carey singing an ABBA song. (Audience boos) But, you know, saying that, Leona...
Leona: Mariah Carey's a brilliant artist, so...
Louis Walsh: ...I do think you're great, and Leona, you could be the first girl to win the 'X Factor'.
Leona: Oh, thank you!
(Cheering and Applause.) Simon Cowell: Leona, I... I... I love Louis using, "You sound like Mariah Carey," as a negative. That's terrible. Leona, you know what? When I first met you, you were a very, very shy, insecure little girl. Over the last two weeks I've seen you come out of your shell. What I love about you is you're prepared to take a risk. You did not do a karaoke version of an ABBA song, which is the obvious thing to do. You made a massive attempt to do your thing on it. Once again, different league to anyone else we've heard tonight.
Kate Thornton: Thank you judges. "A different league" said Simon. "A potential female winner for the first time" said Louis.
Leona: (Stroking her hair, looking a bit stunned) Yeah.
Kate Thornton: What would you like to say back to that Leona?
Louis Walsh: Just, thank you so much. I mean, you know... oh, just thank you so much. I know you kind of say about Christina Aguilera and Mariah and I think they're wonderful artists and I am doing my own thing as well, so... but thank you so much. Just, thank you for the comments.
Kate Thornton: So she's grateful for the comments but she'd really thank you for your votes tonight... (Kate gives out the voting details) ...Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Leona.
(Cheering and Applause.)