Leona Lewis Attacker Was a 'Factor' Reject

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 16th 2009 06:56AM

The crazed fan who slapped superstar singer Leona Lewis in the face during a book signing this week was actually a rejected contestant from the reality show 'X Factor' that launched her career. The Sun is reporting that 29-year-old Peter Kowalczyk envied Lewis after she won the wildly popular show -- Britain's equivalent of 'American Idol,' -- and that after he was rejected, he became bitter.

"He wants to be a singer," his father told The Sun. "He went along and queued at X Factor. How far he got with it? Nowhere."

'I Will Be'

To get his ill-conceived revenge, Kowalczyk waited on line for five hours to meet Lewis at her book signing, and once he got close enough to the 'I Will Be' songstress, he belted her with his right hand. Lewis was quickly rushed away from the scene in tears.

Kowalczyk was quickly arrested and has been charged with assault and was taken to a psychiatric hospital, The Sun is reporting.

Neighbors of Kowalczyk said that he was a "very sick" loner, and that "his only visitors were his parents."

Since the assault, Lewis has canceled an upcoming promotional tour in Germany. According to a Sun source, she is "petrified it could happen again. They could have a knife or acid next time."

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Leona Lewis Photos

Singer Leona Lewis is seen here at her book signing at Waterstone's in London just minutes before she was attacked by a fan.

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Leona Lewis Snapshots

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 (58634478), contact FilmMagic.com

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(FILES) A file photo taken on November 6, 2008, shows British singer Leona Lewis arriving at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Leona Lewis cancelled a planned visit to Germany Thursday October 15, 2009, as she recovered from being punched in the head during a book signing, her spokesman said. The 24-year-old, who last year became the first British woman to top the US charts for more than 20 years with her single "Bleeding Love", pulled out of the one-day promotional trip following Wednesday's attack. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL/FILES (Photo credit should read Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

(FILES) A file photo taken on March 1, 2008, shows British singer Leona Lewis performing in the eastern German town of Halle. British singer Leona Lewis cancelled a planned visit to Germany Thursday October 15, 2009, as she recovered from being punched in the head during a book signing, her spokesman said. The 24-year-old, who last year became the first British woman to top the US charts for more than 20 years with her single "Bleeding Love", pulled out of the one-day promotional trip following Wednesday's attack. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH/FILES GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/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

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Leona Lewis attends book signing at Waterstone's, Piccadilly on October 14, 2009 in London, England. Leona Lewis Book Signing At Waterstone's, Piccadilly Waterstone's, Piccadilly London, England United Kingdom October 14, 2009 Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58636060), contact FilmMagic.com

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Leona Lewis attends book signing at Waterstone's, Piccadilly on October 14, 2009 in London, England. Leona Lewis - Book Signing Waterstone's, Piccadilly London, England United Kingdom October 14, 2009 Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58636055), contact FilmMagic.com

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©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Singer Leona Lewis autographs her book "Dreams" at WaterstoneÕs booksellers in LondonÕs Piccadilly. NON-EXCLUSIVE October 14, 2009 Job: 91014W9 London, England www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [1452]

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