Today, Leona Lewis releases an EP of three of her favorite songs, the title track “Hurt” (Nine Inch Nails as interpreted by Johnny Cash/co-produced by Graham Stack and Matt Furmidge),”Iris” (Goo Goo Dolls), and “Colorblind” (Counting Crows), available for download now just in time for the holidays.

X Factor UK winner Leona Lewis also announces that she is scheduled to perform on the finale of X Factor US this Thursday, 12/22. She will be performing her hit single “Run,” which is also available on iTunes.

Leona has been in the studio finishing her forthcoming third studio album Glassheart, set for release next year. Most recently she has been working with acclaimed British producer Fraser T Smith who has worked with artists such as Adele, Kylie Minogue, Cee-Lo Green, Britney Spears and Ellie Goulding. After working together on songs for the new album they decided to put together an EP to be released for fans while Glassheart is being completed.

Leona has had an amazing journey since winning X Factor back in 2006, achieving 20 million single and album sales worldwide, her unrivalled international successes and achievements have seen her win multiple Grammy and BRIT nominations. She’s enjoyed record-breaking chart success internationally with Number One albums and singles, becoming the first-ever British artist to debut at Number 1 on the US album charts with a debut album, and her single “Bleeding Love” was Number 1 on over 35 singles/airplay charts. Leona has also performed live at some of the world’s most prestigious events including Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday concert and represented Great Britain at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics alongside Jimmy Page and David Beckham. Last year Leona completed her first sold-out UK arena tour.

The Live Nation produced summer tour will begin on July 15th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT making a 20 date trek throughout North America. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning May 21st at LiveNation.com. Citi® cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, May 19th at 10am local time through Citi’s Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Global superstar, multi-platinum recording artist, and three-time Grammy Award nominee Leona Lewis, released her second album ECHO (J/Syco Music) last year and sang the Golden Globe nominated song “I See You” (Theme from Avatar). Leona’s debut album Spirit, sold over 6 million copies and broke multiple first-ever records – it entered the UK charts at #1 and became the U.K.’s fastest-selling debut of all time. In the U.S., Spirit debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart, marking the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album. Spirit features her #1 worldwide massive hit single “Bleeding Love” which was the best selling single of 2008 and awarded Leona the honor of being the first British female solo artist to top the Hot 100 in more than 21 years.

For complete ticket and tour information visit: leonalewismusic.com and LiveNation.com.

LEONA LEWIS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

July 15 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
July 17 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 18 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
July 20 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
July 22 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
July 24 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 25 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 28 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
July 30 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
July 31 Boston, MA Comcast Center
August 03 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
August 05 Atlanta, GA Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
August 07 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
August 08 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
August 10 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
August 12 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 14 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
August 15 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
August 18 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
August 19 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 (“Bleeding Love”), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHO gave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. “I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer,” she says, “so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do.”

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and “Bleeding Love” co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single “Happy.” She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her “titanium-caliber voice” (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO.

ECHO also finds the 24-year-old London native expanding her palette and exploring adventurous sonic territory. The dancefloor-friendly “Outta My Head” is sleek, stylish electro-pop, while the rock-driven “Love Letter” and “I Got You” show an edgier side of Lewis. Then there’s “Brave,” which soars with a Middle Eastern influence and pounding timpanis, and the sultry, synth-driven “Fly Here Now.”

“I really wanted a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to the songs,” says Lewis, a self-described “film nerd” who namechecks ’80s fantasy film The Labyrinth as her all-time favorite. “We would even put on movies in the studio to inspire us; it was a cool way of writing. I’m always thinking of scenes in my head.” Of course, ECHO features plenty of epic, lush ballads to satisfy Spirit fans, including the uplifting first single “Happy,” which Lewis says is “about overcoming obstacles and striving for happiness,” and People magazine called “passionate and soul-searching.”

It’s that passion and soulfulness that permeate ECHO, which Lewis can’t wait for the public to hear. “I’m actually more confident with this album than the last,” she says. “I’ve taken more control this time and I feel more at ease with everything. To me, it’s all about great songs. I hope they move people as much as they move me.”

Lewis was “discovered” in 2006 after auditioning for The X Factor, a British talent show executive-produced by American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who is also a judge. The then-22-year old — who attended performing arts academy The BRIT School, and famously worked as a Pizza Hut waitress to support her fledging music career — won the competition after endearing herself to fans week after week with her soaring voice, down-to-earth personality, and striking beauty. Certain he had a superstar on his hands, Cowell phoned legendary music executive and J Records founder Clive Davis, who teamed up with Cowell to sign Lewis to J Records/Syco Music, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2006.

The track-listing for ECHO is as follows:
“Happy”

“I Got You”

“Love Letter”

“Can’t Breathe”

“You Don’t Care”

“Outta My Head”

“Brave”

“My Hands”

“Alive”

“Don’t Let Me Down”

“Fly Here Now”

“Broken”

“Lost Then Found” (with One Republic)

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 (“Bleeding Love”), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHO gave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. “I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer,” she says, “so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do.”

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and “Bleeding Love” co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single “Happy.” She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her “titanium-caliber voice” (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO.

ECHO also finds the 24-year-old London native expanding her palette and exploring adventurous sonic territory. The dancefloor-friendly “Outta My Head” is sleek, stylish electro-pop, while the rock-driven “Love Letter” and “I Got You” show an edgier side of Lewis. Then there’s “Brave,” which soars with a Middle Eastern influence and pounding timpanis, and the sultry, synth-driven “Fly Here Now.”

“I really wanted a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to the songs,” says Lewis, a self-described “film nerd” who namechecks ’80s fantasy film The Labyrinth as her all-time favorite. “We would even put on movies in the studio to inspire us; it was a cool way of writing. I’m always thinking of scenes in my head.” Of course, ECHO features plenty of epic, lush ballads to satisfy Spirit fans, including the uplifting first single “Happy,” which Lewis says is “about overcoming obstacles and striving for happiness,” and People magazine called “passionate and soul-searching.”

It’s that passion and soulfulness that permeate ECHO, which Lewis can’t wait for the public to hear. “I’m actually more confident with this album than the last,” she says. “I’ve taken more control this time and I feel more at ease with everything. To me, it’s all about great songs. I hope they move people as much as they move me.”

Lewis was “discovered” in 2006 after auditioning for The X Factor, a British talent show executive-produced by American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who is also a judge. The then-22-year old — who attended performing arts academy The BRIT School, and famously worked as a Pizza Hut waitress to support her fledging music career — won the competition after endearing herself to fans week after week with her soaring voice, down-to-earth personality, and striking beauty. Certain he had a superstar on his hands, Cowell phoned legendary music executive and J Records founder Clive Davis, who teamed up with Cowell to sign Lewis to J Records/Syco Music, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2006.

The track-listing for ECHO is as follows:

“Happy”

“I Got You”

“Love Letter”

“Can’t Breathe”

“You Don’t Care”

“Outta My Head”

“Brave”

“My Hands”

“Alive”

“Don’t Let Me Down”

“Fly Here Now”

“Broken”

“Lost Then Found” (with One Republic)

This limited edition CD/DVD package features four new, never-before-released songs in the U.S., including Leona’s #1 UK chart breaking smash hit single, “Run,” originally recorded by Snow Patrol. Leona’s “Run” shattered UK chart records when it entered at #1, becoming the fastest selling digital single ever in a week. The deluxe edition will also include 7 music videos including four never-before-released music videos in the U.S. of “Bleeding Love,” “Forgive Me,” “Footprints in the Sand” and “Run,” which is currently YouTube’s most popular video globally (“Run” was watched 1.4 million times in its first 10 days live). Additionally, this deluxe version of Spirit also includes an expanded 16-page booklet featuring never-before-seen photos of Leona. (See below for complete track listing for CD and DVD).

Leona’s Spirit has been on a record-breaking streak ever since its release in the UK in November 2007, where it entered the British album chart at #1 and became the U.K.’s fastest-selling debut of all time. In the U.S., Spirit was released on April 8, 2008 (J Records/Syco Music), and debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart, marking the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.

The blockbuster smash single “Bleeding Love,” co-written by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 the week of March 27th, making Lewis the first British female solo artist to top the Hot 100 in more than 21 years. The single spent 39 weeks on the chart, four of them at #1 (breaking yet another all-time record for a British female solo artist) and smashed the radio spin record with the most weekly plays ever in a one-week period at the Top 40 radio format with 10,665 spins. “Bleeding Love,” the biggest selling single of 2008 has been a Billboard Digital Song chart-topper and has sold more than 3 million tracks in the U.S., while the ringtone has been certified platinum with over 1.4 million sold, with a total of over 5 million digital and mobile track sales combined. Leona’s follow-up hit single “Better In Time” reached the #3 spot on the Top 40 chart and has sold 1.4 million digital and mobile tracks combined. Her third single, “I Will Be,” impacted Top 40 Radio this week as the #1 most added new release at the format.

2008 was truly remarkable for Leona Lewis. Since releasing her debut album Spirit, she literally hasn’t stopped. She’s been breaking world records, making chart history, traveling the globe, appearing on magazine covers and generally conquering the world. No one could have predicted the scale of the Hackney born UK singer’s unrivaled success. In a short space of time, Leona has established herself as an international superstar and household name.

To date, Spirit has sold 6 million copies around the world.

Chart and sales milestones achieved by Leona Lewis in 2008:

* Leona is the best selling new artist of 2008.
* Leona is the fifth best selling artist worldwide in 2008.
* “Bleeding Love” is the best selling single of 2008 and iTunes top selling single of 2008.
* Billboard Magazine names Leona Lewis the Top New Artist of the Year in 2008
* 3 Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year (“Bleeding Love”), Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Bleeding Love”), and Best Pop Vocal Album (Spirit).

SPIRIT –THE DELUXE EDITION CD AND DVD TRACK LISTING

CD

Bleeding Love

Better In Time

I Will Be

I’m You

Forgive Me

Misses Glass

Angel

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Yesterday

Whatever It Takes

Take A Bow

Footprints In The Sand

Here I Am

*Myself (Duet with Novel)

*Run

*Forgiveness

*Bleeding Love — Jason Nevins Rockin’ Radio Remix

*tracks never-before-released in the US

DVD

Bleeding Love – US edition

*Bleeding Love – UK edition

Better In Time

*Footprints In The Sand

*Forgive Me

*Run

I Will Be (Live)

*videos never-before-released in the US

It was announced today that Billboard Magazine names Leona Lewis the Top New Artist of the Year in 2008. This tremendous news follows last week’s announcement of her 3 Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year (“Bleeding Love”), Pop Vocal Performance (“Bleeding Love”), and Best Pop Album (Spirit). Also this week, Leona celebrates breaking another music business record with her new UK single “Run” (a cover of the Snow Patrol song), hitting #1 and becoming the fastest selling digital release ever. “Run” was also featured on a UK deluxe release of “Spirit” which debuted at #1 on the album chart upon its release November 17th. Last week, her debut single “Bleeding Love” was named iTunes best selling single of 2008.

2008 has been a truly remarkable year for Leona Lewis. Since releasing her debut album Spirit in November of last year she literally hasn’t stopped. She’s been breaking world records, making chart history, traveling the globe , appearing on magazine covers and generally conquering the world. No one could have predicted the scale of the Hackney born UK singer’s unrivalled success. In a short space of time Leona has established herself as an international superstar and household name. To date, Spirit has sold over 5 million copies around the world.

As a recap, to follow are other stats, chart and sales milestones achieved by Leona Lewis just this year:

Leona is the best selling new artist of 2008

Leona is the fifth best selling artist worldwide in 2008

Spirit is the 9th best selling album of 2008

“Bleeding Love” is the best selling single of 2008 and iTunes top selling single of the year.

MTV Networks I nternational have played “Bleeding Love” more than any other video this year, topping over 16,000 plays.

Leona Lewis and her debut album Spirit earned a total of 3 Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Bleeding Love,” the best selling single of 2008. Spirit also received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Lewis’ Spirit debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in April, marking the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.

Leona on hearing the news said: ” I am so thrilled to have been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards! I am totally floored. Wow! I am so lucky to have worked on this album with so many great people and it’s such an honor to be recognized by the Recording Academy. It’s been an incredible year!”

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on the CBS network beginning at 8:00 pm (ET) on Sunday, February 8th.