Alexandra Burke's Shocking Rise to Fame: From X-Factor to Viral Disaster

Since bursting onto the scene with her powerful vocals on the X-Factor, Alexandra Burke has been a name to remember. The British singer won the fifth series of the show in 2008 and has since diversified her portfolio with various projects in the entertainment industry.

Burke's latest venture is in the Paramount+ thriller Curfew, where she joins an impressive ensemble cast in a world where a curfew is implemented in response to a mysterious threat. However, as her career has shown, Burke's path to stardom has not been without its setbacks and viral controversies.

A now infamous interview with GMTV in 2009 will forever be etched in the minds of fans, where Burke broke down in tears when questioned about her song 'Elephant'. While discussing her collaboration with rapper RedOne, Burke was met with seemingly insensitive and blunt questioning from presenter Ben Shephard about her record sales and album chart performance.

As the interview went on, Burke became increasingly uncomfortable and eventually could not contain her emotions. This heated debate quickly went viral and fueled speculation around Burke's personal life and the decline of her short-term success in the music industry.

It has been several years since Burke's highly publicized tears on GMTV, and the singer has made significant efforts to carve a name for herself in the industry beyond her X-Factor title. Burke embarked on various music projects, collaborating with prominent artists in the industry and releasing multiple chart-topping singles.

Few may be aware that Burke's transition into television wasn't always the major success it now appears to be. Burke initially ventured into acting, starting with smaller theatre productions and contributing vocals to a Disney musical. After garnering initial success on X-Factor, Burke earned a major role in the musical production of The Bodyguard, which brought the spotlight back onto her career.

Being featured in an array of stage plays marked the next phase of Burke's career. Acting credits have also included notable appearances on stage in musicals such as 'Sister Act', in which Burke starred as lead, Deloris Van Cartier. Her spectacular performances seemed to prove the artist's skills went far beyond the music scene.

A pivotal aspect of the singer's recent endeavors includes gracing TV screens once again. With a recently announced return to the public sphere through her breakout casting as a co-lead in Paramount's thriller series, Curfew - coming to UK screens earlier this year - Burke finally has found relevance once more. With Curfew set to reach more screens worldwide as it launches on Paramount+, her high calibre acting performances will help reassert Burke's status as a talented force in both UK television and the thriving music industry.