Alex Parks, the 19-year-old from Cornwall, blew us away with her performances on Fame Academy. Now she has realised her dream by winning a London flat and a recording contract. Her debut album, Introduction, is out now.
What were your best and worst moments in the academy?
The worst moments were probably being so bored, thinking too much and having too much time. Missing people, too. The best moments were the trips out – going to the Top Of The Pops studio and Covent Garden. And, also, in some ways, preparing for the show and being able to sing every day - that was the bit I really looked forward to, that's why I was there.
Your dad put you forward for Fame Academy – do you think that was a good idea?
I wouldn't have done it myself. To be honest, I didn't think it would suit me, I didn't think it would cater for someone like me, but in the end it did. I didn't really think about it, you do just get swept away by it all without thinking how famous you'll be and how much exposure you'll get.
In Fame Academy you had support and coaching. Do you worry about being in the outside world – that people are waiting for you to trip up?
That's what it feels like – and I will fall. Because everyone does, everyone does something wrong and not every record is going to be a success – so that time will come. I do feel the pressure because I'm on my own now and I haven't got that safety net of Fame Academy. And I'm competing with people that I've heard since I was four, like Kylie. It's mad - I'm in the chart with Britney and Kylie – it's insane to think I'm doing that. So it is down to me, I've got to work my arse off and I've got a lot to prove after Fame Academy.
How have you been coping with the promotional side of having an album out, the TV and radio interviews? It's very different from what you were doing before.
You get nervous, but it's easier when there are no cameras! It's difficult having cameras in your face all the time. You do get nervous because you need to put yourself across the way you want to be perceived, but also be true to yourself. And it's hard, it's hard work, all the promoting and interviews, covering the same stuff over and over and staying with it.
Do you think that reality TV shows are losing credibility?
I think Fame Academy gained credibility this year because of some of the people who took part – I think it surprised people. Reality shows are so successful, there's something about them that people love, so they'll always have the viewing figures. As far as the music ones are concerned, I think viewers will get more fussy – they won't have as much support if they keep going the way they're going.
You've been very open about being gay. What kind of reactions have you had? Have they been positive?
Yes, they have. I think it's been a made a thing of, obviously, but I think for me to have won Fame Academy on the BBC at 6 o'clock on a Saturday evening, the kind of viewers you get aren't the kind of people you'd expect to be OK with it. I don't think it affected the result and I think it's kind of a breakthrough. I'm proud of myself for having done it.
So what did you think of the Madonna-Britney kiss?
I don't think they were taking the mickey out of gay people. I think it was probably a publicity thing. Or they might really want to have sex!
Do you miss your family?
I'm settling in really well, but that doesn't mean I don't miss home. I'm 19 now and I'm at a point where I'm still young and I'm starting my life. I need to stand on my own two feet. I know my family will always be there and I'll always be there for them. I do miss them a lot - it is weird acclimatising to London.
