“Record industry body the IFPI said its anti-piracy unit was working with Simon Cowell’s Syco record label to “minimise the damage” from the leak. Don’t Let Me Down, a song with US star Justin Timberlake, is expected to be released on Lewis’s second album.” Link

“Coldplay’s Viva la Vida was the best-selling album on iTunes for 2008, the music downloading service has announced. The album featuring frontman Chris Martin (a.k.a. Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow) has sold more than 2 million copies since being released in June – and has sold more than 500,000 digitally, the Associated Press reports. Another Brit, Leona Lewis, claimed the year’s top-selling single with her addictively catchy hit ‘Bleeding Love.’ ” [Link]

Leona Lewis @ Tribute to Bambi 2008 charity in Rust, Germany

Leona Lewis appears on the red carpet of the 2008 American Music Awards

Simon Cowell is so proud of Leona Lewis — he’s buying her a $5m Beverly Hills mansion. The ‘American Idol’ judge, 48, splashed the cash because he reckons Leona, 22, needs a base at the heart of America’s music industry. “Simon thinks she is absolutely amazing so he wanted to treat her,” a source told Britain’s Sunday People newspaper. “He’s so pleased with how hard she works and what a massive success she’s become. “Even though Simon is very rich, he’s careful with money and doesn’t like to waste it. [Link]