Singer and actress Alexandra Burke on her TV acting debut, family life and keeping her mum’s memory alive
KENZI DEVINE
After welcoming her second child last September, Alexandra Burke is in her element as she embraces life as a mum while working in the job she loves. The singer, 35, who became a household name after winning The X Factor in 2008, shares two children – aged nine months and 23 months old – with footballer boyfriend Darren Randolph. The couple have kept their little ones’ names and genders private.
And while it’s not even a year since she gave birth, Alexandra hasn’t slowed down one bit – with music on the back burner while her acting career thrives.
She is currently starring alongside Ruth Jones in the theatre production of Sister Act, and has bagged a role in the new Paramount+ TV series Curfew, which is being filmed this year.
But Alexandra has had tough times too – she’s been grieving the death of her beloved mother Melissa Bell, who passed away following a stroke in 2017. Since then, the singer has founded The Melissa Bell Foundation in her honour – which raises money for young people and offers scholarships to the Sylvia Young Theatre School.
Alexandra has also set up an annual Spring Ball with PR guru Nick Ede, which raises money for the charity, stroke survivors and drives all-important awareness.
Chatting at this year’s bash at Lio London near London’s Leicester Square, Alex shares how she is keeping her mum’s memory alive and why having kids has given her purpose…
Hi, Alexandra. How has life changed since you became a mum?
Becoming a mum has made me even more aware of enjoying each moment and still being present. I’ve achieved so much already which I’m so grateful for in my career, which is a short career really. Since having children, I’m enjoying everything 10 times more. The early starts are wonderful with them, family time with Darren and the kids. I couldn’t ask for anything more and I don’t remember my life without them. It’s unbelievable and I feel very lucky to have given birth to two amazing, beautiful human beings – and I get to call them ours. It’s so special.
Do the kids have any of your musical genes?
One hundred percent. It’s a little bit ridiculous. During my first pregnancy I was starring in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, so I think that musicality has gone straight to my firstborn. But the football skills have too! We’re doing little kickers at weekends, so I think it will be on
