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Alexandra: I'm like Beyonce, Leona is like Mariah
Updated 11:06am on 30 Dec 2008Alexandra Burke feels there is room for her and Leona Lewis, comparing herself with Beyonce and Lewis with Mariah Carey.
X Factor winner Burke, who sang with Beyonce in the final of the show, said she and Lewis are completely different acts.
Burke told Heat magazine: "At the end of the day, Leona is a fantastic singer and a fantastic person, but people need to realise that we are completely different.
"There is enough room for both of us. Leona is a little Mariah.
"With me, I hope I can show that I'm a little Beyonce."
The singer continued: "Beyonce and I got on really well during the show and I asked if I could support her on her tour and she said yes, so we're trying to make it happen."
Having met Kate Moss while taking part in the show, Burke said the model had some great advice.
She said: "Kate said 'Always put your heels on and don't say 'yes' to every single item of free clothing'."
* Andrew Lloyd Webber said Britain needs to show it will take the Eurovision Song Contest seriously.
Lord Lloyd Webber, who is writing the UK's 2009 entry, told Heat: "I think there's a feeling in eastern Europe that Britain has been taking the p*** out of Eurovision for years, and they slightly resent it.
"Whether or not the new voting system - half jury, half public vote - will stop them voting for each other, we don't know yet.
"I think these countries feel that a good entry from the UK would be very welcome. I feel that."
Speaking about Sir Terry Wogan's departure as the show's commentator, Lord Lloyd Webber added: "Terry's a great mate, but there's a journey we'd have to take to convince Europe that we're being serious.
"He got upset over the voting last year, and he's said things in the past that have upset one or two countries."
Reader views (14)
Thank god for Jeff Buckley, at least people were able to hear how a song should be sung, without all this karaoke style screaming. But of course, cheap trash won the day, that just reflects 21st century society, cheap and tacky, the only thing missing is the plastic pink flamingos in the front garden.
- John, London, 05/01/2009 13:32
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Oh no, the X factor snobs are in force. I think Alex's point is valid. Both singers are extremely talented. Leona is the first female artist to debut at number 1 in the Staes and if rumours are to believed Ms Carey is so enamoured with her that she wants Leona to play her (as there is meant to be a film/theatre play about her life). Whilst it is easy to criticise reality TV stars, these ladies sang live for a number of weeks, which is more than can be said for a large proportion of "stars" most people like nowadays. Also, if comparisons are a bad thing, why is it that Beyonce has been likened to Tina Turner, Diana Ross and other soul legends during her career. A lot of the criticism on this page just goes to show that success breeds envy!
- Mrs S, London, 02/01/2009 14:43
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Don't flatter either yourself or Leona - neither of you have your "own" talent if all you can do is compare yourselves to Beyonce and Mariah Carey.
- Louie, London, 02/01/2009 09:58
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Alexandra is just like Beyonce...only minus the looks, talent and business acumen.
Leona is just ike Mariah Carey...only minus the incredible vocal range, talent and curves.
Love them or hate them, Beyonce and Mariah are genuine superstars. Alexandra is just a second-rate karaoke singer.
- M, London, 02/01/2009 08:59
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Alex say's she's like Beyonce and Leona is like Mariah. I think that statement shows that the both of these X Factor winners don't have really have the X Factor, as they are both highly unoriginal and nothing more than watered down UK versions of American entertainers.
- Ben S, London, 31/12/2008 12:35
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What a pity that neither of them have their own style...
- Helen, London UK, 30/12/2008 19:48
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Although her comments make her sound like an idiot, there is some truth in them. Her and Leona are very different; Leona is simply captivating, Alex is very forgetable and girls like her are "ten a penny".
- Revs, London, 30/12/2008 19:12
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I have 2 words for Alex - Steve What'shisname.
- Andy, London, 30/12/2008 17:02
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Problem with this girl is that she talks too much and may end up in the bin very soon. I hope she will just buckle down and show everybody that she's got the stuff that makes stars shine and talk less.
- Mike, London England, 30/12/2008 16:07
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What a joke!
- Aria, South London, 30/12/2008 14:48
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Shut up Alex and get on with it. First make a name for yourself as a singer before you start going on about being a 'little Beyonce'. There is only one Beyonce, there is only one Leona and there is deffo only one Mariah (thank God). Make your own mark and find your own success. Stop trying to be someone/thing that you're not in your efforts to climb up the ladder on the back of someone else's hard graft. Don't rush it!
- Sharon, London, 30/12/2008 14:47
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Alexandra, a little Beyonce? in her dreams. Come back down to earth, you only just won X factor. it takes a little more to become somebody!
- Bpeps, London, 30/12/2008 14:33
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Alexandra has a good voice, but on the night Leona sang on X Factor it showed who has by far the better range & voice.
Alexrandra is good, but not as great as Leona.
- Scott, London, 30/12/2008 14:22
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Thanks for that, I needed a good laugh.
- Bob, Cheam, 30/12/2008 12:20
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