Alexandra Burke speaks out

Listening now.

She has been consistently criticised for being a confident black woman. And has had a pretty hard time despite her obvious talents.
 
I never really GET the idea behind black people in the music industry being told that white people only listen to this kind of music or that they have to have a certain straight hairstyle to appeal to white people. Who are these weird “experts” in PR? I’d love to see their research.
 
Dan Wootton really ought to be STRUNG UP
 
  • Like
Reactions: dUb
Alexandra was ALWAYS the victim of a very insidious type of low-key British racism. We've always know what people saying "I JUST DON'T LIKE HER :)" meant.
 
I never really GET the idea behind black people in the music industry being told that white people only listen to this kind of music or that they have to have a certain straight hairstyle to appeal to white people. Who are these weird “experts” in PR? I’d love to see their research.

A white person listening to music by a black person? :shock: HEAVEN FORBID.
 
Listening now.

She has been consistently criticised for being a confident black woman. And has had a pretty hard time despite her obvious talents.
Completely.

Remember when guest judged on X Factor and was inexplicably torn apart by the media for having an opinion and saying OK.com?
 
A white person listening to music by a black person? :shock: HEAVEN FORBID.
It's true though. When a popstar goes "too urban", white people ask for pop remixes and more "accessible" material. Beyoncé's B'Day anyone? Or post-Formation, for that matter. Mariah post-97?
 
I really saw this when she was on Strictly. It was like she couldn't do right for wrong. If she was emotional she was fake, if she was silent she was stand offish and whilst that can be factors for every human I think it was accentuated on that show as she was a black woman.
 
The treatment of Alexandra Burke over the years has always made me feel very uncomfortable. I know people who dislike her because she's 'gobby' (but can't name a specific instance of her being gobby other than ok.com), I've seen the press go after her for being a victim or fake...
It's hard to have anything other than sympathy for her because, clearly, the more she's tried to please others and fit within the box they've made for her, the more she's criticised.
 
It's hard to have anything other than sympathy for her because, clearly, the more she's tried to please others and fit within the box they've made for her, the more she's criticised.

yep, I really saw that on Strictly, she over did everything, and got more criticized for it. It was uneasy to watch
 
yep, I really saw that on Strictly, she over did everything, and got more criticized for it. It was uneasy to watch
Yeah. I wonder if she genuinely enjoyed it? She clearly wanted people to think she was enjoying it, which is in itself terrible. So scared of what the press will say if she dares to show any negative emotion, she's forced to slap on a smile and do the Stepford Wife routine.
 
]
Yeah. I wonder if she genuinely enjoyed it? She clearly wanted people to think she was enjoying it, which is in itself terrible. So scared of what the press will say if she dares to show any negative emotion, she's forced to slap on a smile and do the Stepford Wife routine.

I think, looking into it, that her dance partner, Gorka, was starting his relationship with Gemma. and that is not anyone's fault, but in terms of dynamics and what Alex was going through at the time..
 
Even in that Instagram video, she’s pre-emptively apologising for herself at every turn. ”I’m not trying to play the victim. I’m not trying to call people out” etc.

I can’t begin to imagine how psychologically battering it must be to have your every move used as a stick to beat you the way she has been.
 
Even in that Instagram video, she’s pre-emptively apologising for herself at every turn. ”I’m not trying to play the victim. I’m not trying to call people out” etc.

I can’t begin to imagine how psychologically battering it must be to have your every move used as a stick to beat you the way she has been.
Yeah, I noticed that. Having to issue a disclaimer before telling a story or sharing an opinion... what a horrible way to live.
 
Even in that Instagram video, she’s pre-emptively apologising for herself at every turn. ”I’m not trying to play the victim. I’m not trying to call people out” etc.

I can’t begin to imagine how psychologically battering it must be to have your every move used as a stick to beat you the way she has been.

Strictly is a personality contest like most reality shows,
I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure most of the times she was clearly the better dancer
 
If Strictly was solely about the dancing she would have won. But it’s not. And it never has been.
 
I never watched X-Factor but she was FANTASTIC on Strictly and I always thought she had a lovely personality, a bit too 'nice' for the business actually, because you could see she was intelligent enough to see what was going on but she would keep a dignified silence. I'm glad she's speaking out and I hope she knows many could see how wonderful she was.
 
The comments on the DM article on this are completely vile, and do nothing but reiterate her point. Apparently she just wants attention, sympathy and is UNGRATEFUL.
 
They should shut that site down :evil:
 
This is really heartbreaking. Jesus. I always thought it was weird that people had it out for her because it didn't level with her actual personality being what it is, but back then I don't think it occured to me that it was a racism thing. She really had her career taken away from her by the media. :(
 
the video has 233k views by the way - she only has 197k followers. so seems like it's found an audience. Anastacia has commented :disco: with a message of support, not abuse
 
My heart goes out to her. I could write something eloquent but I am not sure I can. I was quite tearful watching her video.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom