She recently apologised for stepping out in a real fur coat as she claimed she was unaware of the garment’s history.
But Alexandra Burke has insisted ‘there’s nothing fake’ about her dance journey on Strictly Come Dancing in a new interview with Radio Times.
The 29-year-old has been met with criticism from fans, who have branded the star as ‘fake’ on the BBC entertainment show.
‘There’s nothing fake about that!’: Alexandra Burke, 29, insists her journey on Strictly Come Dancing is genuine in an interview with Radio Times, as she was hit with fan criticism that her tears on the show seemed insincere
The former X Factor winner explains her worries on disapproval from Strictly viewers in the new interview: ‘The thing is, I fear some viewers see that as me not being genuine.
‘I can’t help but sometimes read the negative comments people have written on social media about me being fake and it does upset me.’
Protecting her dedication and passion for the show, she continued: ‘It’s just such a shame that some people can’t see how hard I’m working, how nervous I am, but also how much I’m loving every minute of this experience – there’s nothing fake about that!’
It was last Saturday night that Alexandra was first faced with criticism about her ‘insincere’ tears.
Despite seeming weepy and emotional about the comments she received for her quickstep during the Blackpool Tower special, viewers pointed out that there were no tears on her face.
Alexandra goes on to speak about her good luck charm on the show, a teddy bear named Family: ‘I’ll be keeping a firm grip on my good luck teddy… I take him everywhere with me.’
Sticking up for herself: The same day, Alexandra – who has previously posed naked in support of animal rights for PETA – defended herself after she came under fire for wearing a real fur coat
Dedicated: Alexandra reveals that she is ‘loving every minute’ of her Strictly experience in the latest issue of Radio Times
‘He’s upstairs sitting in Claudia’s pod during the results show; and while I’m performing Billy – one of the amazing wardrobe guys – straps him to his belt so he can watch me. Then as soon as I’ve finished and I’m allowed to bring him on screen, I’m always holding him tight.’
This interview follows the backlash from Strictly viewers as the star was pictured in a real fur coat, four years after her animal rights campaign for PETA in 2013.
Alexandra took to Twitter on Monday to address the issue, confessing: ‘I’ve just learned the sad truth of how a coat I wore recently was made.’
She remorsefully continued: ‘I am an animal lover, as most of you will know I have 4 dogs. I should have asked how it was manufactured and now I know, I will never wear it again. I am really sorry for any hurt or upset I have caused xx.’
‘There’s nothing fake about that!’: Alexandra Burke, 29, insists her journey on Strictly Come Dancing is genuine in an interview with Radio Times, as she was hit with fan criticism
Response: The former X Factor winner, 29 – who has previously posed naked in support of animal rights for PETA – took to Twitter on Monday to admit she didn’t know the history of the garment, confessing: ‘I’ve just learned the sad truth of how a coat I wore recently was made’
Alexandra wore a Canada Goose jacket, featuring a removable North American Coyote fur ruff, when she arrived at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool last week.
Since then, several eagle-eyed viewers have branded the star ‘disgusting’, a ‘fake’ and a ‘hypocrite’ for her choice of outerwear attire.
‘Alexandra Burke is a #fake. She was seen on her VT last night wearing fur on her jacket #CanadaGoose,’ one fan wrote, leading the backlash against the star.
‘Clearly she only did the PETA thing just for PR. #StrictlyComeDancing 2017 #strictly #scd #scd2017 #StrictlyComeDancing.’
‘She’s a hypocrite’: The singer wore a Canada Goose jacket, featuring a removable North American Coyote fur ruff, when she arrived at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool on November 18
‘Nobody will vote for her’: As a result, the Bodyguard leading lady could face losing the support from viewers at home as Twitter was awash with backlash against her attire
Alexandra went completely naked for a People for a Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaign against animal cruelty in October 2013.
The poster was emblazoned with the slogan promoting the cause: ‘I’d rather go naked than wear fur.’
Yet four years after the promotion in November 2017, the West End beauty was spotted sporting her own real fur Canada Goose jacket.
As a result, the Bodyguard leading lady could face losing the support from viewers at home as Twitter was awash with backlash against her attire.
‘Nobody will vote for her’: Eagle-eyed viewers have blasted the dancing contestant as ‘disgusting’, a ‘fake’ and a ‘hypocrite’ for her choice of outerwear attire
Canada Goose explained why they use real Coyote fur ruff detailing on their products on their website.
The company wrote: ‘In the coldest environments, a fur-trimmed hood creates turbulent air, which helps protect the face from frostbite.
‘We recently implemented a traceability program to ensure our fur is sourced from animals that have not been subjected to any unfair practices, willful mistreatment or undue harm, and materials are fully traceable throughout the supply chain.’
Alexandra has been topping the leader board with her near perfect scores each week in the arms of her professional dancer Gorka.
Revealed: The songstress found herself in a shock dance-off with Susan Calman and her partner Kevin Clifton on Sunday’s pre-recorded show
Yet on Saturday, she only secured fourth place when she only scored a seven from judge Craig Revel Horwood.
And the songstress found herself in a shock dance-off with Susan Calman and her partner Kevin Clifton on Sunday’s pre-recorded show.
Fans rushed to social media to defend the star’s dancing technique with gushing compliments about her ability.
Followers wrote: ‘Alexandra is the best dancer ever on Strictly but how did she end doing the dance off? Racist voting?’
‘Why do the audience at home hate Alexandra Burke so much? What exactly has she done wrong? what did I miss?’
‘#AlexandraBurke on dance off? This is the point I get confused with the voting public! She has delivered week after week!’
Alexandra sailed into the Musicals week after she was saved by all four judges.
‘She is the best dancer’: Fans rushed to social media to defend the star’s dancing technique with gushing compliments about her ability