The X-Factor star won two awards at the ceremony last night, picking up Best Album for the multi million-selling Spirit as well as Best Video for single Bleeding Love.
But when she made her acceptance speech via video link, the crowd was unimpressed.
To jeers and boos, she said: 'Thank you so much I'm so sorry I can't be here with you tonight. I'm there in spirit.'
Jeered: Leona, seen here in New York, fell foul of fans in London after failing to appear at the Mobo Awards
The booing got so loud that the ceremony's co-host, former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, had to appeal to the crowd saying: 'Stop giving Leona Lewis a hard time, you lot. It's not her fault she's not here.'
Leona, 23 , had chosen to be at the star-studded Hennessy Artistry Finale party at Gotham Hall in New York where she was due to perform with singer Ne-Yo.
The frosty response at the Mobos shocked singer Sinitta who accepted Lewis's award for her.
She could barely be heard as she said: 'I remember when Simon [Cowell] and I first discovered her. She goes from strength to strength. You should be proud.'
Singer Estelle, 28, originally from Hammersmith, beat Lewis to the coveted Best UK Female Artist. She said: 'I'm supposed to be on tour, but ... I had to be here.'
She also won the Best Song award for American Boy. London rapper Dizzee Rascal and picked up award for Best Rapper.
Kanya King, founder and chief executive of Mobo, said: 'I'm particularly delighted that British talent through artists such as Estelle and Leona receive the recognition they justly deserve.'
The Sugababes perform with Taio Cruz at the MOBO Awards 2008 held at Wembley Arena last night
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