She tops a survey...
Jason Gregory

17:22 8th March 2011

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Leona Lewis has beaten the likes of M.I.A and the late Princess Diana to be named the most influential woman to live or work in London in the past century.


The former X Factor winner secured almost two-thirds of the votes in a poll conducted to coincide with the 100th International Woman’s Day today (March 8).

Other women in the survey, carried out by the daily Metro newspaper, included Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts and top female firefighter Dany Cotton.

Lewis launched her music career after winning The X Factor in 2006.

She has become one of the talent show’s most successful winner and is currently recording her third studio album, which is said to have dubstep influences.

Biggest Women In Music 2011

  • Katy Perry - After the success of her second album ‘Teenage Dream’, Katy Perry has hit the road in 2011 on her California Dreams world tour. Don’t worry, with dates across the globe, she will be calling at a town near you.

  • Rihanna - Seemingly unstoppable, Rihanna’s record sales in the UK have just past the 10 million mark, and with a UK and Ireland tour that goes on for months in the winter, there’s a chance you’ll be hearing a lot more from the singer this year.

  • Kylie Minogue - The Australian singer who originally found fame on the set of Neighbours has returned to the road on her Aphrodite tour, which sees Kylie sex up her act once again.

  • Britney Spears - Britney will be looking to reaffirm her position as one of the biggest female stars in music this year when she releases her new album ‘Femme Fatale’. Whether it will live up to people’s expectations of course, remains to be seen.

  • Beyonce - She might have been quiet for a while, but Beyonce is set to return in a big way this summer when she headlines the Glastonbury festival, and in doing so follows in the footstep of her superstar husband, rapper Jay-Z.

  • Shakira - She says her hips don’t lie, and there’s no denying that Shakira has been using them to good effect over the past few years. 2011 could again be another big year for thesinger as she readies a new album.

  • Cheryl Cole - There was once a time when Cheryl Cole was just a contestant on a TV talent show. Now she judges one, and, if the tabloids are to be believed, is set to head stateside in 2011 to take up the same role on The X Factor USA.

  • Keri Hilson - Keri Hilson has been on our radar for a while, but this year looks set to be her big one, with a collaboration with Chris Brown, entitled ‘One Night Stand’, already setting people’s tongues wagging.

  • Jessie J - Winner of the BBC’s Sound Of 2011 poll, Jessie J looks set to be on everyone’s lips this summer following the release of the infectious singles ‘Do It Like A Dude’ and smash hit ‘Price Tag’ featuring B.o.B.

  • Sarah Harding - Harding is widely expected to rejoin her Girls Aloud bandmates this year for a new album following an unsteady attempt to launch an acting career.

  • Christina Aguilera - Back on the road in support of her latest album, Christina Aguilera remains one of pop’s leading ladies over a decade after she launched her career.

  • Sugababes - They might no longer have a single original remaining member, but Sugababes are still one of the hottest groups in British music.

  • Gabriella Cilmi - She’s only 19, but the Australian singer already has two albums under her belt, including the worldwide hit, ‘Lessons to Be Learned’.

  • Lady Gaga - The new Queen of Pop is back on the road touring The Monster Ball, but forget that, May sees the long-awaited release of the singer’s new album ‘Born This Way’, which contains influences ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Bruce Springsteen.

  • Nicki Minaj - Big tunes and a big...Nicki Minaj has become one of the biggest names in hip-hop in less than twelve months. Look for 2011 to be the year when she becomes a global superstar.

  • Nicole Scherzinger - No longer being part of the Pussycat Dolls isn’t stopping Nicole Scherzinger from continuing to make music. The singer has confirmed that she is planning to collaborate with Plan B.

  • Hayley Williams - Following the sudden departure of Josh and Zac Farro, you could excuse Williams for wanting to take a break from all things Paramore. But instead this summerwill see the band return with a new EP and there’s a possibility of an album before the end of the year.

  • Eliza Doolittle - Rather unassuming, Eliza Doolittle has slowly turned herself into one of the most played female artists on British radio - but with hits as catchy as ‘Skinny Genes’ its perhaps no surprise.

  • Taylor Swift - You might not like country music, but the majority of America does and it’s helped propel Taylor Swift into one of the biggest names in the world.

  • Leona Lewis - Now responsible for her own wardrobe, Leona Lewis is attempting to shed the weight of the X Factor and regain control of her own career - apparently she’s working on a dubstep-inspired album.

  • Gwen Stefani - Following No Doubt’s recent reunion dates, the band are widely expected to return with a new album this year, with singer Gwen Stefani once again taking centre stage. She has confirmed that they have recorded ten songs for the project.

  • Fergie - The singer will join her Black Eyed Peas bandmates this summer at a host of festivals, including Wireless in London.

  • The Veronicas - They’ve been away for a couple of years, but 2011 will see the return of twins Jessica and Lisa Origliasso with a new, as-yet-untitled album.

  • Alison Mosshart - The hottest woman in alt-rock is back this summer with a new album alongside The Kills bandmate Jamie Hince.

  • Taylor Momsen - Not content with being one of the stars of US TV show Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen is back on the road touring with her Hole-esque punk band.

  • Florence Welch - Following the huge success of Florence & The Machine’s debut album ‘Lungs’, Florence Welch has been touring and promoting non stop in recent months. But the time will come this year when the singer readies the follow-up - and we, for one, will be waiting.

  • Avril Lavigne - You were just a boy (or a girl), she was your skater girl. We all remember it well, but Avril Lavigne is back and with new album ‘Goodbye Lullaby’.

  • Frankie Sandford - With The Saturday continuing to achieve success, Frankie Sandford has come a long way for a singer who first started out as a teenager in S Club Juniors.

  • Katie White - Katie White of The Ting Tings returns this spring with the release of the band’s second album, which has still yet to be titled.

  • Laura Marling - Recently named Best British Female at the BRITs, expect Laura Marling’s star to shine brighter this year.

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