Speaking to Hello! magazine, the 'Bleeding Love' beauty admitted that she's saddened by events such as the UK's Grand National because it encourages people to pump money into the sport, which often results in untimely deaths of the animals that are forced to take part:

"When something needs to be said, it needs to be said. I feel the Grand National is so old and outdated, it's like bullfighting. All the girls turn up in hats and nice dresses and people are betting, while animals are being run into the ground and just dying. It's disgusting, awful. They've got their pretty dresses on while these horses are getting broken necks, broken shoulders, being shot..."

"What's sickening is that people make so much money out of it. But it's cruel, it's abusive and it's not fair."

Watch her cover Bruno Mars's 'Locked Out Of Heaven' during a recent concert here:

The 'Bleeding Love' superstar wrote a blog post (which was accompanied by the photograph shown below) following her first concert, which took place on Monday (April 15) in Germany, and explained that she was intially tempted to call off the dates and "disappear" because of the pressure:

"Only a few days ago I probably had one of the most stressful days of my life, i was in floods of tears and I had at one point thought of disappearing into the night and not coming back. All the emotions you feel during tour preparations are so overwhelming. it’s a mixture of anxiousness, nerves, excitement, tension, happiness all squishes into a ball of craziness!"

Despite confessing her inner fears about the tour, Lewis went on to add that the first show went so well: "My adrenalin is through the roof right now. That was so incredible! my first night of the tour and my first time touring in Germany, I have been feeling the pressure so much but tonight I feel like my feet can’t touch the ground, I’m flying and no body can bring me down."

Her next concert is due to be held in Hamburg, German tonight (April 19) and she will kick off the UK leg of the tour on April 26 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Watch Lewis perform 'Run' from her tour's opening night here:

It was announced this week that the British songstress has parted ways with her management company Modest! after a six year stint.

Following the news, The former X Factor UK champ's label Syco told The Mirror that she is planning to unveil a new record in 2013.

In a statement, Syco explained: "Leona Lewis is one of the UK's most successful artists, one of a few that have enjoyed huge global success in recent years selling more than 20 million records worldwide.

"She will begin the recording of her fourth album imminently to be released later this year. She remains a key priority artist for Syco and for Sony Music Worldwide."

Lewis also spoke out about her departure from her management company, saying: "I greatly enjoyed my time working with Modest! and I'm very proud of all the things we achieved together. I would like to thank them for all their hard work and support over the years. They played an important role in my career and I'll always be grateful to them.

She added: "I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my career."

The songstress had been with Modest!, which also manages heartthrobs One Direction and Olly Murs, for six years and during her time with the company she has enjoyed a No.1 single with 'Bleeding Love' in 30 different countries and sold over 20 million records worldwide.

Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee of Modest! gave a statement on the news to Music Week and said: "We were very proud to have Leona on the Modest! roster and of everything she has achieved. We wish her all the best in the next phase of her career.”

Lewis also spoke out about her departure, adding: "I greatly enjoyed my time working with Modest! and I'm very proud of all the things we achieved together. I would like to thank them for all their hard work and support over the years. They played an important role in my career and I'll always be grateful to them. I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my career."

Watch Lewis' music video for 'Lovebird' here:

The singer's debut album 'Spirit' hit No.1 in the UK and US charts upon release in 2007 whilst her latest effort 'Glassheart' landed at No.3.

However, current single 'Lovebird', which was released in November, didn't even chart in the Top 200.

Speaking to the BBC, Lewis admitted that she only really knows about her chart positions if she is doing well. The former X Factor winner said:

"I don't really - I just know when something has done really, really well. I kind of just know off of that really. I don't look in depth at statistics and stuff."

Talking about the bond she has with her fans, Lewis added:

"think it's a good relationship. Obviously, during The X Factor, people got to know me quite a bit and they got to see a journey unfold before them. I feel like people feel very invested in me. I've always been very genuine and just myself - and I think people respect that."

Speaking to Marie Claire magazine, the 27-year-old beauty explained that she has a great relationship with her 53-year-old former X Factor mentor, but although they enjoy each other's company, it's a bit awkward to really let her hair down with him, due to the 26 year age difference:

"He lives in an amazing bachelor pad that feels like a spaceship about to lift off. We go out for dinner and drink wine. I've never got drunk with him though; it's a bit like when you're with your parents and you're on your best behaviour!"

"We've always had a special connection. I think me being the first 'X Factor' contestant to go global was a big deal for Simon. He's supportive and makes me laugh."

She added that they often disagree on things, but admitted that she respects his opinion a lot: "We disagree a lot. At the end of the day he's my A&R guy, so he does have a certain amount of say in what goes on my record and we banter - but I usually get a result!"

Watch her recently released music video for 'Lovebird' below:

The former X Factor winner values her anonymity at times - and has recalled one particularly embarrassing moment when she was recognised while enjoying a quiet dinner.

Lewis revealed to OK! magazine: "When I go into a shop, if someone who works there sees me they'll put on my song. Once I was in a Chinese restaurant and they had karaoke upstairs. I was eating my dinner and they started playing one of my songs. The manager came up and said, 'You perform, you perform, we have your song!' in front of the whole restaurant. I was like, 'Really?' No [I didn't do it], how embarrassing!"

Lewis leaves showing off her vocal talents to on stage, and even though she always impresses at her sell-out shows, the star insists her performances don't always go according to plan.

She laughed: "The most embarrassing thing for me is when I fell down a lift shaft on stage. It was awful."

The country has enjoyed a huge year with the likes of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations and the London 2012 Olympic Games bringing its nations together.

Lewis performed at BBC Radio 1's massive summer event this year in her hometown of Hackney, London and she told the Daily Star that it reinforced her love of Britain. The 'Glassheart' star said:

"It was such an honour to perform in my hometown.

Lewis continued: "Being a Londoner in 2012 makes you proud with everything that has happened. I can't see me ever quitting the country."

As previously reported, Leona Lewis's latest single 'Lovebird' failed to hit the top 200 of the UK chart recently, selling less than 600 copies.

The clip sees the former X Factor star perform the track in a bird cage, and in front of a wind machine.

'Lovebird' is the second single to be taken from Lewis' third studio album 'Glassheart', following up October's 'Trouble', which reached number seven in the official singles charts.

It was co-written by Katy Perry and Britney Spears collaborator Bonnie McKee, Joshua Coleman and Lukasz 'Dr Luke' Gottwald, and will be released on December 9.

The star had previously confirmed 'Fireflies' to be the next track to be taken from 'Glassheart', but that release has been postponed until further confirmation.

Lewis recently denied rumours that she is dating One Direction's Liam Payne but admitted that the attention from the boyband member was "cute", saying to Look: "It's very flattering to get compliments like that. It's cute. If you have a bond with someone [age] doesn't come into it.

"I'd date someone younger or older, age doesn't matter to me. Or looks, really - it's all about maturity."

The 27-year-old also revealed that she hopes to get married before she turns 30, and that she has already picked her perfect wedding location.

Watch the video for Leona Lewis' 'Lovebird' below:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/leonalewis/view/62909/ Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:51:22 +0000 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/leonalewis/view/62909/ British songstress Leona Lewis has previewed some behind-the-scenes photos from her artistic new music promo.

Lewis is readying for the release of 'Lovebird' from her third studio album 'Glassheart' on December 9.

In anticipation of the new single, candid images of the star shooting the video have been released - showing Lewis filming in a giant bird cage.

One picture shows the stunning singer looking relaxed with her beauty team in between takes, while another sees Lewis looking away from the camera in a pensive pose.

The official 'Lovebird' music promo will be unveiled online tomorrow (December 5).

Lewis recently revealed how proud she is of her recent album, gushing:

"It totally represents me and I love it. It's almost six years since my first album so I have progressed a bit more. I also got the chance to try new things which was really fun.

"I think it's really important with the third album to make it as good as you can. I think it's the best album I've ever made.”

Speaking to Look magazine, the 'Bleeding Love' superstar explained that maturity doesn't necessarily come with age and she wouldn't rule out dating someone significantly older or younger purely because of a number:

"I'd date someone younger or older, age doesn't matter to me. Or looks really, it's all about maturity."

When told that One Direction's Liam Payne, whom she has recently been romantically linked to, had described her as "hot", Lewis added: "It's very flattering to get a compliment like that. It's cute. If you have a bond with someone [age] doesn't come into it."

Although she hasn't confirmed her relationship status, she confessed that she's aiming to be married before she turns 30 although she is currently 27: "I'd like to be married just before I'm 30, when I'm 29, but I don't know if it will happen."

Watch her perform an acoustic version of 'Come Alive' below:

Speaking to The Independent on Sunday, the 'Bleeding Love' star explained that she feels as though she would have been successful without having taken part in The X Factor because her experience of the industry is less than fantastic:

"I've met some deplorable people over the past six years, who have done some really bad things, and I've seen their betrayal of my trust unfold before my eyes. But I've learned from it and grown from it and I'm much better now at knowing who I should avoid."

She added: "I believe I could have had a career in the music industry without the X Factor, but it was an amazing platform that propelled me to what's happening now. I won't listen to anything people say against it."

"I got up every week and sang on stage without that lip-syncing that a lot of artists do these days – that takes a talent that you can't fake."

Watch her music video for 'Trouble' below:

Speaking at the Marmite Oxford Street Christmas Lights switch-on yesterday (November 5) in London, the songstress explained that they make time for each other where their busy schedules allow:

"We're friends. We see each other whenever we can, but he's really busy and so am I. We've got a shared bond because of The X Factor. I always forget they were even on the show!"

Back in October, Lewis told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper that she won't confirm or deny what's going on between herself and Payne, but she is excited by the prospect of romance because "you never know where things might end up":

"All I’ll say about the rumours of me dating Liam from One Direction is you never know where things might end up if they’re given half a chance. Other than that, I’ve never been one to talk about my personal life, because it’s important to keep a little bit of yourself sacred."

Check out her newly unveiled 'Making of Glassheart' below:

The 27-year-old, who charted at No.3 this week with her third album, 'Glassheart,' refused to confirm either way when asked by the Daily Mail about her connection to the One Direction heartthrob:

"All I’ll say about the rumours of me dating Liam from One Direction is you never know where things might end up if they’re given half a chance.

"Other than that, I’ve never been one to talk about my personal life, because it’s important to keep a little bit of yourself sacred."

The 2006 X-Factor winner, who has previously denied dating the 19-year-old, went on to add that she has no interest in publicising her private life:

"Too many celebs would sell their souls to the Devil just to get in the papers. I have no desire to be ‘famous’ like that; I didn’t when I won The X Factor and I still don’t.

"The public don’t need to know every nuance of your life - it’s possible to give them a little insight and still have a normal, private life."

The X-Factor winner, who is currently battling it out for the No.1 spot with her third album, 'Glassheart,' told New magazine that she has a habit of getting herself in embarrassing situations with various celebrities:

"It's really weird. Usually when I see someone famous, for some reason, I think I know them.

"I've approached people so many times just because they are a familiar face. I smile at them and go to talk to them and clearly they don't know me!”

The 27-year-old, who this week claims that she recorded Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ first, then revealed which stars she’s approached without really knowing them:

"I've done it to Taylor Lautner from Twilight and a few of the EastEnders actors too. It's really embarrassing, but I do it all the time!"