Singer Alexandra Burke has said it is a “privilege” to play Chaka Khan and tell her “inspiring” life story, which she says “still resonates”.
Burke, 37, who rose to fame after winning The X Factor in 2008, said playing the Queen of Funk in a new biographical musical is “the hardest role I think I’ll ever do”.
Burke leads I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical, depicting the the award-winning singer-songwriter’s journey to stardom, exploring her passion for civil rights, fight against a toxic music industry, battle with addiction and the pressures she faced as a working mother.
Speaking to the Press Association at a preview of the show, Burke expressed her excitement about her latest theatre role, saying she “still can’t believe” she was cast as Khan.
Burke said: “It is a pinch-me moment, full stop, and it is a privilege to be able to play her. I feel really, really lucky and really blessed.”
The singer is a long-time fan of Khan’s music and auditioned for The X Factor with one of her songs.
Burke said Khan “made the call and asked me to come in” during the audition process but she “had to be convinced” to try out for the role due to nerves and “struggling with self-belief”.
“I’ve been in… the music industry for 18 years, in theatre over 10 years, but I never take these moments for granted and I never get complacent,” she told PA.
The chart-topper said Khan’s story “still resonates”, adding that the musical will “inspire and move people” while leaving audiences shocked by her life experiences.
Burke continued: “For me personally, as a black woman within the music industry, there’s so many challenges that I’ve had to face, and things that I’ve had to learn to kind of brush under the carpet or just accept as a black woman and move on.
“Her story shows you that you can go through things and you can come out the other side.
“But you have to stick up for yourself, you have to do what’s right for you and have good people around you.”
Burke revealed how “helpful” Khan was during rehearsals and, when asked if the Grammy-winner gave her any advice, she told PA: “I remember when I spoke to Shaka.
“She said, ‘Open your mouth and sing, don’t even care what you look like – you could just look ugly, just sing the tune, love’. So that’s what I’m going to do.”
Khan, born Yvette Marie Stevens, is an American singer who rose to fame in funk band Rufus in the 1970s, before launching her successful solo career.
The 73-year-old has had one UK number one single and four top 10 tracks, and won 11 Grammy Awards in her decades-long career – and is best known for hits such as I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody and Higher Love.
Burke has forged a successful music and theatre career since winning The X Factor after duetting with Beyonce, and has had three number one UK singles and a chart-topping album.
She has also made her mark on the West End stage and starred in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chess, Chicago and the UK tour of The Addams Family.
I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical opened at the Peacock Theatre in London earlier this year, and the production will be playing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre for a limited summer run from July 22 to September 27.