Alexandra Burke emotional as reveals reason she hasn't shared baby’s name or gender
Watch: Alexandra Burke explains reason for not revealing baby's name and gender
Alexandra Burke has revealed the reason she hasn’t revealed her baby’s name and gender.
The former X Factor star, who won the singing competition in 2008, broke down in tears during an appearance on Monday's episode of Loose Women as she explained how her fame has influenced her decisions since becoming a mum in June.
Read more: Alexandra Burke announces birth of first child
“I’ve never really spoken about this,” she said, when asked why she has yet to reveal the name and gender of her child with West Ham footballer Darren Randolph.
“Obviously, I come from X Factor and that’s a public show," Burke continued. "I’m very grateful for the platform that’s made me who I am today. I hate getting emotional talking about this. In the process of me being who I am – I asked for all this but my family never.”
The programme's hosts, Ruth Langsford, Janet Street Porter, Jane Moore and Katie Piper, reassured Burke that she made the right choice.
"It's the right decision," said Piper, as the live audience applauded in agreement.
“It just… the impact on them is hard,” Burke said.
Burke explained that the privacy of her friends and family was also impacted after she appeared on X Factor, a decision that she had made to go on the show – not them.
"I don’t want to hurt anyone in the process of who I am and the life that I’ve chosen," she shared. “I want to protect the baby as much as I can and let the baby make its own decision.”
Read more: Alexandra Burke speaks out on the racism she's faced in the music industry
Like almost every new parent, Burke acknowledged that her entire life has changed since becoming a mum. But, despite the new lifestyle and lack of sleep, she says she's the happiest she's ever been.
“Sleep is a thing of the past, but change in such a brilliant way," she explained.
"I’ve never felt so content in my life, I’ve never known love like this before. I'm the happiest I've ever been."
Burke reflected on her late mother Melissa Bell, who passed in 2017 following a battle with diabetes mellitus, saying that she thinks her mum would be ‘really proud’ of her.
Read more: Alexandra Burke praised for wearing breast pump at Notting Hill Carnival
“What they went through, what they sacrificed for you to have your education, clothes on your back, food on the table… Things get put into perspective.”
“It makes me really emotional because my mum always used to say to me, “You’ll never know unconditional love until you have a baby”.
“I think she’d be really proud, my goodness, she always wanted to see me have kids,” she revealed. “I’m just doing everything in my power to make my family proud.”
