The X Factor" U.K. 2006 winner Leona Lewis has commented in recent interviews about her relationships with One Direction and Simon Cowell.

Lewis used to be the biggest global act to emerge from "The X Factor" until One Direction came along. One Direction came in third place on "The X Factor" U.K. in 2010, and the group has since had No. 1 hits in several countries. One Direction also sells out arnea tours in several countries within minutes, which is an accomplishment that Lewis has not yet been able to match.

Lewis and One Direction were both mentored on "The X Factor" U.K. by Cowell when he was a judge on the show. One Direction and Lewis are both signed to Cowell's Syco Music.

According to the Daily Record, Lewis recently described One Direction as "mad boys” ("mad" is British slang for crazy), and she added: “They’re having a lot of fun. I give them a little bit of advice sometimes. I tell them to enjoy it.”