British singing sensation Leona Lewis has swapped a rough London neighbourhood for Hollywood - despite insisting she would never turn her back on her hometown.
The Bleeding Love hitmaker vowed to stay close to her family in the British capital's Hackney area after she won U.K. talent show The X Factor in 2006.
But it seems the star's success stateside, scoring a number one with her debut album Spirit, has changed Lewis' mind - she is basing herself in Tinseltown.
Lewis bought a two-bedroom apartment in her hometown after she landed a $7.5 million (£5 million) recording contract with music mogul Clive Davis, and swore never to leave her beloved London.
She said, "It would be too hard. I love the flat (apartment) - it's really private and the neighbours are cool and it's very close to mum and dad."
However, the singer has been won over by her new home - a $10,500 (£7,000)-a-month luxurious five-bed villa with its own pool, according to Britain's Daily Mail.
A pal tells the publication, "She plans to spend a lot more time out in the States at her new home.
"She made a lot of money and she though it made sense as she is recording her album out there."