- 2 weeks ago
18 years ago, Leona Lewis cut us open with "Bleeding Love" and we've been enthralled ever since. After nearly two decades of success, the GRAMMY-nominated songstress is bringing hits from her debut album, as well as tracks from her holiday LP to Las Vegas for a residency this November.
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MusicTranscript
00:00Leona Lewis, it is so nice to meet you.
00:02Thank you so much for stopping by the studio today.
00:04Thank you for having me.
00:05Welcome to LA.
00:06You don't live here, do you?
00:08So, yeah, I do.
00:09I'm kind of back and forth, but I live in LA.
00:12I'm actually in the South Bay, which I love.
00:14So I'm by the water.
00:16It's lovely.
00:16Yeah, do you get home much?
00:18I actually just got back from the UK two weeks ago.
00:21So I'm like just getting over the jet lag.
00:25And yeah, it was lovely there.
00:26London in the summer is like the place to be.
00:30It's so beautiful.
00:32The vibe is good.
00:34Everyone is happy and enjoying life.
00:37And then when it hits and we go the other way.
00:39Yeah, it was warm.
00:40We had some heat waves.
00:42Because we did, we're talking about marathons before.
00:44Let's do the London Marathon.
00:45I did like the shorter one.
00:47But during that day, it was earlier this year.
00:49It was like, I want to say like April or something, but it was hot.
00:52It was the heat wave.
00:53It was like 90 or 80 degrees and everyone was dropping.
00:55And that's definitely not normal.
00:57No.
00:58Like you picked.
00:59Yeah.
00:59But I hear so many people that are like, I just, London is, it's always been obviously
01:03so popular.
01:04But like people here are saying like, I would move to London in a heartbeat.
01:07So it's just so beautiful.
01:08And it's one of my favorite places too.
01:10So I say it while you bounce back.
01:11But it is a long flight.
01:12It is.
01:13Yeah.
01:13What's your flight preference when you do like, what do you do?
01:16Are you a book person?
01:17Do you watch movies?
01:18Do you know what?
01:19Now I have a daughter.
01:21I read a lot more books because I want to be a good example and not just constantly like
01:26be on my laptop or my phone.
01:27So she's actually made me delve into books a lot more.
01:30So I have a bit of book time and a bit of like movie time or a series or something.
01:35Yeah.
01:35I know.
01:36I was, that's like my rot time where I could do three back to back movies and feel no guilt
01:40about it.
01:40And you're good.
01:41Yeah.
01:41Yeah.
01:41I'm like, what else am I going to do?
01:42You know?
01:43Aeroplane is also like, I can eat whatever I want.
01:45I can do whatever I want.
01:47It's like, it doesn't, nothing counts up there.
01:49Yeah.
01:49Like you're good.
01:50Calories don't count.
01:51Do what you want.
01:52Yeah.
01:52Time doesn't count.
01:53It's all just a void.
01:54Well, it's so exciting to have you here because you have such big news and congrats on everything
01:58for your career wise and to now leading to your first Vegas residency.
02:02Um, it's insane that you've never like, you performed in the U S yeah.
02:07So I've performed, I've done a few TV shows, but I've never toured here, never a full live
02:11show.
02:12So I'm really, really excited, um, to actually get the chance and the opportunity to come
02:17back and perform songs from my first album and songs from my Christmas album.
02:22I'm just so excited to actually get to do that here.
02:25Cause I've always had a lot of love from here, felt very supported by people here.
02:29So excited to share this part of me that I never got to the first time around.
02:35So, um, yeah, I'm really excited about it.
02:37It's just insane to me that it's like never been a thing.
02:39Cause I was just wild.
02:41Um, what do you envision the first like American shows of yours to look like?
02:46It's a lot of buildup.
02:47Yeah.
02:47So I'm performing at the Venetian.
02:49Um, it's a venue called the Voltaire, which is a beautiful room.
02:52Um, what I love most about it is that it's very intimate.
02:56Um, so it's very up close and personal.
03:00The, um, show is, um, it's quite jazzy influence.
03:04We've got a brass band.
03:05Um, the band are insane.
03:07So I'm really excited.
03:09The musicality is amazing.
03:11So I feel like people are going to be in for like a real treat.
03:15It's a show that I, um, have built from the heart, um, because I created it with my husband
03:21and a lot of my little girls input as well.
03:24So it's going to be really fun.
03:26It's going to be family friendly and just like joyful, good vibes.
03:30Lots of love in the room.
03:31I can't wait.
03:32I'm so excited for that season.
03:33Like every, every year around this time I start getting the itch.
03:37I'm like, you know, I'm going to throw on, I'm going to throw on one of your Christmas
03:39songs.
03:39Just like feel something again, you know?
03:41You want to feel.
03:42Yeah.
03:42I got to feel something.
03:43Melt my heart.
03:44Oh, I miss that.
03:45I miss that era.
03:45So I can't wait to see how you intertwine both.
03:47You know, you have so many, um, iconic songs along with the Christmas season.
03:50It's just going to be amazing.
03:52Have you spent much time in Vegas?
03:54I have actually, um, because my husband, he's a show producer, so he has, um, productions
03:59over there.
04:00So I've been there quite a lot.
04:02Um, and what I love most about it, obviously the entertainment is fantastic and amazing, but
04:08I love the nature, um, the lakes around there, the hiking.
04:13So I'm really excited to like explore that a little bit more because I'm going to be there
04:17for like two months.
04:18I'm going to be living there.
04:19Right.
04:19So I'm going to kind of, yeah, be a bit outdoorsy while I'm kind of not do it in show mode.
04:25Yeah.
04:26We're on air in Vegas.
04:26So if you see Leona Lewis on your hike, it's just, she's just living it up.
04:30Say hi.
04:31Yeah.
04:31Shout some lyrics at her.
04:32So I was always curious about residencies too and like how they work and people like
04:36live there or if they go back and forth and obviously you being in California, it makes
04:40it a little easier to go home, but it is basically like setting up shop for that whole span, huh?
04:44For sure.
04:44And it's nice for me because I mean, it's my first residency.
04:48I'm used to touring.
04:49So we're like moving our whole show from venue to venue.
04:53So for me, it's nice to be in one place where you're just kind of, you can be a bit more
04:58grounded.
04:58So I'm excited about that and creating a show just for that room.
05:03So it's going to be really special because you'll only see that show there.
05:07Yeah.
05:07It's going to be a special one.
05:08What are you learning about that process?
05:10Cause it's got to be a different prep for a show like that.
05:12Yeah.
05:13Um, a lot of prep, a lot of self prep.
05:15I mean, I'm a, like, I'm definitely a prepper.
05:18I like to be so prepared and like my set lists, um, everything just, I like to be very, very
05:24prepared and very rehearsed up front.
05:26Um, so then when I get in the room with my band, I feel more freedom within that.
05:31So yeah, I've already started prepping and yeah, it's really exciting.
05:35I can't wait.
05:36You know, Mariah Carey's made a meme out of it where she de-thaws every, every season,
05:40like she's coming.
05:41Um, what is something you do to like get into the, uh, the spirit of that mindset of,
05:46you know, the holidays?
05:47Play my favorite Christmas albums, um, the Phil Spector album, anything Stevie Wonder
05:53Christmas time.
05:54Um, yeah, that's kind of that, those nostalgic, warm, kind of cozy Christmas songs that just,
06:00um, I'm there.
06:01I'm in Christmas.
06:02So good.
06:02Christmas mode.
06:03All the nostalgia.
06:04And I imagine when you record those songs, like your own Christmas music, it's never going
06:08to be at Christmas time because you got to put it out during that.
06:12Right.
06:13So like, yeah, is it in July or something that you're decking the studio out with Christmas
06:17decorations or?
06:18Yeah.
06:19So I literally recorded my Christmas album in, I think it was June or July and it was
06:26the hottest, like June or July of like that the UK has ever seen or something.
06:31So we're like, we've got our Christmas jumpers on.
06:34We don't have AC in the UK.
06:36Okay.
06:36Yeah.
06:36So it was hot.
06:37Cooking.
06:38Yeah.
06:39It's roasting.
06:40Um, but yeah, I remember that, like we were writing and recording like with in the full
06:45summer.
06:45Yeah.
06:46That's so weird.
06:47But also like, you know, it's what, it's the way it is.
06:49Yeah.
06:49You got to transport yourself there.
06:50Exactly.
06:51Exactly.
06:51Just decorate the studio.
06:53Yeah.
06:53Got the bells going.
06:55I'll be ready.
06:55Round end of September.
06:56It's all going up.
06:57I don't care.
06:57Halloween.
06:59Yeah.
06:59I just love.
07:00I do love Halloween too, though.
07:02I like Halloween and Christmas.
07:03I'm a, I definitely have to.
07:05I don't just jump over Halloween.
07:07Right.
07:07Like Thanksgiving's fine, but you don't really do Thanksgiving, right?
07:10Yeah.
07:10We don't have Thanksgiving, but, um, yeah, Halloween is.
07:13I don't have Halloween songs, is there?
07:15I know.
07:16I know.
07:16I need to record one.
07:17Could be something there.
07:18Yeah.
07:18Yeah.
07:19Like I need to, to do something.
07:21Like three, I feel like.
07:22Thriller, Monster Mash.
07:23That's about it.
07:23Yeah.
07:24I, I do like, um, I put a spell on you.
07:26Oh, that's good.
07:27Some people have adopted Rihanna.
07:29Yeah.
07:29Disturbia.
07:30Yeah.
07:30Disturbia, kind of.
07:31Yeah.
07:32Yeah.
07:32That's that vibe.
07:33Um, one more sleep has been such a Christmas staple though.
07:36Like a holiday, you know, tradition.
07:38Um, is it ever that feeling where you like, no, that song is going to be like, oh yeah,
07:42this is going to be, um, one for the ages or just become a thing of its own.
07:46Um, I mean, when I was working on it, I definitely felt what I like, I like songs that feel very
07:52timeless.
07:53Um, so anything that feels like that to me, something that can be played now or in 10 years
07:58or 10 years ago, like it just feels, it gave me that timeless feeling when I heard it and
08:04I really enjoy performing it.
08:05So I think that kind of just translates through the music.
08:09Yeah.
08:09Well, when the show takes the stage in Vegas for your, um, your first ever residency at
08:13the Venetian, uh, what is one like holiday staple that just feels very you that we're
08:18going to see in this show?
08:19Cause obviously you said you're prepping.
08:20Yeah.
08:20Um, it's going to feel very you and the family's involved.
08:23Um, what are some of those details we're going to see?
08:25Um, there's going to be different arrangements of some of the songs.
08:29So people are going to hear the songs in different ways, um, which is exciting cause I've been
08:34performing some of these songs for a long time.
08:36So it's nice for me to put a fresh spin on things.
08:40Um, so that's going to be me, but you know, a little bit different and, um, costumes.
08:47Oh yeah.
08:48I love a good costume, a good gown.
08:51So there'll be plenty of that.
08:53Um, and just the musicality is what I'm really excited about.
08:57Just reconnecting, um, with my favorite songs and hopefully people's favorite songs that
09:03they've, that they know me for.
09:05So that's going to be really important to me as well.
09:07I always love those unique spins on songs, especially ones that we've known for so long
09:11and you just give a fresh take on it and almost like revives in a new way and gives it new
09:15life.
09:15Yeah.
09:16And, and I think for, for me anyway, maybe for a lot of artists, like after a while songs
09:21start to take on new meanings as well.
09:23So, you know, you go through different things in your life, different relationships.
09:27You, I became a mom, like there's different things that are going on.
09:30So my songs resonate in a different way to me now.
09:33And I think probably to the people that are hearing them and listening to them are taking
09:37them in, in a new way.
09:39So, um, I love to, to keep that sense still about the songs, even though I arranged them
09:45in a different way.
09:46Yeah, absolutely.
09:47And for a song, even like Bleeding Love that has spanned a gender, not generations, but
09:52you know what I mean?
09:52Like different from parents that loved it.
09:54I've, we've known you for so long.
09:56I feel like from that song, um, being your big debut, uh, what are your feelings around
10:00that and how people from all different ages connect with it still?
10:04I love it so much.
10:05And I've, I've been seeing a lot of people do videos of it from literally like men in
10:11their like eighties singing the song into like girls that are like 10 years old singing the
10:16songs and doing the runs and the ad libs.
10:18And honestly, like just, it's so beautiful to me how much it's connected with people on
10:24different levels in different ways across generations.
10:27It's very, that's very special, you know?
10:31And for me, like music is my way of communicating music is my way of, of putting love out there.
10:37So to feel that received is, is a really special thing.
10:41Yeah.
10:42That's amazing.
10:43I know I was going to do an intro where I had like all your, uh, you know, all your
10:46awards and credentials. I'm like, we don't have time for this. It's too much. There's
10:49too many, but one that was really cool that you just got honored with is the OBE award
10:52officer of the order of the British empire this summer. Explain what that is. And how did
10:56that moment feel?
10:57Um, it's a very big accolade for us in the UK. Um, and it's, I, I got it for my work in
11:05music and charity. Um, so I'm very much into animal welfare and into, um, child welfare.
11:12So I do a lot of work in that sector and it's an honor that was bestowed upon me by the King.
11:18So yeah, it was, it was very special, um, very special for my family as well. Um, especially
11:23my, um, grandma's Guyanese and she came over to the UK, worked very hard to build a life
11:29for herself there, her family. So for me, it's a real honor to receive that as a granddaughter
11:35of someone who came to the UK. So the UK turning around and giving that to us was really beautiful.
11:42So it's really meaningful. Yeah. And also you have to curtsy when you see me.
11:46Oh my gosh, I messed up. Oh no, now I'm on the King's bad side. I disrespected. Um, that's so
11:52cool though. I love that you guys have stuff like that. I don't know. I'm guessing we have
11:56something similar like the medals and different stuff, but like to have, you know, your version
12:00of it's so cool. What's, what's next on, um, like your goals list? Is it to be knighted? Can
12:05that be a thing we push for? I'm going to push if I'm going to push for it. Campaign starts now.
12:10It'll be like a dame. Yeah. That's the, um, female version of being knighted. Um, it's a
12:15Sarah or a dame. Um, but yeah, let's work for that one. I love it. Um, and how have your goals
12:21changed even as like, you know, you're going through life, as you said, you have kids now. Um, what
12:25are things you also want to accomplish in like your career? I think, you know, I have a nice
12:30work-life balance. Um, and my family are like my priority and I just, my, I have a daughter,
12:39she's three years old, so it's all very new to me still. Um, and kind of, yeah, navigating
12:44her and my music and different aspirations that I have as, um, uh, a musician and an artist.
12:52Um, so yeah, just kind of, uh, working on a new album. Yeah. I know. Music, you know, doing
12:59all the things. How's it going in the studio? What's this next chapter of Leona Lewis going to
13:03look like? Really good. Um, I actually started going into the studio after I got off tour
13:08two years ago. Um, so I went straight in and started recording really, really happy with where
13:16I'm at with it. And I'm just excited to bring it all to life and to put something out there,
13:22um, probably next year. So that's exciting. That's so exciting. Absolutely. Yeah. You've
13:28probably toured and performed everywhere in the UK. That's like meaningful, correct? Is there
13:32anywhere else that you're like, gosh, that would be a bucket list to get to perform at?
13:36Yeah. So I've performed a lot in the UK, toured a lot in the UK. I would love to go to South
13:40America. I've never been to Brazil, Argentina. Um, I'd love to perform over there. That'd be really cool.
13:47Is there any U S location? I've performed in a few places, but not like full life shows. Um,
13:53I think there's this venue called red, is it red rocks? So I was thinking in my head, I was like,
13:57I could see you at red rocks. Yeah. That would be really those pipes bouncing off the rocks would
14:01be insane. You know? Yeah. I did, um, the Hollywood bowl. I went on and performed, uh, with an artist.
14:08I performed like one song. So that way it would be nice to do a show there, but I feel like the red
14:12rocks is like a really beautiful venue to like look at for the artists. Yeah. Yeah. That would
14:19be cool. That would be amazing. Well, kicking off later this year, obviously the, um, the residency,
14:25um, is there anything with your kid coming as well? Is there any bucket list things that you want to
14:29do while you're, where you're there? I feel like I've, she's mentioned hiking and everything.
14:32I'm trying to think of what, uh, what else was on the plans with the family?
14:35I would love to explore some of the nature. Um, I'd love to maybe take her to the Grand Canyon.
14:42Yeah. Um, I would love to, um, explore Havasupai maybe if I can get in there. Um, and just, yeah,
14:49learn more about the place that I'm going to be like learning about the history and the nature and
14:56just being immersed in it a bit. I love that. And I can't wait to see the show. I know it's going to
14:59be so fun. I'm a sucker for these holiday shows, especially when you get to blend in like all your hits
15:03and your interpretation of these songs, the Christmas classics. So congrats on, on making
15:08that happen. Cause it's going to be, um, something special for the holiday season and for everyone
15:12that gets to see you. Um, we do the segment on the show too. It's called all the feels. It's like
15:17sharing the good news in your life. You have so many good things going for you, but is there anything
15:22lately that's made you smile, um, whether it is with your family or something that you saw,
15:26uh, that you could share if that makes sense. Um, okay. Yeah. I guess now we're on the subject of,
15:32um, family. I just had my daughter's third birthday and I asked her, okay, what theme do you want to
15:40theme? And she was like princesses and dinosaurs. So I was like, cool. Yeah, sure. So I, um,
15:48made this cake and got these dinosaurs and like painted them all like pastel colors and then got
15:53little crowns and put them like on the dinosaurs. And that just made me smile just to be creative and
15:59fun with her. And just to like, um, get back in touch with my inner child through her and just
16:06have fun and be in the moment and be present with her. So yeah, that was like a, a feels moment for
16:12me. I love that. And you always hear that too, is when you have kids, it's almost like you get to be
16:17a kid again, you get to live it through their eyes and everything. Yeah. A hundred percent. Like
16:22they give you a lot of permission to do that. And it's yeah, been a learning curve for sure with a
16:27little one, but just her wonder of everything all the time is so magical and special. And actually
16:35like a lot of that wonder has inspired the show. Um, and she's had a lot of input into the show in
16:42that way. So, um, yeah, it's a very, very special thing. All right. I'll keep an eye out for dinosaurs
16:47and princesses at the show. Fine. I'll give up triathlons and marathons. I'll have a kid. It
16:52sounds fun. Uh, Leona Lewis, thank you so much for the time and let us know what's going on in
16:57your life and so excited for the show. Can't wait for everyone to see it. Thank you so much.
17:00Thank you so much.
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