Alexandra Burke: ‘Gay rights are so important to me’
X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has revealed her strong support for gay rights.
The singer, who performed at Brighton Pride on Saturday, said that her best friends are gay and that she “absolutely” supports calls for marriage equality.
Speaking to PinkNews.co.uk and Gaydar Radio, she said: “Oh my God, [gay rights are] so important. When I got told I was going to be here performing, headlining, at Brighton and Manchester, I was on top of the world. And all my best friends are gay for crying out loud.
“I hate it when people have things against gay people because at the end of the day, we’re all humans. Sorry to say it like this but this is the way it is – we all s**t the same way, we all got blood running through our veins the same way, we’re all humans, we all have feelings, so don’t judge anyone at all.”
On the calls to allow gay couples to marry, she said: “Absolutely. Absolutely. I’m behind it 10,000 per cent.”
Burke, who is set to play Manchester Pride, also revealed that Saturday’s event was her first Pride festival.
She said: “It was my first Pride full stop. So I couldn’t have started in a better place! I love coming to Brighton, especially when I have time off as well.
“The plan today was to get here early enough to walk along the pier. But no, that never happened. We got here an hour before stage time. But it was an amazing crowd. I came off stage feeling like a million dollars so I really have to thank that audience out there because they were amazing.”
The star, who said she’d had a “crazy” summer of gigs and recording, said her new tracks were “still very much upbeat”, with up-tempo songs and ballads.
“I think – I hope – people will be pleasantly surprised,” she added.
