Leona Lewis 'Punched' at Book Signing

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 14th 2009 01:35PM

Police have arrested a man over an alleged assault on singer Leona Lewis at her 'Dream' book signing in London. Lewis' spokesman said the singer had been signing autographs for around 90 minutes when "a guy came up and punched her to the side of the head," BBC reports

The event ended immediately, and Lewis was quickly escorted out and spotted in tears. Lewis' rep said the singer sustained bruising to the side of her head and was left "shaken" by the incident.

"Lewis was doing a signing to launch her new book. Hundreds of fans had been queuing since last night. A guy came up and punched her to the side of the head. She is absolutely gutted she did not get the signings finished," her rep added.

The bookstore's rep said they "are now doing everything we can to support the police. 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," a rep added.

'Dreams' is due to be released in November and will give fans a personal insight into her life behind the headlines and reveal Lewis' path from normal girl to global superstar.

Lewis was scheduled to appear on the BBC's 'The One Show' on Wednesday night, however a spokesperson confirmed she has pulled out.

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Leona Lewis Photos

Leona Lewis attends a signing for her new book 'Dreams' on October 14, 2009 in London, England. More photos >>

Danny Martindale/WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Leona Lewis Snapshots

Leona Lewis attends a signing session for her new book 'Dreams' at Waterstone's in Piccadilly on October 14, 2009 in London, England Leona Lewis - Book Signing Waterstone's, Piccadilly London, England United Kingdom October 14, 2009 Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage.com To license this image (58634790), contact WireImage.com

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Leona Lewis signs copies of her new book 'Dreams' at Waterstone's booksellers in Piccadilly on October 14, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Leona Lewis

Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Singer Leona Lewis signs copies of her new book 'Dreams' at Waterstone's booksellers in Piccadilly on October 14, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Leona Lewis

Getty Images

Leona Lewis sighted arriving at Waterstones Picadilly on October 14, 2009 in London, England. Leona Lewis Sighting In London - October 14, 2009 London, England United Kingdom October 14, 2009 Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58634475), contact FilmMagic.com

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic.com

FILE - In this July 15, 2009 file photo, singer Leona Lewis arrives at a party for the one-year anniversary of the 3.1 Phillip Lim clothing store in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)

Tags: Leona Lewis, LeonaLewis

Comments

(44)

Wednesday 14 October

By LAURIE

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

When the man slapped her, he is no longer classified as a "FAN" he is some CREEP.

By Kai

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

No Laurie I am sure she didn't deserve that. She seems like nice wholesome girl. Did Taylor Swift deserve a Kanye rant? No, same difference. Be nice.

By AxiommoixA

Kai are you dyslexic? Laurie was saying the guy is a creep. She didnt say a thing about her deserving it. I swear......READ thoroughly!!

By Arthur

I am disgusted that this happened to such a sweet person! I feel bad for the fans who had lined up for hours to get their book signed too. I hope Leona recovers soon.

By Stefan Richard

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Actually, the word FAN comes from fanatic. I think that guy qualifies.

By mcrforeverr

wat did she do? she didnt do anything wrong.

By Pierre

That guy who punched her must be crazy.

By Mikey

He probably punched her because he got fed up with her awful music that sounds like a whining whale! haha.

By webo

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Come on people! The whole thing was staged to bring attention to her.

Oldest trick in the book!

Thursday 15 October

By phil

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Old PR trick. Sure worked well didn't it? Hell, I don't know who she is. I may have to google her name. On second thought...Nah.

By DENNIS I.

"webo" is probably 99% right.
This "punch" was staged in order to get free press."webo would be 100% right, except that he/she said it was "the oldest trick in the book."
I am pretty sure that "the oldest trick" is:
Joan Rivers.

By Jim

Joan Rivers......Too funny!!!

By ashley

I would have punched him back. Self defense!

By Catie

WTF?? Does anyone know why he did that???

By RJS

He probably punched that head because A)Since she has no brain it probably is the place where the least amount of damage will be sustained. Which is the segway to B)Anyone that dares sing "Whole Lotta Love" at the olympic openeing ceremonies whose name isn't Robert Plant naturally deserves that japslap.

By jimi

now you know why the word 'fan' is taken from the originating word, 'fanatic'

By DJ

Sounds like mikey and webo could both use a punch in the head... Might smarten them up, although I doubt it. You cant cure stupid.

By C-Note

Micheal K - Well, if you certainly don't care, why are you posting? Besides, I'm sure the net would be more deserving without your pointless comment.

Mikey - If she's a whining whale, I'd sure hate to know what you sound like. I especially like how she's famous, hundreds of fans waited in line since the night before, and you're sitting in front of a screen critizing her singing (which is honestly one of the best I've ever heard). Good times, eh?

By janet

RJS, the pig that raise you should burn on a stick you wasteless piece of trash.

By John Boyer

Who the hell is Leona Lewis??!!

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