Leona Lewis has left Simon Cowell’s record label after seven years.
The X-Factor winner signed with the music mogul’s Syco Entertainment after winning the talent show in 2006. But it was announced today that the 29-year-old singer had agreed on a new deal with Island Records, part of rival music giant Universal. The Bleeding Love singer couldn’t be more thrilled at the move.
“After seven incredible years at Sony I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to sign to perhaps the most iconic label of all, Island Records,” she said. "To me Island has always been a label where artists can really flourish and are encouraged to express themselves. Island stands for quality music and signing with such a legendary label is really like a dream come true for me. I can't wait to start making music with my new team."
Simon’s Syco label is part of Sony and Leona released four albums through it, including last year's Christmas With Love. However there appears to be no hard feelings between the singer and the 54-year-old, who tweeted his good wishes soon after the announcement was made.
“Congratulations Leona. We had seven great years together and now wish you all the best for the future. You put X Factor on the map,” he wrote.
Until the global domination of One Direction, Leona was the X-Factor’s biggest success story. Her debut album, Spirit, went 10 times platinum in the UK and she became the first British female to top the US Billboard 200 album chart in more than 20 years. The Collide singer went on to release a further three albums with Syco and totalled 20 million album sales worldwide.
