Leona Lewis is to replace Nicole Scherzinger in the Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats.
The singer announced the news on Twitter, saying: “Can’t even believe this. I’m thrilled & honoured to announce I’ll be playing the part of Grizabella in CatsBroadway!”
Lloyd Webber tweeted: “Very excited to welcome @leonalewis to the CatsMusical family in CatsBroadway. #TeamALW.”
Lewis won The X Factor in 2006 and went on to achieve success with singles including Bleeding Love, Run and Better in Time.
Scherzinger who played the role in London withdrew from the production just before rehearsals began to return to the judging panel of the X Factor in the UK.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was reportedly furious over the matter stating that he “had gone out on a limb to get her for the London Palladium and Broadway and she had made him look foolish” going on to say “But never mind, there’ll be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony award.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Scherzinger as Lloyd Webber informally announced she would be returning to the X Factor no doubt to the ire of Simon Cowell and ITV who were after a big reveal for the flagging show.
The first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, Cats, will open on Broadway this summer at the Neil Simon Theatre with preview performances beginning 14 July 2016 and an official opening set for 31 July 2016.
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