Saturday, 12 December 2009

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Stacey Solomon leaves The X Factor

Could Simon Cowell be planning to turn X Factor's Stacey into a new global superstar?

Stacey Solomon was mentored by Dannii Minogue

Simon Cowell's heaped praise on Stacey Solomon week after week on The X Factor.

The single mum from Dagenham is now out of the contest but sources say the music mogul can't wait to turn her into the next Leona Lewis.

He is rumoured to have huge plans for Stacey, including a game plan to break the US over the next 12 months once the show finishes tomorrow.

‘Simon's made it clear that he'll make her a star,' reveals a show insider. ‘And if anyone can make it happen, it's him.

'He's convinced she's got just the right mix of personality, looks, talent and vulnerability that'll make her the natural successor to Leona. She's incredibly popular with the UK viewers and he knows that she'll be just as successful with an American audience.'

One insider says that Simon, 50, has already signed up Stacey and, with a 35 per cent stake in any of her future earnings, he's determined to make her a global success on the scale of Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle, who's also signed to his record label.

While Simon's spokesman denies this, our insider adds that Stacey's hard-working ethos has been a hit with fans and fellow contestants alike.


A personal part of Stacey's appeal is that Simon sees something of himself in the 20-year-old.

‘People see Stacey as ditzy, but it's really just nerves,' says our insider. ‘They don't see how she is behind the scenes. She's very professional, making an effort with the crew and asking how they are.

'She's been far and away the hardest working act on the show and is never, ever late for rehearsals, sound check or make-up. She's a complete professional already - and she's only been doing this a few months.'

See the full story about Stacey Solomon in Now magazine dated 16 December 2009 - out now!

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