Alexandra Burke's journey from X Factor to new Paramount+ thriller Curfew

X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke is currently starring in the new Paramount+ thriller series Curfew, but what else has the 36 year old been up to since winning the X-Factor in 2008?

X-Factor champion Alexandra Burke has made a triumphant return to television in the new Paramount+ thriller series Curfew, but what else has the 36 year old been up to since leaving the small screen with Simon Cowell's seal of approval?

In the six-part series based on Jayne Cowie's 2022 novel After Dark, Burke shares the spotlight with Mandip Gill and Sarah Parish.

The plot unfolds in a dystopian future Britain where men are subjected to a 7pm curfew, and the narrative kicks off with the mysterious murder of a woman.

The crime occurs after the curfew hours, implying that the perpetrator must be a woman. However, a detective (portrayed by Parish) is convinced that only a man could have committed the act and embarks on a mission to crack the case, reports the Express.

Burke plays a pivotal role in the story, showcasing her acting skills throughout the spine-chilling series. While some viewers may be witnessing Burke's acting talent for the first time, the singer has enjoyed a sparkling career.

Life after X-Factor

After clinching victory in 2008, the London-born artist established herself in the UK charts - her debut album, Overcome, soared to number one. The album featured memorable hits from her discography like Bad Boys and her rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

Despite her last album dropping in 2018, she still garners over 600k monthly listeners on Spotify.

Apart from her successful music career, Burke has made quite a name for herself on the West End stage. Back in 2014, she dazzled audiences in The Bodyguard musical, impressing as Rachel Marron and continued touring until 2019.

The X Factor star also shone in Sister Act the Musical and strutted her stuff on Strictly Come Dancing, where, despite her high scores, the glitterball trophy eluded her.

Away from the footlights, Burke turned heads with her role in the 2022 film Pretty Red Dress, earning critical acclaim for her powerful acting chops.

Viral 'elephant' interview

Burke became an internet sensation but not just for her vocal prowess. Before dropping her second studio album, she hilariously claimed credit for introducing the phrase 'elephant in the room' to Brits during a Daybreak sit-down.

She reflected on the origin of her 2012 single Elephant: "It's a metaphor. I was going through a situation last year when I was dating someone and it just wasn't going according to plan."

"Nobody wanted to talk about it and there was an elephant in the room."

"I've never heard of the saying before until I did my writing camp for the album, it's a very American saying so I thought, why not be the first person to bring it over there and make it into a song?".

The ambitious claim propelled the clip to viral status and even now, more than a decade later, the moment is still hailed as a classic bit of British pop culture online.

Personal life

Burke's personal life has often been the chatter among fans, and recently she dropped the news that her partner of three years popped the question, hinting that wedding bells might soon be in her future.

Irish football goalie Darren Randolph and Burke have been an item since 2021, sparking rumours amongst fans that they might have already waltzed down the aisle in secret. However, Instagram was abuzz this September as the couple declared they're set to wed.

They treated followers to snapshots filled with love of their unforgettable engagement day alongside a dreamy clip of the location where Darren popped the question.

In a heartfelt message attached to their post, Alexandra expressed: "Here's to us forever! I can't believe I get to marry my best friend. Bring on the Burke-Randolph wedding. I can't wait to call you my husband."