Alexandra Burke

Proving the old adage "If at first you don't succeed...," soul singer Alexandra Burke emerged victorious as the winner of the fifth season of The X-Factor, three years after being rejected by the same show.

Born in Islington, London, in 1988, the daughter of ex-Soul 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 raised money for children with leukemia.

In 2005, she auditioned for the second series of The X-Factor, 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 red-hot favorite to win the series.

Thanks to a stunning duet with Beyoncé 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 percent of the vote.

"Hallelujah," her debut single, became the Christmas number one single just one week later, selling 576,000 copies in its first seven days and setting a record as the fastest-selling single by a solo female artist.

Overcome, her debut album, was released in the U.K.

the following October.

Its lead single, "Bad Boys," featuring Flo Rida, topped her country's singles chart.

~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi

Alexandra Burke admits she finds it hard to trust men after being cheated on by her a boyfriend when she was 18.

(BANG) -

Alexandra Burke "can't do" relationships.

The 'Bad Boys' singer - who has been linked to a string of famous men including members of boy band JLS and singer Peter Andre - admits she finds it difficult to trust men after a bad experience in a teenage romance.

She said: "When I was 18 my first boyfriend cheated on me. It was horrible.

"I have severe trust issues which mean I don't do the dating thing anymore. I went on a date a few months ago and realised that I can't do a relationship. I'm scared of getting hurt."

The 21-year-old star doesn't believe she has ever been in love, but thinks she will know when she does meet her 'Mr. Right'.

She explained: "I don't think I've ever been in love and I don't know what it feels like. My sister says you don't know that it just happens."

Despite her fear of getting hurt again, Alexandra is looking for a man and knows exactly what type of man she is looking for.

She said: "I want someone who I can trust, who makes me smile and who stands on their own two feet. I'm not looking for love because when you look you don't find it. I'm sitting back and hoping it finds its way to me."

Alexandra Burke amazed revellers in London when she took to the dancefloor at The Mahiki & Gallo Rose Summer Pop Up - when her own song came on.

(BANG) -

Alexandra Burke loves her own songs.

The 'Bad Boys' singer amazed revellers at The Mahiki & Gallo Rose Summer Pop Up, in London, last night (20.05.10) when she took to the dancefloor with her sister - to show off her moves to her own hit, 'All Night Long'.

One onlooker said: "Alexandra was in really good spirits and seemed to be having a good time. She really threw herself into dancing to her own song - though she seemed a bit unsure of the words!"

Earlier in the evening, the 21-year-old star had expressed her intention to do some dancing as soon as she had the chance.

Alexandra - who left at midnight - told BANG Showbiz: "I really need to get my groove on! But I keep getting pulled in all different directions - it's mad!"

She also boasted she could "drink everyone under the table".

Alexandra also revealed she is hoping to land a sponsorship deal to get free tomato ketchup as she puts it on all of her food.

She said: "Honestly, I eat so much of the stuff they should have me representing them. I eat ketchup with everything - even roast dinners! I'd probably get a lifetime supply if I was a Heinz spokesperson."

Alexandra Burke has visited Haiti and admits the damage to the earthquake ravaged Caribbean country is of ''Biblical proportions''.

(BANG) -

Alexandra Burke says the damage in Haiti is of "Biblical proportions".

The 'Broken Heels' singer is in the earthquake ravaged country's capital Port Au-Prince where she is helping with relief efforts to assist the survivors of the two huge earthquakes which devastated the country last month.

Alexandra visited a Save The Children camp and met with Kiki Joachin, hailed the 'miracle boy' after he was found alive in rubble after being trapped underground for days. He later found out he had lost three of his six brothers and sisters in the quake.

Alexandra said: "Everything people said is true, the damage here is of Biblical proportions. The desperation of so many people has broken my heart.

"Despite going through hell, Kiki is still here smiling. He's beautiful. I didn't know what to say to these people who lost so much.

"His family lost three other kids in the quake. I was really nervous. I broke down in tears when I read about them."

Kiki's picture is on the cover of the Helping Haiti charity single, a cover of R.E.M's 'Everybody Hurts' - which Alexandra sings on.

She added to The Sun newspaper: "Kiki is the bravest person I've ever met. I'm honoured to meet him and to sing on a record that has his picture on the front."

Speaking from the Save The Children Camp, the star urged everybody to buy a copy of the single to raise money for aid relief.

She said: "So many children homeless, so many lives ruined. It's these kids who bear the brunt. But to see them singing and dancing at this centre makes me so proud.

"You see the poverty and destruction in the papers or on the news, but nothing prepares you for this.

"It's like being punched in the stomach. I just hope millions buy the 'Everybody Hurts' single. This is a whole country on its knees."