Alexandra Burke: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

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• Ciara
• Leona Lewis
• Brandy
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• Cheryl Cole

• Evelyn "Champagne" King
• Donna Summer

Born:

Aug 25, 1988 in Islington, England

Genres:

R&B and Soul Music, Standards & Vocal Music, Classical Music

Decades Active:

2000's

Proving the old adage "If at first you don't succeed…," soul singer Alexandra Burke emerged victorious as the winner of the fifth series of The XFactor, three years after being rejected by the same show. Born in Islington, London in 1988, the daughter of exSoul II Soul vocalist Melissa Bell began singing from an early age. At 12 years old, she entered the BBC talent show Star For A Night but lost out in the final to a then unknown Joss Stone. After leaving school, Burke concentrated on pursuing a career in the music industry, performing at various clubs and touring with Young Voices, a choir that raises money for children with leukaemia. In 2005, she auditioned for the second series of The XFactor where she made it to the final seven of her category, only narrowly missing out on a place in mentor Louis Walsh's top three. In 2008, she entered the series again, but this time impressed new judge Cheryl Cole enough to be chosen for the live shows. A major contender from the outset, Burke never appeared in the bottom two and after several shock eliminations, became the redhot favourite to win the series. Thanks to a stunning duet with Beyonce and a soulful rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic "Hallelujah," Burke beat fellow finalists JLS and Eoghan Quigg to become the show's second female winner, with 58 of the vote. "Hallelujah," her debut single, became the Christmas 1 just a week later, selling 576,000 copies in its first seven days, making it the fastest selling single by a solo female artist. Since then, Burke has performed at Elton John's New Year Concert at the 02 Arena and is about to start work on her debut album.

- Jon O'Brien, All Music Guide