October 1st 2024.
Alexandra Burke's career has taken many twists and turns since she won The X Factor 16 years ago. Looking back, she remembers her mother, Melissa Bell, telling her to give up acting at just 16 years old. At the time, it felt like her dreams were being taken away from her by her own mother, who was a lead singer in the popular group Soul II Soul. But little did Alexandra know that her mother's advice would lead her down a path to success.
Sadly, Melissa passed away in 2017 at the age of 53, almost 10 years after watching her daughter win The X Factor and become a chart-topping sensation. But none of it would have been possible if Alexandra hadn't listened to her mother's wise words. "She told me, 'You're going to be a singer, and the rest will follow once you've had some success.' Turns out, moms really do know best," Alexandra recalls.
Now, Alexandra is taking on a new challenge as she prepares to make her debut in a TV drama called Curfew. The show, which will air on Paramount Plus, is set in a divided United Kingdom where men are forced to live under a strict curfew or face prison time. Alexandra plays the role of Helen, a strong supporter of the curfew, but she admits that the concept caused some debates in her own household.
As a woman, Alexandra understands the need for safety on the streets, but she also knows that not all men are the same and shouldn't be punished for the actions of a few. She shares, "You cannot paint every man with the same brush. I've got a lot of male friends, I've got brothers, and I would hate for them to be locked up from 7pm till 7am because of something they just didn't do."
But even though she doesn't believe in a curfew for all men, Alexandra still faces the very real danger of being attacked by a man when she's out alone. "If I'm honest with you, I don't really go out, and I'm not talking because I have children," she shares. "I have a lot of anxiety about women being out after a certain time." She admits to always being on high alert and never taking public transportation at night.
Despite her fears, Alexandra was determined to give her best performance in Curfew, even when she was surrounded by seasoned actors like Sarah Parish, Larry Lamb, and Mandeep Gill. "I'm not a trained actress, so when you see these people you've admired on TV and then you're in the same show as them, it's daunting and overwhelming," she says humbly.
But Alexandra's hard work and determination have paid off, as her performance in Curfew has been praised by many. She shares, "There is always a fear that I might not be good enough, but it makes me work harder. It makes me more determined to deliver the best." And it's this attitude that has helped her stand the test of time in an industry that has seen many X Factor winners fade into obscurity.
It's been 16 years since Alexandra won The X Factor, but she's accomplished so much since then – from topping the charts to performing in sold-out shows to even making it to the finals of Strictly Come Dancing. And now, she's excited to add acting to her list of achievements. But she knows that her success is not just due to her intuition, but also her determination and hard work. "My gut's never failed me," she says confidently. "If there's something I don't want to do, I won't do it."
And even though she's achieved so much, Alexandra doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon. She's already back to work just two months after giving birth to her children, but she's determined to take a longer break after her next child. She says, "I love to work, and I can't let kids take that away from me." And with her successful career as a singer and now an actress, she's excited for what the future holds. "If this opens up more doors to do more TV dramas and movies, please. I pray that the universe gives me more."
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