Alexandra Burke stands by mum Melissa for rejecting Stevie Wonder record deal on her behalf aged 12
Alexandra Burke has detailed the time Stevie Wonder offered her a record deal at the age of 12 – which her late mum Melissa Bell surprisingly rejected.
The singer, 33, exclusively told MailOnline she now appreciates that the Soul II Soul band member compelled her to enjoy her childhood away from the spotlight.
Admitting she ‘didn’t really take it in’ at the time, Alexandra revealed she now appreciates that the Isn’t She Lovely hitmaker saw something in her and stands by Melissa for her decision.
Shock! Alexandra Burke has detailed the time Stevie Wonder offered her a record deal at the age of 12 – which her late mum Melissa Bell (pictured) surprisingly rejected
She said: ‘It was such an experience and at 12, you don’t really take it in. Now at 33, I realise the meaning of it that he saw something in me.
‘My mum made the right decision. She always believed kids should be kids, to be able to go to school, be with your friends at the cinema and theme park.
‘And not to ever take that from a child because you won’t get those years back.’
‘I’d gotten a taste of the industry via my mum. I saw her go through ups and downs so I kind of got a talking to, to allow me to develop thick skin.’
Wow! Describing Stevie as the ‘kindest person’ she has ever met, Alexandra also revealed he once picked up her mum from their house in Islington and went on to give ‘the biggest donation’ to their church (pictured in 2019)
The Back To Life songstress passed away in 2017 aged 53 after a nine-year battle with kidney failure, which was brought on by diabetes.
Describing Stevie as the ‘kindest person’ she has ever met, Alexandra also revealed he once picked up her mum from their house in Islington and went on to give ‘the biggest donation’ to their church.
Despite the missed opportunity, the songwriter went on to ink her first deal with Simon Cowell’s Syco Music when she was crowned The X Factor winner in 2008.
She revealed her first album Overcome – which scored her six top ten hits on the UK Singles Chart – received the golden seal of approval from none other than Beyoncé who joined her for a studio session in LA.
Throwback: ‘It was such an experience and at 12, you don’t really take it in. Now at 33, I realise the meaning of it that he saw something in me’ (pictured in 2000)
The Broken Heels songstress said: She was listening to the tracks and giving her advice and feedback on some of the songs I’d been recording. She liked it – it was very positive.’
Having performed alongside the vocal powerhouse during her time on the ITV talent show, Alexandra went on to add that Queen Bey invites her for chats in her backstage dressing room when she’s performing in London.
She said: ‘The last time I saw Beyoncé was when she was here for the On The Run II joint tour with Jay Z [in 2018].
‘She’s got kids now and she’s in a different place to when I first ever met her. The perfect example and role model to young girls out there.’
Dream team: She revealed her first album Overcome – which scored her six top ten hits on the UK Singles Chart – received the golden seal of approval from none other than Beyoncé who joined her for a studio session in LA (pictured in 2008)
Revealing to MailOnline she’s in a ‘really happy place’ with ‘lovely guy’ Darren Randolph, Alexandra was later spotted emerging from a swanky London hotel with the West Ham player.
Thought to have been dating since May, it was recently reported that Alexandra had been helping the athlete decorate his home and is said to have hired a chef to cook them a meal for his 34th birthday.
Alexandra is working alongside The National Lottery on its 27th anniversary to unveil a new campaign which calls on communities to make positive changes happen.
The Bad Boys hitmaker is hoping to raise awareness about the £30 million a week that the service donates to good causes, including Help On Your Doorstep which helps to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable and isolated Islington residents.
Emerging: Revealing she’s in a ‘really happy place’ with ‘lovely guy’ Darren Randolph, Alexandra was later spotted emerging from a swanky London hotel with the West Ham player
Loved-up: It was recently reported that Alexandra had been helping the athlete decorate his home and is said to have hired a chef to cook them a meal for his 34th birthday
All-smiles: With each beaming from ear-to-ear, it was clear that the pair were completely smitten with one another
Trendy: Sporting a grey coat with an unmissable fur hood, Darren and Alexandra soon hopped into the back of a taxi where they sped off into the city
She explained: ‘You can have an organisation, go online to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and apply for funding.
‘With the year we’ve all experienced, it’s been difficult and this will go a long way to a lot of communities.’
Taking to London’s Leicester Square on Thursday, the Brit Award nominee unveiled one of four anamorphic art installations in celebration of funds raised for the Arts, Sport, Community and Heritage.
She said of the sculpture, entitled Change, which took over 500 hours to produce: ‘It’s made of 636 lottery balls which represent 636,000 beneficiaries that [The National Lottery] have helped towards.
‘They give a lot of help that people don’t really know about and that’s why I’m here to spread the word and help encourage people to talk.’
Force for good: Alexandra is working alongside The National Lottery on its 27th anniversary to unveil a new campaign which calls on communities to make positive changes happen (pictured on Thursday)
