Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter, actress, and model. Born and raised in Islington, Inner London, she later attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon. Lewis achieved national recognition when she won the third series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music. Her winner's single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This", peaked at number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart and broke a world record by reaching 50,000 digital downloads within 30 minutes. In February 2007, Lewis signed a five-album contract in the United States with Clive Davis's record label, J Records.
Lewis at the 2014 Mercy For Animals charity event, in Los Angeles
Simon Cowell (pictured) served as Lewis's mentor while on the third series of The X Factor
Lewis performing at the Clive Davis Pre Grammy Gala in 2009
Lewis on stage with Jimmy Page at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Lewis, Page and David Beckham represented Britain in the handing over segment for the 2012 Games to be held in London.
The BRIT School is a British performing and creative arts school located in Selhurst, Croydon, England, with a mandate to provide education and vocational training for the performing arts, music, music technology, theatre, musical theatre, dance, applied theatre, production arts and the creative arts film and media production, interactive digital design, visual arts and design. Selective in its intake but free to attend, the school is notable for its celebrity alumni.
The BRIT School in 2007
Beatles Gig (Music)
Dance Vision (Dance)
Steer The Stars (Musical Theatre)