Leona Philippo


Leona Philippo is a Canadian-born Dutch singer-songwriter of Jamaican origin. On 14 December 2012, she won the title for season 3 of the Dutch reality television music competition The Voice of Holland. She is also often credited simply as Leona.

Career

Born in Toronto, she started music very early learning the piano. When she was 6, she moved with her adoptive family to the Netherlands. In 1998, she recorded materials in Hollywood, Los Angeles made available as a demo. Later she moved back to Holland, to Rotterdam She also took part with R&B band performing at various locations including at the Rotterdam Ahoy. She left the band after three years.
Leaving the Conservatory after three years of studies, she joined band Nits as vocalist and toured with them in their Wool Tour in 2000 performing throughout Europe and in Japan.
In 2001, Philippo starred in Aida, a musical directed by Joop van den Ende. She also took part in a string of musical stage acts, notably : A Tribute to the Girl Groups, and in A Tribute to The Blues Brothers.
In 2004–2005, she appeared in Dutch television series Het glazen huis in a leading role of Bibi Kruyswijk. She was also in backing vocals for a number of touring artists including Trijntje Oosterhuis, Total Touch, Kane and Candy Dulfer. In 2008, she also made guest appearances during ' concert of Lionel Richie.
In 2009, her single "Shake Ya Tailfeather" was promoted as Radio 501 favourite upcoming hit.
In 2011, she returned to musical stage theatre with A Tribute to Michael Jackson and in The Songs from the movie Sister Act. In 2012, she acted in the Dutch drama ', Stars For Planet Earth and acted in the 2012 film release as Laetitia Jurna after having appeared in a string of films and TV series in a variety of roles.

In ''The Voice of Holland''

In 2012, she auditioned for season 3 of the Dutch reality television music competition The Voice of Holland with the song "Mesmerized" on the first day of the blind auditions with all four judges, Marco Borsato, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Nick & Simon and Roel van Velzen pressing their "I Want You" buttons and turning their chairs. She chose to be part of Team Trijntje.
Progressing successfully through all rounds, in the final she sang "Could You Be Loved" winning with 54.6% of the public vote against runner up from Team Nick & Simon with 45.4% of the votes.
;Performances
After winning, she signed a contract with 8ball Music that released her winning song, a Bob Marley cover. Leona's release reached number 2 of the Dutch Top 40 charts and reached number 1 in Dutch Single Top 100 charts.

Discography

Albums

;Studio albums
;Live albums
;Other download releases from The Voice of Holland interpretations
;Television
;Others