Leona Lewis

Since releasing her debut LP a year ago, Leona Lewis has reached number one on both sides of the Atlantic, sold nearly five million albums and had everyone from P Diddy to Katy Perry singing her praises. With feisty, upbeat new single 'Forgive Me' about to become her fourth smash in a row, we hooked up with the Hackney belter for a catch up.

Your new single's a shift in direction from your previous releases. Why did you decide to make a change?
"I wanted to do something a bit different and the chance to work with Akon came about. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out and it's great that it's different, rather than what I always do."

How much say do you get over your style and musical direction?
"It's funny because out of everyone from X Factor I probably get the most say on what I do. I'm very, very involved in everything that goes on from the music to the videos. It's great that I work with Simon [Cowell] and Clive [Davis], because they're both very respectful of my opinion and have the same vision for me as I do myself."

Does it annoy you when people presume you're told how to act and behave?
"It doesn't annoy me because people are going to have their perceptions and ideas. They can think what they want, but it's good to let people know I'm not just told, 'You have to do this, you have to do that'. That's really not the case."

You've confirmed you'll be touring in 2010. What do you want the tour to be like?
"It's going to be a really big tour, but I haven't thought about it too much. I want there to be great production - nothing crazy, but a great band is the basis of any tour. Big arenas would be great, but any venue is fine by me as long as I can play my songs."

What's your schedule for the second album and the tour?
"We're thinking next November for the record, but it may be sooner. The tour will be the year after."

Jordin Sparks and Justin Timberlake are two of the artists who've said they want to work with you. Will there be many collaborations on the second album?
"I'm definitely interested. Working with other artists and sharing your passions is great. Two heads are better than one sometimes, so who knows?"

How do you feel when someone like Timberlake praises your music?
"I'm like, 'How do you even know who I am dude?' I met him and sang with him at a charity show recently. He wants to work with me on some songs, which is cool with me - he's Justin Timberlake! He's lovely, so talented and so down-to-earth too."

Simon Cowell's recently offered to save the Christmas Top Of The Pops. How do you feel about the show being axed?
"If it's going, it's sad. I did it the year I won X Factor and it would be a shame to lose it. I would definitely back Simon. Music TV in the UK is disappearing. Top Of The Pops, CD:UK and shows like that have gone and it's bringing down the music industry. We should do as much as we can to keep our music TV and producers need to be more willing to accommodate live music. When you want to play with a band on UK TV, it's always very tricky, which is a shame because we need to support live music."

Have you been watching this year's X Factor?
"I've been using my Sky+ to keep up with it. I think all the contestants are really strong this year. The girls are doing really well and I find myself feeling really proud of them, which is a weird feeling."

Do you think Cheryl's going to beat Simon?
"She has a very, very good chance. But at the end of the day it's not the judges who are winning, it's the contestants."

Leona Lewis's new single, 'Forgive Me', is out now.

Just got hold of a copy of her deluxe edition albumn, I haven't listened to it in ages, I fogot how amazing it was. Leona is one of my all time favourite artists, it's amazing she came from a reality show! I can see good things from her in the future! Can't wait for her 2010 tour, just hope i can get tickets!!!

the whole Leona Lewis, Mariah scary, christina aguewhatit doesn't appeal to me at all... I don't like this "why sing 1 note when you can sing 10"... just sing the song already!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Siobhan

the whole Leona Lewis, Mariah scary, christina aguewhatit doesn't appeal to me at all... I don't like this "why sing 1 note when you can sing 10"... just sing the song already!!

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THat is the funniest post i have read in ages! its so true, i do like some of Leonas songs though especially the slow ones.

I really must buy her album

Her music doesn't really appeal to me but I really do enjoy her version of 'Run'.

The latest single from singer Leona Lewis has become the fastest-selling digital-only track in the UK.

Snow Patrol cover Run, which was never originally intended to be released as a single, was downloaded almost 70,000 times in its first two days.

It beats Estelle's American Boy, which sold 51,857 downloads in a week to become the biggest digital-only single.

Lewis, who is likely to score her third number one, is nominated for record of the year at the Grammy Awards.

Her chart-topper Bleeding Love is shortlisted alongside fellow UK acts Coldplay, M.I.A., Adele and Robert Plant.

Lewis first performed Run on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, which was originally a number five hit in the UK for Snow Patrol.

It was a subsequent performance on The X Factor which prompted record bosses to go ahead with the digital single release.

The song also features on an enhanced version of her album Spirit, which became the first re-release to go straight in at number one, beating Dido's third collection.

Lewis's album has sold some four million copies around the world since it was first released a year ago.

Apple has said, meanwhile, that the singer's song Bleeding Love is its most popular downloaded track of 2008 on iTunes.

Coldplay's Viva La Vida is the most popular album on the music download site during the past year.

Im not surprised, I LOVE that song :thumbsup: I think its amazing

Leona Lewis has announced plans to launch her own perfume.

The singer has teamed up with German brand LR to create her self-titled 'ethical' scent.

"Leona has had a lot of approaches about launching her own perfume, but she wanted to make totally sure she would be working with an ethical company," a source told The Sun.

"She has had a big hand in helping to create the fragrance and the design of the bottle and now she can’t wait to see it in the shops."

In a promotional video for the new scent, the star revealed her enthusiasm for the new venture.

"I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to work on such an exciting project," she said.

"I am passionate about what I do and it is important for me to give the best I can to my fans all of the time. I love my new fragrance and I already love LR."

Lewis recently announced her plans to chart her rise to fame in an autobiography.

From DS

Have to wait for her perfume to see whether I like it but I think followers of the X Factor know all about her rise to fame already. Would still read it if it happened to be lying around though :D

Leona Lewis has been paid £1 million to perform at a 21st birthday party concert, it has emerged.

The singer sang seven songs for 200 partygoers at the celebration gig for Libby Caudwell, the daughter of Phones4U founder John, The Sun reports.

Lewis was joined on stage by Boyzone singer Stephen Gately and also dueted with the birthday girl on 'Bleeding Love'.

A source said: "Leona was not supposed to do any live shows until next year, but she made an exception. It's a hell of a lot of money and was a great party, so it was fun being involved."

A guest added: "It was a night Libby will certainly never forget. It was like a dream. She has not stopped talking about it ever since.

"Libby knew something was going to happen, but she just couldn't believe it when Leona walked on the stage."

A spokesperson confirmed that Lewis had performed at a "private event" but said that all details were confidential.

Nice work, if you can get it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bryan

Just got hold of a copy of her deluxe edition albumn, I haven't listened to it in ages, I fogot how amazing it was. Leona is one of my all time favourite artists, it's amazing she came from a reality show! I can see good things from her in the future! Can't wait for her 2010 tour, just hope i can get tickets!!!

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you will get tickets just be on ticketmaster at 9am or whatevertime they go on sale also make sure you sign up on her mailing list incase there is a presale and you will get good tickets

Leona Lewis has been forced to postpone recording sessions for her new album after being injured in a horse riding accident.

The 'Bleeding Love' singer was hit in the face and thrown to the ground earlier this month during a leisurely ride in Los Angeles.

"Something startled the horse and it flicked its head back and smacked Leona full in the face," a source told The Mirror.

"She was knocked flying by the force of it. Everyone rushed over to see if she was okay, she was holding her face in agony.

"Thankfully she didn't need any surgery, but she was told to stay at home and rest just in case she passed out with concussion. She doesn't blame the horse though - it was just one of those things.

"She had been due in the studio to record, but she felt shaken up so they had to cancel. It has pushed everything back, but she's such a grafter she'll easily make up for lost time."

Recent reports have suggested that Lewis will work with producers Timbaland and Xenomania on the follow-up to 2007's Spirit.

:eek: Having had a riding accident myself, I know how painful that will have been. Get well soon, Leona :)

X Factor winner Leona Lewis has apparently been slapped at a Waterstones book signing in London.

The singer was at the store signing copies of her new autobiography Dreams. Scotland Yard confirmed that officers were called to the store in Piccadilly this afternoon, reports the BBC.

"The female did not require hospital treatment - we are at the scene," stated a police spokesperson. Waterstones staff refused to comment on the incident, but said that the store remained open.

Lewis, who won the ITV1 show in 2006, releases her second album Echo on November 16. It is preceded by her new single 'Happy' on November 9.

Yesterday, the 'Bleeding Love' star announced a homecoming gig at the Hackney Empire, which will take place on November 2.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...k-signing.html

A representative for Leona Lewis has said that the star is "understandably shaken" after being assaulted at a book signing earlier today.

The 24-year-old was signing copies of her new autobiography Dreams at Waterstones in Piccadilly, London when a man "punched her" in the face. Scotland Yard has since confirmed that officers have arrested the attacker.

"Leona was the victim of an unprovoked attack this afternoon at her book signing," her spokesman Russell Eslamifar said. "The police were called immediately and medical attention has been sought.

"Leona is understandably shaken and apologises to the fans she was unable to meet and complete signings."

An eyewitness told BBC News that his sibling saw the episode take place, saying: "My brother saw the whole incident. [The attacker] walked up there with the book, she signed it and as she looked up, he just punched her. [My brother] actually heard the impact."

Another fan described the scene further, adding: "She was running out with her hand over her eye and I just saw a man on the floor. Suddenly the security all jumped on him and they were trying to pull him out and he was just laughing, he thought it was funny."

A spokesperson for Waterstones responded: "We take security at our book signings extremely seriously and this is the first time anything of this nature has happened.

"We would like to thank Leona for her professionalism and we are extremely sad that this event was ruined for her, and her fans, many of whom queued from the early hours of the morning to meet her."

The singer was to appear on The One Show on Wednesday night. However, her rep confirmed that she has now been replaced by BBC sports host Gabby Logan.

This is awful news :( she's such a nice girl aswell. stupid idiot I hope he gets whats coming to him :mad:

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3121/leona.jpg

:(

A GEEKY bumpkin queued for five hours to meet Leona Lewis yesterday - then punched her in the face.

Shocked Leona screamed and cried, "Oh my God" as the buck-toothed nut caught her on the temple with a fierce right hook.


The vicious attack came as the Bleeding Love singer, 24, signed copies of her new autobiography Dreams in a book shop.



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She clutched her head and burst into tears as she was whisked away from the scene by minders and taken to hospital.


Five security guards jumped on the 6ft 5in thug and pinned him to the ground.


Leona's furious boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa, who was with her at the signing, tried to confront the warped fan but was held back.




Before ... cheery Leona signs autobiography

XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM
The 2006 X Factor winner, now a global star, was checked for concussion at London's Harley Street Hospital.


Last night it appeared she had escaped with bruising.


But she pulled out of a planned appearance on BBC1's The One Show.


The 29-year-old thug had bought a copy of Dreams and seemed to be waiting patiently for Leona to sign it at Waterstone's in Piccadilly.

But as those around him in the queue chatted to each other, he stayed silent and aloof.

And he said nothing as he reached the front of the queue and unleashed his punch.




After ... shaken singer weeps behind dark
glasses as she is whisked away by aides
Witness Emily Rose, 21, who was behind him, said: "It was horrendous. He waited for Leona to bow her head then just lashed out - a proper full-on punch on the side of her face. She let out a piercing scream and grabbed her temple. Security piled on this guy and Leona just started running."

Fan Steve Caris, 33, added: "This bloke looked like a nutcase. He was like a bumpkin, well over 6ft tall and with buck teeth. He really walloped Leona. She must have been in agony."

Cops were called and the long-haired thug was quizzed for half an hour before he was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and taken into custody.

A spokesman for Leona - whose next single is called HAPPY - said last night: "It was a totally unprovoked attack. Leona had been patiently signing people's books for a while - this man had been waiting for five hours.
"Why anyone would hit her I don't know. It's unacceptable. Leona is shaken and apologises to the fans she was unable to meet."

The singer has told police she wants to press charges against the lout - a foreigner whose first name is Peter.

X Factor mogul Simon Cowell last night called ex-Pizza Hut waitress Leona to offer comfort.

A pal said: "Simon hit the roof when he heard. Like all of us he couldn't believe anyone would attack Leona. His immediate reaction was to offer her all the support and kind words he could."


Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden wrote on Twitter: "Can't believe Leona got punched today. She is the sweetest girl."

DO you know Leona's attacker? Call The Sun on 020 7782 4102, text 63000 or email [email protected]



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0Tyk8Q7NA

it was me :eek:

I thought somebody on here might own up :lol:

:eek:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...k-signing.html

Leona Lewis has thanked fans for their supportive messages after she was assaulted at a book signing in London yesterday.

The singer, who was promoting her autobiography Dreams at a Waterstones store in Piccadilly, was left "shaken" when a man punched her in the face.

"Leona is obviously shocked after yesterday but is OK, she would like us to convey her thanks to you all for your kind messages and your support," a representative said in a statement.

Fans had been queueing outside the venue for over five hours to meet the 24-year-old, but were turned away following the incident.

According to The Sun, a man known only as "Peter" has been arrested and Lewis has told police that she intends to press charges.

The star was taken to London's Harley Street Hospital and checked for concussion but later released without bruising.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...r-assault.html

The thing is though how will this have affected her in the long term? it'll have knocked her confidence (she was already shy) and she'll be very wary of doing events like this in the public now incase the same thing happens again.

Singer Leona Lewis cancelled a visit to Germany today as she recovered from being punched in the head at a book signing for fans.

The 24-year-old had been due to fly out for a day-long promotional trip, but pulled out in the aftermath of the incident.

Former X Factor winner Leona had been signing copies of her autobiography at Waterstone's Piccadilly in London yesterday afternoon, when a man in the queue suddenly lashed out. She was left "shaken".

Police arrested a 29-year-old man at the scene.

Her spokesman said today: "Leona was due to go to Germany today for promo but that has now been cancelled."

He added: "Leona is obviously shocked after yesterday but is OK."

Rehearsals for her first major UK show are due to begin next week and it is understood Leona is planning to press ahead with them. She is due to play the Hackney Empire next month.

Leona was taken to see a doctor as a precaution after being struck, but needed no further treatment.

Witnesses said she had been happily signing for around 90 minutes when a man whose book she autographed suddenly punched her in the side of the head.

Leona said today that the experience was a "horrible shock".

In a statement she said: "Thank you so much for your support, it is truly overwhelming.

"Yesterday was a horrible shock and left me extremely hurt and upset. I'm very sorry to those I wasn't able to meet at the signing.

"Thank you again for all of the lovely messages. Love you all."

Waterstones said it took security at book signings "extremely seriously" and this was the first incident of its kind.

The firm added: "We would like to thank Leona for her professionalism and we are extremely sad that this event was ruined for her, and her fans, many of whom queued from the early hours of the morning to meet her."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/...5875-21749217/

:(

it might make her look better :lol: good grief has the girl never been punched before:lol:

Probably not. I have never been punched either. It is not a laughing matter either, imo. :nono:

Aww what did the poor girl ever do.. Flippin' idiot! :angry: :angry:

Bless her, and a fella as well, thats just wrong, men should never hit women, thats what i have always been told by my family. Shes never done anything to him!

Its really confidence breaking when you get floored by someone, and its painful too especially in the side of the head.

THE bookstore attacker who smashed Leona Lewis in the face is a jealous X Factor REJECT, The Sun can reveal.
Brooding Peter Kowalczyk, 29, was yesterday said to have envied her for winning the ITV1 talent show - after he was turned down for it.

Dad Tomasz said as his son was last night sectioned under the Mental Health Act following Leona's terror at a book-signing: "He wants to be a singer.

"He went along and queued at X Factor. How far he got with it? Nowhere."

Kowalczyk spent five hours in line as Leona, 24, signed her autobiography in London - then allegedly gave the Bleeding Love singer a huge right hook.

She was led away in tears on Wednesday as minders pinned her attacker to the floor at Waterstone's in Piccadilly.

Cops arrested Kowalczyk. He was last night charged with assault and taken to a psychiatric hospital after he was immediately sectioned. Shattered Leona - sporting a massive bruise - was being comforted at her East London home by boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa and dad Joe, who flew back from Los Angeles.

A cop stood guard as plain-clothes colleagues took a statement from the ex-Pizza Hut waitress, who described the attack as a "horrible shock".

Neighbours at the grim block of flats where Kowalczyk lives in Southwark, South East London, described him as a tall, skinny loner.

One said: "His only visitors were his parents." The wannabe pop star's mum Victoria lives with his dad Tomasz in a smart Brixton terrace. They confirmed their only child had a history of health problems, describing him as "very sick"

He suffers from anaemia, which his parents said can affect his state of mind.

The NHS has been treating his psychological problems with weekly music therapy.

Asked if his son had mentioned Leona in the past, his father said: "That name came up along with many others. I can also think of Alesha Dixon."

But he denied his son - who tried to get on X Factor when auditions were held in London - was obsessed with Leona or Strictly Come Dancing's Alesha.

X Factor supremo Simon Cowell was among those who rang Leona after the attack.

A family source revealed after the singer scrapped a promotional trip to Germany: "She is petrified it could happen again. They could have a knife or acid next time. She never really had personal security because she never dreamed anything like this would happen.

"Now she wants a 24-hour security team with plain-clothed guards hidden in the crowd when she goes shopping or out with friends."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0U4UgVjKA

When it happened I turned around to the wife and said "she's bleeding, love"

Leona Lewis found herself in the middle of a LA gun drama this week when a gang of hooligans ran towards her car as they fled the police during a high-speed chase. The star's security attempted to intervene and help police but Leona's manager Nicole Carson was thrown to the floor during the kafuffle.

"It was absolutely terrifying and Leona is still very shaken by what happened. It could have been so much worse," said a source. Leona had stopped at a Starbucks with her manager to pick up a coffee as she made her way to LAX airport. "Leona was in her parked car when the chase came to crash around her. Two police cars had blocked off this other car. Men jumped out and suddenly these thugs waving guns ran towards Leona," the witness added. The incident comes just a few months after the X Factor winner was assaulted by a fan during a book signing in London.

Leona Lewis is planning to imitate Lady Gaga by giving her pop career a radical overhaul, it has been revealed.

The former ‘X Factor' winner looks set to shed her good girl image and unveil "big changes" ahead of upcoming live dates and new material.

"Leona's ready to evolve her look and music," explained an insider of her imminent relaunch.

"She wants her next album to be totally unexpected and different, like Rihanna's and Gaga's. They're around her age and make the kind of exciting impact she wants to make.

"Leona's latest album hasn't done as well as she hoped and she feels she has to step it all up," said the insider.

Earlier this year, the singer got a tattoo along her spine and was seen wearing a risqué outfit at Perez Hilton's birthday party in LA last month

Gabriella Cilmi will support Leona Lewis on her upcoming tour, it has been confirmed.

Cilmi, who recently released her new album Ten, will support Lewis on her first UK and Ireland tour, which includes 4 dates at London's O2 Arena.

Lewis recently told DS that the show will offer a "weird and wonderful experience" for pop fans, and would be inspired by the 1986 film Labyrinth.

The tour kicks off on May 28 at Sheffield Arena.

DS

Leona Lewis has become the 14th female singer to have a million-selling single in the UK.

The star's global hit 'Bleeding Love' crossed the sales threshold last week - just over three years after it topped the UK single's chart.

Music Week reports that the song sold 1,117 following Matt Cardle's performance on The X Factor last week, which sees its total UK sales now stand at 1,000,534 - giving Lewis the 103rd single to notch up a million sales based on data from the OCC.

The track's parent album Spirit has clocked up over 3million sales in the UK.

Lewis releases The Labyrinth Tour - Live at the O2 DVD on November 29.

Leona’s shock makeover
Posted Thu 10 Feb 2011 12:49 GMT by Ben Gilbert in Behind The Music
What's happened to Leona Lewis? That's the buzz in Hollywood this week after the former ‘X Factor' champ was snapped on the red carpet at two separate, high-profile showbiz engagements looking like a very different girl to the one who claimed the reality TV singing crown in 2006.

Of course, in 2011 pop is all about the whole package. There's no point having a great look but no songs. The sophistication of the music industry and the audience which feeds it is such nowadays that we demand absolutely everything is in place before falling head over heels for an act, new or otherwise.

Why? There can be no doubt that Lady Gaga has set a high bar in style, image and presentation. But who would have taken any notice if she tried to seduce the radio waves with a bunch of Rachel Stevens' outtakes? No stone goes unturned. Just look at the long, drawn-out promo campaign behind her latest album, ‘Born This Way'.

Enter Leona, who is reported to be nearing completion on her third album, which is due for release in a matter of months. But before any music can be heard, the singer has to deliver a visual splash. Which explains her appearances at the premiere of Justin Bieber's film debut and a pre-Grammys party in Los Angeles.

Gone are the long wavy locks that had become her trademark. She also appears to have spent most of the time since last year's Labyrinth tour on the treadmill rather than in the studio. This svelte diva look has been topped off with a series of quirky, provocative outfits, featuring hot red lips and a bow across her chest.



While the radical makeover has certainly made some waves, as she bids to steal a piece of the pie cooked up by Gaga and ensure a big comeback, it is not without criticism. Leona has been accused of dumbing down her image, losing the original charm that sealed her emergence to become little more than a Kardashian clone.

There have even been suggestions that the new look hasn't been achieved entirely naturally. Dr Barbara Lutz, of the Transform Cosmetic Surgery Group, commented: "It appears Leona has had the bridge and tip of her nose thinned."

However, her spokesman has moved to categorically deny claims the star has had a nose job. "Suggestions she has had cosmetic surgery are total rubbish." Of course, his comments are unlikely to put an end to such speculation, given the dramatic overhaul that has taken place everywhere else.

Leona is hardly the first female act to look beyond her roots in a bid to remain fresh and build excitement. Madonna has made a career out of evolution, while Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and Rihanna are just some of the other singers who always ensure their pop comebacks lack nothing when it comes to a new style.

But after splitting with teenage sweetheart Lou Al-Chamaa, she faces more accusations of being blinded by Hollywood's bright lights. "I think it's so funny how so many people think I've moved to LA!" she Tweeted defensively yesterday. "I'm hardly here! Still live in London round the corner from my mum & dad ha!"

http://musicsparadise.com/wp-content...leonalewis.jpg

She looks a bit like Alexandra Burke with the long hair now and a bit over done on the foundation

I thought it was Alexandra Burke when I first saw the picture of her, not sure if I like the new image.

Wow, not sure what to think!