Alexandra Burke will always love Bodyguard role at Milton Keynes Theatre

You might think that former winner of The X Factor Alexandra Burke would not be lacking in confidence.
Alexandra Burke in a scene from the musical of The BodyguardAlexandra Burke in a scene from the musical of The Bodyguard
Alexandra Burke in a scene from the musical of The Bodyguard

However throughout our chat to promote her appearance in The Bodyguard coming to Milton Keynes, the 27-year-old is quite softly spoken. We are used to pop stars with enormous egos and diva like attitudes, but if anything Burke is the antithesis of this.

Her lack of confidence is something she admits held her back from playing the part a lot earlier.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alexandra said: “I was approached about playing this part a little while ago but didn’t think I had the confidence to do it justice.

“It was something I wanted to do and when I was asked again, I jumped at the chance.

“It is a big role to take on, the Rachel Marron part but I chose to go my own path with it rather than be influenced by Whitney Houston.”

It tells the story of former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

The romantic thriller based on the film of the same name features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

Alexandra said: “It is going really well the tour so far. The responses from all of the different theatres we have been to has been fantastic.

“The show is wonderful and am having a great time and this has been my first tour.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She seems to be loving so much that she has recently signed up to appear as the lead role in Sister Act which will be touring the UK throughout 2016 and 2017.

Alexandra said: “I was just asked if I wanted to take part in it. Jamie Wilson, one of the producers had seen me in The Bodyguard and I just had to say yes.

“There is a real lack of roles for black women out there. I think it is important that when these opportunities present themselves.then I think we should grab them with both hands.”

Indeed her passion and commitment to acting roles might mean that she is putting her music career on the back burner.

But not a bit of it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alexandra said: “They are two very different things for me and while I would love to do certain things acting wise, my fans are very supportive and I won’t be leaving music behind.”

Talk of music inevitably turns to when she was on The X Factor and for some artists, winning the trophy has not always turned out positively.

Alexandra said: “I think when I won the show, I thought the hard work begins now. I didn’t think I had made it just because I had won it,

“I would encourage any aspirational artists to give something like The Voice or The X Factor because it gives you a platform.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“At the same time, it takes a lot of your life up. Working on music and your friends and personal life has to take a step back a bit.

“I was lucky in that I had my mum who was in Soul II Soul who was able to guide me through some of the pitfalls that could happen.”

The Bodyguard runs at Milton Keynes from Tuesday March 12 to Saturday April 23.

Tickets for the show are available from £18.50 and can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.