Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
SINCE 2008, BRIT NOMINEE, ALEXANDRA BURKE’S CAREER HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITHIN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WITH HER DEBUT SINGLE, ‘HALLELUJAH’ HOLDING A EUROPEAN RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST SINGLE SALES WITHIN JUST 24 HOURS, SELLING OVER 105,000 COPIES IN JUST ONE DAY. THE SINGLE REACHED NUMBER ONE IN THE UK CHRISTMAS CHART AND BECAME THE TOP SELLING SINGLE OF 2008. BY JANUARY 2009 ‘HALLELUJAH’ HAD SOLD OVER 1 MILLION COPIES ACROSS THE UK ALONE; A RECORD FOR A BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST OF THAT ERA.
Why I love Notting Hill Carnival
NHC means so much to me because of the culture and the history. I come from a Jamaican family who have alway embraced and loved carnival. It’s the one time in the year where people of all cultures can come together and become one, through great music, food and a good vibe. I love how naturally the carnival weekend brings families and friends together.
My best NHC moment would simply have to be when I first became an ambassador. That moment of officially opening the carnival, cutting the ribbon was such an honour!
As I’m just a girl from Islington, to be asked to become the first ambassador- well words can’t express what that meant to me.
My first NHC experience was when I was very very young (maybe 4 or 5 years old) I just remember being there with my family and seeing my Aunty in particular having a great time! Trust me! Us as the kids my siblings and cousins) just had the best time running around and enjoying the music and soaking it all in!
NHC is unique not only because it is the worlds largest street festival. But also the fact that no matter come rain, sunshine or storm - anyone that is a carnival goer will be loyal to carnival and make sure they turn up no matter the weather! For one weekend in the year Notting Hill is colourful, loud, happy, vibrant and loving. Carnival is a vibe that can’t be created anywhere else!
My favourite thing about the NHC carnival experience is walking through the streets of Ladbroke Grove. There is something special in the air, being surrounded by people in mas and seeing so much effort put into costumes and how confident it makes people feel is amazing. The smell of the mouthwatering food cooking at the stalls that line the roads, and how many people that fill the carnival route and are content and vibin’. It’s truly the one time of the year that so many people look forward to. Because it simply is an unforgettable experience.
Alexandra Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth UK series of The X Factor in 2008 and currently stands as one of the most successful winners of the show selling well over 4 million records in the UK alone. After winning The X Factor, Alexandra released the winner’s single ‘Hallelujah’, which became the current European record holder for single sales over a period of 24 hours, selling 105,000 in one day. The song also became the top-selling single of 2008 in the UK and the UK’s Christmas number one. By January 2009, the single had sold over one million copies in the UK alone, a first for a British female soloist. Her debut album, Overcome, debuted at number one in the UK Album Charts and spawned four number one singles on the UK Singles Chart and the Irish Singles Chart – and saw ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Bad Boys’, becoming Platinum selling singles. The album became one of the most successful albums of that year in the UK and the singles released from the album earned her three BRIT Award nominations. Alexandra’s second album, Heartbreak on Hold, was released in June 2012 and herself funded EP. ‘Renegade’ which came out in 2016 receiving critical acclaim.
In 2017 Alexandra had a triumphant run as a contestant on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and danced her way to second place in the final. 2018 saw Alexandra released her eagerly anticipated new album The Truth Is. Alexandra’s third studio record features a host of original tracks showcasing her phenomenal voice and songwriting talent. Alexandra is no stranger to theatre, she made her West End debut in 2014 when she starred as Rachel Marron in the highly acclaimed musical, The Bodyguard. In 2016, she stepped into the lead role as Deloris van Cartier in Sister Act. April 2018 Alexandra took on the role of ‘Svetlana’ in the first West End production of Chess since 1986. Following the success of ‘Chess’ she took on the iconic starring role of ‘Roxie Hart’ in the hit show ‘Chicago’.
With a huge passion for fitness, in 2020 Alexandra became the face of a brand-new fitness workout, Fortis for Speedflex along-side legendary English football player, Alan Shearer. Sppedflex will be rolled out across Everyone Active gyms across the country.
As the Ambassador for Breast Cancer Care, Diabetes UK, WellChild, Theatres Trust, The Royal Commonwealth Society and Notting Hill Carnival, it is important for Alexandra to give back to her community and causes close to her heart, she will always find time for charity amongst her work commitments. In the wake of her beloved mother’s passing, in 2018 Alexandra setup the The Melissa Bell Foundation in her mother’s honour to help disadvantaged children gain access to music, dance and drama classes at the world-renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. She also set-up The Fall Ball, the gala event aims to raise funds for the The Melissa Bell Foundation.
Alexandra’s success since The X Factor is a testament to her strength and talent as one of the most distinguishable powerhouse voices in the UK