After weeks of being targeted by online bullies, calling her fake and over-emotional, Strictly’s Alexandra Burke has revealed how the abuse has changed her.
Alexandra, who’s dancing in Saturday’s semi-final with partner Gorka Marquez, says when she started in the show she was completely herself.
But now, thanks to criticism from fans, she’s hiding her emotions.
“My joy and my tears were 100 per cent genuine – however much people said they were fake,” she told Radio Times.
“But now I’m so self-conscious, I try not to react at all as people say, ‘oh look here are the fake tears again.’ I feel I’ve got to lock my emotions away.”
Alexandra’s heartbreaking admission comes just days after her fans hit out at the online trolls who were bullying her.
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The star’s online support grew after she was in the dance-off AGAIN last week and got a lot of abuse on the internet, too.
People flocked to her defence saying: “This Alexandra Burke witch hunt is awful.”
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And Strictly professional Oti Mabuse also waded in to give her friend some support.
She wrote: “I love every bit of you so much.”
And she added: “You’ve been nothing but genuine and full of joy. I hope you keep your light shining NO MATTER WHAT!”
Alexandra will take on Gemma and Aljaz, Joe and Katya, and Debbie and Giovanni in Saturday’s semi-final.