Alexandra Burke
Date of birth
25th August, 1988
Occupation
Musician
Sex
1st January, 1970
Height
Celebrity
Alexandra Burke (25.8.1988)
Alexandra Burke is an English pop star and the winner of the 2008 series of The X Factor.
Childhood: Alexandra Burke was born to Melissa Bell and David Burke in London. Her mother is formerly of Soul II Soul.
At the age of five, Alexandra took up singing, though she did not have any formal training until she entered The X Factor. Aged 12, Burke appeared on the TV talent show Star For A Night. She was the youngest person in the competition and narrowly missed out to Joss Stone. That year, she also sang down the phone to Stevie Wonder.
After finishing her GCSEs, Alexandra Burke left Islington's Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in order to focus on her schooling.
Music Career: In 2005, Burke auditioned for The X factor for the first time. She made it through to the final seven in Louis Walsh's 16-24 category but Louis did not choose her for his final four. That year's series was won by Shayne Ward.
In 2008, Alexandra Burke auditioned for The X Factor once more, where she was mentored by Cheryl Cole (of Girls Aloud). Her first live performance was a version of Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'. The following week, she performed 'I'll Be There' by the Jackson 5. During the show, she also covered tracks originally made famous by Christina Aguilera, Donna Summer, Mariah Carey, Take That and Joe Cocker.
It wasn't until week eight of the contest that she overtook Diana Vickers as the favourite to become winner of the show with her performances of Britney Spears' 'Toxic' and 'Listen' by Beyonce Knowles turning the tide.
In the final performance of the show, Alexandra Burke was up against Eoghan Quigg and JLS. Her final performance was a version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. The song went on to become her debut single, released in time to become Christmas number one (despite an internet campaign to send Jeff Buckley's version of the same song to the top spot).
In February 2009, Alexandra Burke reportedly signed a £3.5 million record deal with Epic Records. In October of that year, Burke released her debut album, entitled Overcome. Her next single, after 'Hallelujah' was 'Bad Boys', featuring Flo Rida and became another number one single for her.
In the summer of 2009, Alexandra Burke also signed an endorsement deal with Dolce & Gabbana.
At the start of 2010, Alexandra Burke released 'Broken Heels'. She was also among the artists collaborating for a Haiti Charity single, to raise money for the aid effort following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Other artists on the release include Leona Lewis, Mika, Robbie Williams and Rod Stewart, all performing a cover of 'Everybody Hurts' by R.E.M.
Alexandra Burke Says Britain Has "Massive Problem" With Confident Women
By Ed Biggs in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 16 March 2018
Burke found herself regularly criticised on 'Strictly Come Dancing' last year.
She’s been hitting the comeback trail in the last six months following her appearance on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and the release of her new album.
But Alexandra Burke has been reflecting on the criticism she’s been getting, saying that Britain has a “massive problem” with confident women. In the final weeks of last year’s ‘Strictly’, the 29 year old singer former ‘x factor’ winner came under mounting tabloid pressure and speculation, most of it do with the fact that she had faith in her own ability.
It was part of a wider trend in recent years that seemed to be rail-roading female stars into behaving in a certain, narrow kind of way if they wanted acceptance from the public, where the self-deprecating Adele could win awards but the unapologetic boldness of Jessie J would take flack.
Continue reading: Alexandra Burke Says Britain Has "Massive Problem" With Confident Women
Alexandra Burke Reveals "Secret Illness" Battle During Last Few Weeks Of 'Strictly'
By Ed Biggs in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 02 March 2018
Burke was apparently battling a health condition during the denouement of 'Strictly Come Dancing' last December.
Alexandra Burke has revealed that she was battling a secret illness throughout the final weeks of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ at the end of last year.
The 29 year old former ‘X Factor’ winner was a defeated finalist in the 2017 edition of the BBC’s dancing contest. The series had started shortly after the death of her mother, and Burke spoke to the Huffington Post about how tough it was to take part – and not just because of that bereavement.
She revealed that she was “really sick” during the closing stages of the competition. “I'm not going to lie to you, it was bloody difficult. I was in the studio every single day while doing ‘Strictly’ and I had to stop towards the end because I got really, really sick during the last three weeks, which I didn't tell anyone about.”
Continue reading: Alexandra Burke Reveals "Secret Illness" Battle During Last Few Weeks Of 'Strictly'
Alexandra Burke Has Announced Her Engagement
By Charlotte Court in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 08 January 2018
The Strictly Come Dancing star's fiancee proposed in Paris
Former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke capped off a fantastic year in 2017 that saw her rocket into the final of BBC show Strictly Come Dancing by getting engaged to her long-term partner, Josh Ginnelly.
Her daughter, Alexandra, followed in her singing footsteps when she won the fifth series of singing competition, The X Factor and has continued to remain on the singing scene.
Continue reading: Alexandra Burke Announces Her Mother, Melissa Bell, Has Passed Away
Alexandra Burke Gets Naked For PETA Anti-Fur Campaign Photoshoot [Picture]
By Lauren James in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 01 October 2013
The pop star has boldly lend her support to PETA's fight against animal cruelty.
As September's fashion month draws to a close and it has become clear that numerous fashion designers still won't drop real animal fur from their collections, anti-animal cruelty charity PETA have reinvigorated their fur campaign to include a new face.
2008 X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke is the new celebrity to be featured in the PETA campaign against the use of animal fur to make clothing. Shot in a flattering black and white, the photo displays PETA's slogan "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" and explains the barbaric practices involved in skinning a creature.
Christy Turlington, Bethenny Frankel, Olivia Munn, Charlotte Ross, Gemma Collins, Elisabetta Canalis and Wendy Williams are just a handful of the celebrities who have all starred in the high-profile campaign to eliminate real fur from fashion and after Burke there are sure to be many more.
Continue reading: Alexandra Burke Gets Naked For PETA Anti-Fur Campaign Photoshoot [Picture]
Pictures: Rihanna Caps Busy Day In London With Performance At The Forum
By Contributor in Music / Festivals on 20 November 2012
She's been aggravating all and sundry on the 777 flight with her non-appearances, but Rihanna did step out in public to wow fans by playing a show at intimate Forum venue in London.
Continue reading: Pictures: Rihanna Caps Busy Day In London With Performance At The Forum
Alexandra Burke and Samuel L Jackson - Alexandra Burke and Samuel L Jackson Saturday 20th October 2012 Shooting Stars Gala Dinner held at the Corinthia Hotel.
Alexandra Burke Saturday 21st July 2012 Radio City Live at Liverpool Echo Arena - Performances
Alexandra Burke Wednesday 14th March 2012 Celebrities arrive at the Riverside studios to film 'Celebrity Juice'
Alexandra Burke - Tuesday 7th September 2010 at ITV Studios London, England
Alexandra Burke Thursday 12th November 2009 sporting a mini dress and matching knickers on show, while performing during the Christmas Lights switching ceremony at Manchester City Centre Manchester, England