Leona Lewis

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Leona Lewis

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Img_capt = Lewis at the London premiere for "Flushed Away", November 2006
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Leona Louise Lewis
Born = birth date and age|df=yes|1985|4|3
Hackney, London, England
Genre = Pop, R&B
Occupation = Singer, songwriter
Voice_type = Mezzo-soprano
Years_active = 2006 - present
Label = Sony BMG, Syco, J Records
URL = [http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk www.leonalewismusic.co.uk]

Leona Louise Lewis (b. 3 April 1985) is an English pop and R&B singer-songwriter, and the winner of the third series of the United Kingdom television talent show "The X Factor". Her UK debut single, "A Moment Like This", broke a world record after it was downloaded over 50,000 times within 30 minutes.Swash, Rosie. [http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2213533,00.html Leona Lewis sets new record for fastest-selling debut in UK] "The Guardian". 19 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Her second single, "Bleeding Love", was the biggest-selling single of 2007 in the UK, topped over thirty international singles charts, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada and Germany, propelling Lewis to worldwide stardom.Cohen, Jonathan. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003780668 Leona Lewis Scores First U.S. No. 1 Hit] Billboard. 27 March 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Her debut album, "Spirit", was released in Europe in 2007 and became the fastest-selling debut album ever in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. [http://www.chart-track.com/?i=498&s=1111 High Spirits] Chart Track. 16 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7100914.stm Singer Lewis grabs record debut] BBC. 19 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008] Released in North America in 2008, "Spirit" debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and made Lewis the first British solo artist to top the chart with a debut album.Hasty, Katie. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003789988 Leona Lewis Makes Big Splash Atop Billboard 200] Billboard. 16 April 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

With her album reaching number one in at least three continents and nine countries, Lewis has had the most successful music career launch of any television talent show contestant ever. [Cite news |last=Zahran |first=Lisa |title=Triple L, Triple X, Triple Threat |url=http://www.faces.com.my/spotlight/spotlight.asp?id=2934 |publisher="Faces" |date=(1 July 2008) |accessdate=2008-09-18]

Early life

Leona Lewis was born in Stoke Newington, in the London Borough of Hackney, to parents Aural Josiah Lewis, an Afro-Caribbean Guyanese youth worker, and Maria Lewis (also née Lewis), a Welsh social worker. [Carroll, Sue. [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=leona-s-family-factor-&method=full&objectid=18289588&siteid=94762-name_page.html Leona's Family Factor] "Daily Mirror". 20 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] At the age of five, she attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, and later the Italia Conti Academy and the BRIT School. There she learned guitar and piano and also worked hard to write her own songs in order to be taken seriously as an accomplished musician. [Braddock, Kevin. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/fame-academy-the-brit-school-433652.html Fame Academy: The Brit School] "The Independent". 28 January 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] [http://www.express.co.uk/printer/view/1499/]

Lewis wrote her first song at the age of twelve, and won a number of talent competitions. [McIntyre, Sinead [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-423263/New-X-Factor-star-set-fastest-Christmas-number-one.html New X Factor star set for fastest Christmas number one] "Daily Mail". 18 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] After leaving school, Lewis took a number of jobs to pay to get into a recording studio, including waitressing and several receptionist jobs. [http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/content/hackney/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=HKYGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshkyg&itemid=WeED22%20Dec%202006%2010%3A42%3A29%3A740 Winner Leona proud to be Hackney girl] "Hackney Gazette". 22 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

She wrote, recorded and produced a number of songs including a demo album called "Twilight". [Griffin, Zoe. [http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/gossip/article/1157142331862?packedargs=aid%3D1157142331862%26suffix%3DArticleController Leona's track record puts X-Factor bosses in a spin] "thelondonpaper". 21 November 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] When she was fifteen years old, she recorded a version of Minnie Riperton's "Lovin' You" with music producer Marley J. Wills, who commented that "Leona could hit the notes and I think she did it better than the original." [ [http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/search/display.var.1070167.0.happy_times_recording_track_with_x_factor_finalist_leona.php Happy times recording track with X Factor finalist Leona] "This Is Local London". 13 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Unable to secure a contract, Lewis considered placing her music career on hold to attend university, before her boyfriend persuaded her to enter "The X Factor".Das, Lina. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-488705/X-Factor-superstar-Leona-Lewis-fame-fear-failure-pressures-Simon-Cowells-biggest-hope.html Leona Lewis on fame, fear of failure] "Daily Mail", 23 October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Music career

2006: "The X Factor"

In 2006, Lewis auditioned for the third series of "The X Factor", singing "Over the Rainbow". She made it through to the final stages and was announced the winner on 16 December 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract. She was mentored by Simon Cowell.

Lewis' voice was consistently praised by all three judges — Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. Occasionally, she was compared with divas such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. [Malkin, Marc. [http://uk.eonline.com/gossip/planetgossip/detail/index.jsp?uuid=c3a78a07-5406-4c32-8a8c-425af5cefdf1 Mariah + Whitney = Leona Lewis] "E!". 7 February 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Lewis was also criticised, by both the judges and in the press, in relation to her confidence. Vocal coach Mark Hudson also criticised a lack of star quality. [Kilkelly, Daniel. [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a40282/x-factor-vocal-coach-criticises-leona.html 'X Factor' vocal coach criticises Leona] Digital Spy. 3 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] On the final night of the show, Take That joined Lewis on stage for a duet of their song "A Million Love Songs". After the performance, singer Gary Barlow told Cowell, "you've got a big responsibility because this girl is probably fifty times better than any contestant you have ever had on this show, and it's your responsibility to make her the best record you can, so please do that." ["The X Factor" (UK), Season 3, ITV1. 16 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

On the "Oprah Winfrey Show" on 17 March 2008, Simon Cowell said that it was during Lewis' performance of "Summertime" in the third live round of "The X Factor" (broadcast 28 October 2006) that he "could see her transform from a great singer into a superstar".

After "The X Factor"

Over one-million copies of the winner's single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's first single "A Moment Like This", were pre-ordered by stores, although at the time, the winner of the show had not been announced and it was unknown who would be releasing the single. [ [http://entertainment.aol.co.uk/tv/xfactor/leona-wins-x-factor/article/20061216171009990001 Leona wins X Factor] AOL. 17 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] "A Moment Like This" was released on CD on 20 December 2006, and was available as a digital download from midnight on 17 December. It broke a world record after it was downloaded fifty-thousand times in thirty minutes. On 24 December, "A Moment Like This" was crowned the 2006 UK Christmas number-one single, having sold 571,253 copies, beating Take That's single "Patience", and outselling the rest of the Top 40's sales combined. [Dingwall, John. "Bigger than Britney" "Scottish Daily Record". 30 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] It was reported that one chain was "shifting more than 100 of her CDs a minute". ["Leona's single is 'selling fast'", BBC. 20 December 2006. Accessed 24 July 2008.] The single became the biggest-downloaded song in 2006, beating Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy". The single stayed at number one for four weeks, and also stayed at the top spot in the Irish Singles Chart for six weeks. It went on to sell in the region of 1,000,000 copies. [ [http://acharts.us/song/11746 Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This] aCharts. 21 August 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] [ [http://www.inthenews.co.uk/entertainment/tv/leona-top-charts-$1155692.htm Leona to top charts] inthenuews.co.uk. 24 October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

A four-track download EP, "It's All for You", that she recorded before entering "The X Factor" was released digitally on 18 December 2006, through The Schizofreniks record label. [ [http://www.uk.music.yahoo.com/release/37956855 It's All for You] Yahoo! Music. Accessed 24 July 2008.] The single did not chart.

In February 2007, Lewis signed a £5 million ($9.7 million) five album contract in the United States with Clive Davis's record label, J Records, and showcased for several American music executives at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6346331.stm X Factor winner in US record deal] BBC. 9 February 2007] [ [http://www.hellomagazine.com/music/2007/02/09/leona-lewis-deal/ Leona Lewis creating waves Stateside] "Hello!" 9 February 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

On 16 January 2007, "A Moment Like This" was shortlisted for the British Single award at the 2007 BRIT Awards. It made it to the second round but was eliminated and did not make it to the final selection. In May, it was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Best Selling British Single. [http://www.theivors.org/2007winners.htm The Ivor Novello Awards, 2007] theivors.org. 24 May 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

2007: "Spirit"

On 25 April 2007, a press release was sent out revealing that Simon Cowell and Clive Davis would work together in a first-of-its-kind partnership on both the song and producer selection for Lewis' debut album, entitled "Spirit". [ [http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20070424/NYTU13624042007-1.html Clive Davis and Simon Cowell Partner on global debut release] J Records. 24 April 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] On 24 September 2007, Lewis performed a special album launch party at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, where she performed four tracks from the album.Iley, Chrissy. [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2630762.ece The transformation of Leona Lewis] "The Times". 14 October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] The album was released in Ireland on 9 November 2007, where it entered the Irish Albums Chart at number one, being Ireland's fastest-selling debut album of all time. It was released on 12 November 2007 in the United Kingdom, where it entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, and was also the UK's fastest selling debut album, and the fourth fastest selling album of all time.

The album was released in several other nations in January 2008, and went to number one in New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Germany, South Africa and Switzerland. [ [http://acharts.us/album/29761 Leona Lewis - Spirit] aCharts. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

"Spirit" was released in the United States on 8 April 2008, and entered the Billboard 200 at number one.

Lewis recorded tracks for the album in London, Miami, Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta. [ [http://www.rcalabelgroup.co.uk/news/6468/0/ Leona is back!] RCA Records. 17 August 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] She worked with several songwriters and record producers including Dr. Luke, Dallas Austin, Max Martin, Stargate, Walter Afanasieff, Salaam Remi, Kara DioGuardi, Per Magnusson, David Kreuger, Richard Page and Novel. [Ford, Louise. [http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2007/08/19/no-more-leonly-nights-98487-19658116/ No more Leonly nights] "Sunday Mirror". 19 August 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] She also recorded "I'm You", which was written and produced by Ne-Yo. Two further tracks were recorded in early 2008 for the U.S. release of the album, "Forgive Me" which was produced by Akon and "Misses Glass" which was produced by Madd Scientist. [ [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-28-2008/0004744196&EDATE= U.K. Singer and Songwriter Leona Lewis to Release Debut Album] J. Records. 28 January 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Lewis' second single, "Bleeding Love", produced by One Republic's Ryan Tedder, and written by Tedder and Jesse McCartney, was released on 22 October 2007 in the UK. Lewis performed the song on the first live show of the fourth series of "The X Factor" on 20 October. ["The X Factor" (UK), Season 4, ITV1. 20 October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008] The single sold 66,000 copies on its first day of release and went on to sell 218,805 copies in its first week, giving it the biggest first-week sales of 2007 to date. [ [http://www.sony.co.uk/article/id/1205831217172 Leona Lewis - a bright new star] "The Magazine", Sony. Accessed 24 July 2008.] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7066448.stm Leona Lewis storms singles chart] BBC. 28 October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] It entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, where it stayed for seven weeks. [ [http://www.charttrack.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2007&year=2007&week=43 Top 50 singles] Chart Track. 25 October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] It also debuted at number one in the Irish Singles Chart, remaining there for eight weeks. [http://acharts.us/song/28956 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love] aCharts. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Elsewhere, it reached number one in the singles charts of New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. On 16 December 2007, "Bleeding Love" won The Record of the Year 2007 award. [http://www.roty.tv/ Record of the Year, 2007] roty.co.uk. 22 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

On 31 October 2007, Lewis appeared on BBC Radio 1's "Live Lounge", with acoustic performances of "Bleeding Love" and a cover of Snow Patrol's 2003 single "Run". [Whiley, Jo. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/jowhiley/livelounge_leonalewis.shtml Leona Lewis in the Live Lounge] BBC. October 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Her version of "Run" was popular with listeners, and as a result, was added to Radio 1's A list (a list of songs receiving the most airplay). [Radio 1 Playlist, BBC. November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] On 6 November she won 'Newcomer of the Year' at the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Woman of the Year Awards.Cotton, Fearne. [http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/your-life/ultimate-women-of-the-year-awards-2007-video/video Cosmo's Ultimate Women of the Year Awards, 2007] "Cosmopolitan". 6 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

It was reported on 31 October 2007 that management company UEG Music planned to release an album of ten songs recorded by Lewis before her time on "The X Factor", shortly after the release of "Spirit", called "Best Kept Secret". This is because the management company claimed they wanted to recoup some of the costs incurred in their investment and training of Lewis, including £70,000 of studio costs that they claimed remained unpaid. They also claimed to have offered Sony and Lewis' father to buy the rights of the album but both refused. Cowell was reportedly angered by the release of the album, saying that the company did not have the rights to release the songs, and that he would attempt to block the album from being released. He also claimed that the songs are unfinished demos, that fans should boycott the album and that there is no agreement with Lewis to release it. A representative for Lewis said: "UEG approached Leona and her representatives earlier this year - but they do not have the rights to release these demos." [Smart, Gordon. [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article407028.ece Fury at second Leona CD] "The Sun". 31 october, 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] [ [http://itn.co.uk/news/27eae5e01d743ab25ad3d2547efcb3b9.html Leona's 'secret' album] ITN. 2 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Despite Cowell's attempts, the album was briefly released two weeks after her debut album "Spirit", on 26 November 2007, through online music store Juno Records, though all trace of the album was removed from Juno the same day. The Best Kept Secret was re-released in CD format by the Hand Cuts Japan label on 23 July 2008. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=815431&aid=1156651 Discography - Leona Lewis] Billboard. 2008. Accessed 7 August 2008.]

In the 30 November 2007 edition of American magazine "Entertainment Weekly", Lewis was included among "8 to Watch in '08" in their 2007 "Entertainer of the Year" issue. The list of entertainers expected to become household names in the coming year describes Lewis as "The New Mariah Carey". [Fonseca, Nicholas. [http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20162462_6,00.html Eight New Faces To Watch in '08] EW. 30 November 2007. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

2008–present: International breakthrough

On 14 January 2008, Lewis was nominated for four BRIT Awards, in the categories British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Album for "Spirit", and British Single for "Bleeding Love". [http://www.brits.co.uk/news/602/ Leona, Mika & Take That Lead UK Nominations For 2008] Brit Awards. 14 January 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] She performed at the awards ceremony on 20 February 2008. [ [http://www.brits.co.uk/shows/performers/ Brit Awards, Performers] Brit Awards. 20 February 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Despite being the favourite to win the most awards, she received none. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7250000/newsid_7253400/7253432.stm Countdown to 'glam' Brit Awards] BBC Newsround. 20 February 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

On 9 February 2008, Lewis performed at Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy party, as Davis's 'Special New Artist' guest. [Weinstein, Sarah. [http://www.webcitation.org/5Zl0BXR39 Leona Lewis to be Unveiled as the new Special Artist at Clive Davis' Legendary Pre-Grammy] RCA Music Group. 8 February 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Lewis performed "Bleeding Love", on "The Oprah Winfrey Show", on 17 March 2008. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23402406-5006024,00.html Oprah Winfrey predicts Leona Lewis's huge stardom] "Heralld Sun". 19 March 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

In February 2008, Lewis broke the major American charts as "Bleeding Love" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 85. [Bronson, Fred. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003713788 Chart Beat - X Marks the American Spot] Billboard. 21 February 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] It peaked at number one for four non-consecutive weeks beginning on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 5 April 2008. "Bleeding Love" became the first track by a UK female to hit number one since Kim Wilde in 1987. [Sherwin, Adam. [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3627676.ece Leona Lewis turns back the clock to top US charts] "The Times". 27 March 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] Lewis is also the third British female to go to number one with a debut single, the other two acts being Petula Clark with "Downtown" in 1965 and Sheena Easton with "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" in 1981, and only the sixth British female to ever top the US singles chart, following Clark, Easton, Wilde, Lulu and Bonnie Tyler. "Bleeding Love" is only the second single to ever fall out and return to the number one position on the Hot 100 twice, returning to number one on the charts dated 26 April 2008 and again on 10 May 2008. The first was "Le Freak" by Chic in 1978 and 1979. [Bronson, Fred. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003797543 Chart Beat - Leona's Triple Play] Billboard. 1 May 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Lewis' third single, a double A-side featuring "Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand", was released in the United Kingdom in March 2008, in aid of Sport Relief, and she visited South Africa for the charity. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7286000/7286965.stm Leona Lewis does Sport Relief in South Africa] BBC. 10 March 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] The songs reached a peak of number 2 in the UK singles chart selling over 40,000 copies in its first week of physical release. She was kept off the number one position by Duffy who sold only 302 more copies of her single "Mercy" than Lewis. [Jones, Alan. [http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1033556 Did Duffy win fair and square?] Music Week. 17 March 2008. Accessed 31 July 2008.] Better In Time was released as Lewis' second single in the U.S. on 15 July 2008. It has so far reached a peak of number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=815431&model.vnuAlbumId=1156651 Artist Chart History - Leona Lewis] Billboard. 2008. Accessed 7 August 2008.] As a part of Sport Relief, Lewis has set up a website, YOUGIVEMESTRENGTH.COM, for people to share their inspirational stories. [Schneider, Ralf. [http://www.berlinista.com/en/article/leona-lewis-you-give-me-strength/4533 Leona Lewis - You Give Me Strength] Berlinista. 6 March 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

On 27 March 2008, "Bleeding Love" became number one in the United World Chart.

On 23 April 2008, Lewis performed "Bleeding Love" on the seventh series of "American Idol" during one of the results nights of the show. She was also a presenter at the MTV Australia Awards 2008 on 26 April 2008, and a special guest performing "Bleeding Love" again at the finale of "So You Think You Can Dance Australia" on 27 April 2008.

On 27 June 2008, Lewis performed "Bleeding Love" and "Better In Time" at the 46664 Concert in Hyde Park, London to celebrate the 90th Birthday of Nelson Mandela. She also performed at the MTV Asia Awards 2008 in Genting Highlands, Malaysia where she won the award for Breakthrough Artist. [http://www.mtvasiaawards.com/Singapore/Nominees/show/artist/46] "MTV Asia Awards". 3 August 2008. Accessed 3 August 2008.]

On 24 August 2008, Lewis performed "Whole Lotta Love" with guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin at the 2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in Beijing, representing the handover to London as the host of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Her performance was watched by a worldwide TV audience of around three billion people. [Knight, Tom. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2303411/London-rap-troupe-fly-flag-at-Beijing-Olympics.html London rap troupe fly flag at Beijing Olympics] "The Telegraph". 16 June 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

On 5 September 2008, Lewis joined Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Ciara, Beyonce, and many other female singers to perform a single for the anti-cancer campaign "Stand Up to Cancer". The single, titled "Just Stand Up", was performed live during the one-hour telethon that which aired on all major U.S. television networks. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080819/ap_en_mu/all_star_charity_song;_ylt=ArcG4jYuuKPd1N91u70PP1ZxFb8C Female singers join up on anti-cancer song--"Yahoo, 19 August 2008"] ] Two days later, she made a surprise performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, performing "DontGetIt" alongside rapper Lil Wayne.

On 9 October 2008, Lewis revealed in an interview that she turned down a $1 million deal with Mohamed Al Fayed to open the Harrods sale. Lewis commented in the press that she turned down the deal on the grounds that Harrods is the only UK department store which continues to stock clothing made from animal furs. Lewis also announced that she was in the "barganing period" of launching her own ethical line of accessories. [ [http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/celebrity/276809/leona-lewis-rejects-harrods-offer-for-vegetarian-beliefs.html Leona Lewis rejects Harrods offer for vegetarian beliefs] , "Marie Claire Magazine", 9 October 2008.]

It has been confirmed that "Forgive Me" will be the next single, to be released on 3 November 2008. The video has already been released through YouTube. In addition, Leona will re-release her album "Spirit", on 17 November 2008 in Europe. The version will contain "Forgive Me", which had been before only on the US version, and one new song. [http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/index.php/forums/viewthread/2773/]

A second album is planned for release in 2009. [Brandle, Lars. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003714359 Leona's Lineup: Another Album, Then Tour] Billboard. 22 February 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.] It has been reported that Lewis is planning a £15 million world tour in 2010. [Singh, Rav. [http://notw.typepad.com/showbiz/2008/02/leona-lewis-wor.html Leona Lewis takes on the world] "News of the World". 17 February 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Personal life

Leona lives in Hackney with her boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa, an electrician, whom she has known since she was approximately ten years old.

A vegetarian since she was 12, Lewis won PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian along with Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis in 2008. [ [http://www.peta.org/feat_sexiest_vegetarians_alive.asp Leona Lewis and Anthony Kiedis Voted World's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities of 2008] PETA. 16 June 2008. Accessed 24 July 2008.]

Lewis is a close friend of Sugababe Keisha Buchanan, to whom she introduced Buchanan's current boyfriend. [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/3am/2008/02/01/keisha-s-keeper-89520-20305254/ Keisha Buchanan met boyfriend through Leona Lewis] "Daily Mirror". 1 February 2008. Accessed 6 September 2008.]

Discography

Awards and nominations

See also

*List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart
*List of artists who reached number one in Ireland
*List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
*List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (United States)
*List of British females who reached number one on the Hot 100 (United States)

References

External links

* [http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/leonalewis Leona Lewis] on MySpace
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/leonalewis Leona Lewis] on YouTube
*
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/_spirit_/ Leona Lewis] photostream at Flickr

Persondata
NAME = Lewis, Leona
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Lewis, Leona Louise
SHORT DESCRIPTION = English singer-songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH = 3 April 1985
PLACE OF BIRTH = Islington, London, England
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =