Leona Lewis Punched

British pop singer Leona Lewis was punched in the face during a book signing in London, England, on October 14, 2009. According to reports, Lewis, the winner of 2006's The X Factor, was attacked by a man who'd been waiting in line with fans. Lewis had been signing copies of her autobiography Dreams. She was not seriously injured.http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/14/leona.lewis.attack/index.html http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20312290,00.html

On October 15, 2009, authorities charged 29-year-old Peter Kowalczyk with assaulting Lewis. Kowalczyk was described as a "fan" and was said to be undergoing a mental evaluation.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33332567/ns/entertainment-celebrities/

In an interview with Sky News on October 29, 2009, Lewis said she did not plan on hiring extra security to protect her in the wake of the attack.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1223761/Leona-Lewis-speaks-book-signing-attack-saying-Im-alive-It-worse.html

Authorities arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the incident. Peter Kowalczyk was charged with assault. Amateur video shows the immediate aftermath of the punch; Lewis is seen being whisked away by staff as shocked fans look on and the suspect is subdued.http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/14/leona.lewis.attack/index.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3EjN9OopE http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/10/15/leona-lewis-attacker-charged/

"Thank you so much for your support, it is truly overwhelming. Yesterday (Wednesday) was a horrible shock and left me extremely hurt and upset. I’m very sorry to those I wasn’t able to meet at the signing. Thank you again for all of the lovely messages. Love you all."http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/10/15/leona-lewis-attacker-charged/