Leona Lewis gets mixed reviews for her leading role - with some saying she does not have the "acting chops" for the part.
Leona Lewis got a less than purr-fect reception from critics
British singer Leona Lewis has failed to impress critics in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway revival of Cats.
The former X Factor winner, 31, was given the leading
role of Grizabella after Nicole Scherzinger pulled out days before
rehearsals were due to start.
The record-breaking musical's Broadway return opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on Sunday night.
Jesse Green, from Vulture, wrote: "Leona Lewis brings to the underwritten role only a few unsubtle top notes, which she offers ritually, as if they were dead mice.
"No greater ambition seems to have animated the revival as a whole."
Scherzinger dropped out despite enjoying success in the part in London's West End.
She decided instead to return to The X Factor judging panel, leaving Lloyd Webber furious.
The Wrap's Jason Clark wrote: "Although Brit songstress Leona Lewis is blessed with a divine pop belt perfect for the classic 11 o'clock number Memory, sadly she does not have the acting chops to put across Grizabella's tragic arc.
"Her Griz really needs a lot more... well, grizzle."
Dominic Cavendish wrote in The Daily Telegraph: "Elaine Paige's originating performance has yet to be eclipsed.
"Lewis, appearing coached in her moves, looks (far more than Scherzinger did) like she's going through the motions."
The Guardian's Emma Brockes wrote: "Lewis has a beautiful voice, but when she performed Memory, she was not Grizabella the mangy old cat, but Leona Lewis, pop star and seller of 20 million records...
"A song sung on these terms can still be highly enjoyable, although in this case I found the performance of Memory rather stressful, particularly the crescendo at the end and the bits when Lewis listed dangerously to one side while doing some Acting.
"It was a relief when the story moved on."
But The Huffington Post's David Finkle was more positive, writing: "She's strong vocally and at the acting. In her eyes and bent walk is everything Grizabella knows about the ravages of life."
And NBC New York's Robert Kahn wrote: "Lewis tackles matters like a champ. The best way to approach a song like Memory, which has been covered by everyone from Streisand to Manilow, is with determined understatement.
"That's precisely what Lewis delivers."
Lewis won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
She went on to achieve success with singles including Bleeding Love, Run and Better In Time.
The record-breaking musical's Broadway return opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on Sunday night.
Jesse Green, from Vulture, wrote: "Leona Lewis brings to the underwritten role only a few unsubtle top notes, which she offers ritually, as if they were dead mice.
"No greater ambition seems to have animated the revival as a whole."
Scherzinger played the iconic Grizabella in London
She decided instead to return to The X Factor judging panel, leaving Lloyd Webber furious.
The Wrap's Jason Clark wrote: "Although Brit songstress Leona Lewis is blessed with a divine pop belt perfect for the classic 11 o'clock number Memory, sadly she does not have the acting chops to put across Grizabella's tragic arc.
"Her Griz really needs a lot more... well, grizzle."
Dominic Cavendish wrote in The Daily Telegraph: "Elaine Paige's originating performance has yet to be eclipsed.
Lloyd Webber was reportedly furious when Scherzinger pulled out
The Guardian's Emma Brockes wrote: "Lewis has a beautiful voice, but when she performed Memory, she was not Grizabella the mangy old cat, but Leona Lewis, pop star and seller of 20 million records...
"A song sung on these terms can still be highly enjoyable, although in this case I found the performance of Memory rather stressful, particularly the crescendo at the end and the bits when Lewis listed dangerously to one side while doing some Acting.
"It was a relief when the story moved on."
But The Huffington Post's David Finkle was more positive, writing: "She's strong vocally and at the acting. In her eyes and bent walk is everything Grizabella knows about the ravages of life."
And NBC New York's Robert Kahn wrote: "Lewis tackles matters like a champ. The best way to approach a song like Memory, which has been covered by everyone from Streisand to Manilow, is with determined understatement.
"That's precisely what Lewis delivers."
Lewis won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
She went on to achieve success with singles including Bleeding Love, Run and Better In Time.
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