Tuesday 11 June 2013

Alexandra Burke stuns as the only Brit performing at Apollo Theater gala following record label split

Now THAT's how to bounce back: Alexandra Burke stuns as the only Brit performing at Apollo Theater gala following record label split

Last week it was revealed she has parted ways with her record company.
But Alexandra Burke has now bounced back with spectacular style thanks to her performance at Monday night's Apollo Theater Spring Gala Concert in New York.
The pop star was the only Brit to perform at the iconic venue for the special star studded bash.
Down but not out: Alexandra Burke shows off her vocal skills on stage during Monday night's Apollo Theater Spring Gala Concert, just a week after it was revealed she's parted ways with her record label
Down but not out: Alexandra Burke shows off her vocal skills on stage during Monday night's Apollo Theater Spring Gala Concert, just a week after it was revealed she's parted ways with her record label
And it seemed like any record label worries were well and truly behind her as she took to the stage.
Last week rumours claimed Alexandra had been dropped by her label, but a source soon cleared up the details, saying it's the case of 'the label being unhappy with Alexandra and Alexandra was unhappy with the label. There didn't seem any point in continuing.'
The 24-year-old singer, who has described herself as 'high-maintenance as an artist' won the 2008 series of the hit ITV show - split from record company RCA last month.
She is trying to re-invent herself in the US as an R&B singer but has yet to land a new deal.
Making her mark: Rumours suggested she had been dropped, but it's since been revealed she too was unhappy with the label so they both decided it wasn't working
Making her mark: Rumours suggested she had been dropped, but it's since been revealed she too was unhappy with the label so they both decided it wasn't working
Although that certainly wouldn't have bothered her on Monday night when she performed in front of guests including Sarah Jessica Parker and Chaka Khan.
And she even performed alongside Jennifer Holliday and Deborah Cox to wow the crowds during the evening.
Ahead of the bash, the excitable star wrote on Twitter: 'Still can't believe my luck... Can't believe I'm apart of this line-up. Lil old me from london...wowza,' before she added: 'This is soooo overwhelming !! I'm unsure if this is real... I'm so thankful for this moment today...'
Burke stunned when she first arrived, turning up in a floorlength frock which showed off her back.
She wore her locks down and in big waves to match her big voice.
And it was just as big a performance as she then rocked out on stage in a lace mini-dress with tights and heeled ankle boots.
What's she doing there: Alexandra Burke managed to blag her way on stage alongside Jennifer Holliday and Deborah
She's doing well: Alexandra Burke managed to blag her way on stage alongside Jennifer Holliday and Deborah Cox during the concert
Hosted by Wayne Brady, the Apollo Theater Spring Gala was a special benefit concert to celebrate the induction of Chaka Khan into the Apollo Hall Of Fame.
Other performers included Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige and Patti LaBelle.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that was established to honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists, as well as emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media.
It is an iconic venue in the Big Apple, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was the home of Showtime at the Apollo, a nationally syndicated television variety show consisting of new talent.
Darling in dots: Sarah Jessica Parker made a statement with her polka-dotted dress as she attended the Apollo Spring Gala 2013 held at the Apollo Theater in New York City on Monday
Darling in dots: Sarah Jessica Parker made a statement with her polka-dotted dress as she attended the Apollo Spring Gala 2013 held at the Apollo Theater in New York City on Monday
Impressed, SJP? Sarah Jessica Parker watched the show as she made a statement with her polka-dotted dress
And Alexandra is in good company as it's credited as helping launch the careers of artists such as Mariah Carey, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald.
Last week it emerged that former X Factor winner Alexandra has parted ways with her record label - just five years after storming to victory on the talent contest.
Despite the star's initial success, when she was signed to Simon Cowell's Syco record label and released a series of chart-topping singles in the wake of her X Factor victory, her latest album has struggled to sell. 
Lady of the night: Chaka Khan was to be induced into Apollo's Hall Of Fame
Lady of the night: Chaka Khan was to be induced into Apollo's Hall Of Fame
Brights: Deborah Cox, left, and Soledad O'Brien, right, lit up the carpet in vibrant dresses
Brights: Deborah Cox, left, and Soledad O'Brien, right, lit up the carpet in vibrant dresses
Brights: Deborah Cox, left, and Soledad O'Brien, right, lit up the carpet in vibrant dresses
Heartbreak On Hold sold just 6,731 copies in the first week of its release in June last year, and peaked at number eighteen in the UK charts.
Her last single, Let It Go, only managed to get to number 33 in both the UK singles chart and UK digital chart, with download sales of just 11,586. In its second week in singles chart, it fell to number 74, selling only 4,461 copies.
It is in stark contrast to the success she enjoyed earlier in her career. After winning the X Factor, the singer released her debut single, Hallelujah, which still holds the record for most amount of sales over 24 hours, selling 105,000 in just one day.
Captain's log: Sarah was in charge of proceedings as she took to the stage at the thrilling event
Captain's log: Sarah was in charge of proceedings as she took to the stage at the thrilling event
That's entertainment: Deborah Cox gave the crowd what they wanted with an energetic performance
That's entertainment: Deborah Cox gave the crowd what they wanted with an energetic performance
The song also became the top-selling single of 2008 and reached the top of the charts. US record executive Clive Davis, who helped turn Whitney Houston into a global star, told Alexandra Burke she was 'the future of pop music' after they met in 2009.
Burke went on to release her debut album, Overcome, in 2009, which debuted at number one on the UK album charts and had four number-one singles.
However, in 2011, she left Syco to sign a new record deal with RCA, where was working with the team that helped make Beyoncé and Rihanna into international stars.  
Talent show curse: The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke in 2008
Talent show curse: The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke in 2008
Cheryl Cole and Alexandra Burke on The X Factor in December 2008
Cheryl Cole and Alexandra Burke on The X Factor in December 2008
It was hoped that she would repeat the success of another former X Factor winner, Leona Lewis, who become the first British woman in 20 years to top the Billboard chart in the US with her song Bleeding Love.
However, after a meeting with record executives at RCA earlier this  year, it was decided to release the star, with sources claiming she wanted to re-invent herself as an R&B singer, rather than remain as a pop singer.
Getting ready: Alexandra was earlier seen in rehearsals ahead of the big gig to ensure she would be performance ready
Getting ready: Alexandra was earlier seen in rehearsals ahead of the big gig to ensure she would be performance ready
An RCA spokesman said: 'We were in negotiations with Alexandra over continuing her relationship with RCA. However, the two sides had differing views over the best creative path for Alexandra to take. As a result, both sides have parted amicably.'
Miss Burke has now signed a new management deal with Kevin Liles, the former president of Def Jam records, and who launched the careers of Jay-Z and Kanye West. She is now hoping to release her third album later this year, although it is understood that a deal with a record company has not yet been signed.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339407/Alexandra-Burke-stuns-Brit-performing-Apollo-Theater-gala-following-record-label-split.html#ixzz2VwI3RCy8
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