April 16, 2008 19:26

Leona Lewis debuts at top of US chart

X Factor winner is first British woman to achieve the feat

Leona Lewis has become the first British woman to top the US Billboard chart.

The 'X Factor' winner's debut album 'Spirit' sold 205,000 copies in the US this week, garnering it the top spot on the chart.

The 23-year-old veteran of the British talent show also made history three weeks ago when her single 'Bleeding Love' hit Number One on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

Record producer and 'X Factor' and 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell, who groomed Lewis, said in a statement that her achievement is "simply incredible."

"This is the hardest market to crack and for her debut album to go in at Number One is unbelievable," he said.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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