Alexandra Burke X Factor Audition. A star is born

Unbelievably X Factor winner Alexandra Burke didn't win the first series of X Factor that she entered. She was kicked out before she had even left Louis Walsh's house first time around.

Alexandra eventually won Series Five but originally she had auditioned at the age of just 15 back in 2005. She got down to the Final Seven at that time and was mentored by Louis Walsh. Louis sent her home, leaving Alexandra devastated and very tearful. It took 3 years for Alexandra to find the strength to try again. In those three years, it's obvious that she worked really hard to better her voice and her performances. She looks so much more mature and composed.

Watch Alexandra Burke's audition for X Factor (for the series she eventually won), singing Whitney Houston's Saving All My Love For You:




Pretty great huh? Sadly, it also reminded me of what an amazing performer Whitney Houston used to be. 


Judges comments

Louis Walsh was clearly blown away, as were all the judges. "World class" he said, "like a demon-now. She's fantastic".

Poor Alexandra just breaks down with relief crying 'this means so much". Can you imagine after three years of build up to this single moment?

Cheryl Cole said "you were born to sing and are absolutely gorgeous". Even old Simon Cowell said "Louis made one of the most stupid decisions, how rare it is to find a singer like you in this country. This is the best audition I've heard today and you know what, we haven't even heard the best of you by a mile."

Louis Walsh "She's in a good space now"

Simon Cowell: "I love her. I can't believe that we nearly lost a talent like Alexandra. Thank god she came back."

Danni Minogue: My favorite of the day

Cheryl Cole: she's got something special


What's that music?

By the way, in case you are wondering the piano music playing at the start of this video clip. You also hear it when Louis Walsh gives his feedback and later on over Simon's spiel too. This moving piano piece is called "Glasgow Love Theme" by Craig Armstrong.  It featured in the movie "Love Actually" when Keira Knightley's character is shown at her video, captured in home movie footage by that cute bloke off This Life. Brings a tear to my eye every time I see it. You can watch a great pianist on YouTube performing Glasgow Love Theme here.

The music right at the end is "Against All Odds" sung by Mariah Carey. Originally sung by Phil Collins.

I kinda like this audition process (now they do the auditions live in front of a big audience). Although this is very similar to the American Idol early rounds, it has a privacy and nice interplays between all the judges. And also then you see the difference in terms of stepping up a level from merely singing in a small room to when the contestants have to face the screaming public.

More X Factor news and Alexandra Burke performances, updates and gossip to come so watch this space.