Alexandra Burke opens up about battling nerves ahead of performing in front of 12,000 people but feeling privileged to be playing someone she admires on-stage
The magic of musical theatre is back with the return of Big Night of Musicals by the National Lottery – and former X Factor star Alexandra Burke, 37, is one of the stars taking part in the musical extravaganza.
Hosted by Jason Manford for the fifth year running at Manchester’s AO arena, the show brings together spectacular performances from the West End and across the UK – celebrating the £1.4 billion invested into arts, culture and heritage via the National Lottery.
Highlights include a world exclusive of Sam Ryder in his new role as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, an energetic performance from Annie featuring Strictly star La Voix and a first look at Alexandra in new musical, I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical.
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Here, the mum-of-two opens up on portraying Chaka Khan on stage, dealing with nerves and the advice her late mum gave her that will always stay with her.
Alexandra how did you feel when asked to perform at The National Lottery’s Big Night Of Musicals?
A little sick! I’ve been in the audience before and remember looking around thinking, ‘Oh my God. There are so many people here.’ But I wanted to be part of this. You put things into the universe and manifest it. That’s what I truly believe. And here we are. It’s a massive privilege, but I knew I’d be a bag of nerves. However, it’s made me remember why I love performing.
And how do you feel about performing in front of 12,000 people?
I don’t think it’s normal to feel OK. My mum always said that if you’re nervous, it means that you care. I take that with me every single time [I perform], and we all want to do our best. When this show airs, our musical will already be playing.
But The National Lottery’s Big Night Of Musicals was recorded before we’d created our show, so it’s our first time [performing it for an audience]. And to close the whole evening is sensational. It’s a special night where you see a little glimpse of magic from each show. Plus, it’s filmed in my favourite city.
Which other performances are you most looking forward to seeing?
Wicked and The Lion King, who open the show. A good friend of mine is in The Lion King, and it was the first musical I saw at 17. It’s also where I saw people of colour on stage for the first time. I looked at them and thought, ‘I think I could do this.’
What does starring in I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical mean to you?
It’s special because Chaka Khan is probably one of the reasons why I have my career. When I was 19, my mum [the late Melissa Bell] persuaded me to audition again for The X Factor, after I’d been rejected at 16, which had been emotionally traumatic. As I’d then missed the solo auditions, she suggested we audition together as a band – called Mother and Daughter.
I was like, ‘Are you having a laugh? You’re from Soul To Soul. You’re a legend.’ But her plan was for her to sound terrible. She was putting her reputation on the line. We’d always sing Ain’t Nobody at weddings, barmitzvahs and birthday parties, so we duetted that in the audition and they said no to mum, but yes to daughter. She said, ‘That’s what I wanted,’ flicked her hair and walked out. So that was my career started!
And how did you feel when you were offered the role of Chaka Khan?
I thought it was a joke. I didn’t think I was capable of it. I was on holiday in Greece, and my manager called to say that Chaka Khan wanted me to come in to potentially be part of her show. The audition was special. It was supposed to be 45 minutes, but turned into three hours.
This is the first time you’ve portrayed a real person. Does that come with pressure?
I put too much pressure on myself, which boils down to me wanting to do it right. I care about every role I’ve played. I don’t take it for granted because I didn’t go to RADA or Sylvia Young. I’m not from that world and I got into it by accident.
When I was first offered The Bodyguard at 23, I turned it down because I didn’t think I could do it justice, or do eight shows a week. I was offered it again when I was 26 and closed that show.
With Chaka Khan, you have real source material to draw from…
That’s true. Chaka said there are no coincidences in the world and that the role was made for me. When I told her I was going to study her so I could understand how she speaks, she said, ‘What for? I’m just really straight.’ I think what she meant was she’s quite to the point, but in the nicest way possible.
In interviews I’ve watched, she’s very matter of fact, she can have fun, and she’s quite relaxed. But she’s very straightforward. I love that about her. She’s a mum, a grandmother, she’s been through it all with 50 years plus in the industry. She doesn’t have time to muck around. She doesn’t have to sugarcoat anything.
Have you met her or only spoken on the phone?
I performed for her in 2013 at the Apollo in New York, at a night where they were honouring people, including her. Mary J Blige was on the bill as well, and I was the only Brit on that stage. It was amazing. Then I bumped into her again at ITV studios. She’s coming to see the show, and I’ll be a bag of nerves. I’ll need to push a lot of emotions to the side.
How did competing on The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing benefit your career?
It taught me that you’ve got to live, eat and breathe what you’re doing. The dedication and discipline you need to have is next level. I’m very disciplined. I don’t take anything for granted. I make sure I count my blessings every day.
How important is the National Lottery’s funding of the arts?
Super important. It can change lives. I don’t think people realise what happens with the money they spend on Lottery tickets. In Manchester alone, £700m has been put back into the arts since 1994. The arts hold a special place in my heart. Theatre is an escape for so many people. Also, my mum always bought tickets, and she’d remind us to get ours.
Why should people embrace theatre and the performing arts?
The one thing that connects people on a universal level, is music. As someone who got into theatre by accident, it’s brought me and my kids so much joy. No two shows are ever the same. It’s a lot for people to spend their money on tickets, but it’s also their escape.
They can turn their phone off and zone out from the real world for a couple of hours. That’s the magic that theatre holds. It brings joy to people and a buzz into every city I’ve performed on tour. I’m grateful to be a small part of that magic.
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