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Alexa went to school in Yateley
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Young R&B star into UK Top 40 singles chart

December 10, 2010

A popstar from Blackwater broke into the UK Top 40 singles chart last Sunday.

Former Yateley resident and professional singer, Alexa Goddard, 21, entered the charts at number 26 with her version of Turn My Swag On by US artist Keri Hilson.

Alexa, who has been singing professionally since the age of 14 and still lives with her parents in Blackwater, heralded the achievement as one of the most important moments in her career and life, thanking her family, friends and fans.

She said: “It is just surreal. It literally does feel like I am in a dream and that everything has become overwhelming.

“I want to say the biggest thank you to everyone that downloaded the song and has followed me on YouTube and Twitter. If it was not for you guys, I would not be anywhere near where I am right now.”

A former Yateley School pupil, Alexa has been passionate about singing and performing since she was a child.

In 2007, she got one of her big breaks when she was scouted to join the Trans Siberian Orchestra, an American rock ensemble, who she joined for their tour of the USA and Canada.

Her ascent took off after she signed with Camberley-based label Idle Idol Records under manager Stewart McClean.

Together the two set up a YouTube channel where videos of Alexa’s performances of R’n’B and hip-hop songs were posted and soon began to gather attention.

After, she released her first single, a cover of the song Dynamite by Taio Cruz in October. This was followed by her version of Willow Smith’s Whip My Hair the following month, with both songs going on sale via the iTunes website.

After receiving over a million views on her YouTube channel, Alexa released Get My Swag On and within 24 hours the song had reached third place in the iTunes R&B chart, and 36 in the main chart.

The song now sits at number two on the site’s R&B chart having beaten off competition from established artists such as Usher and Alicia Keys.

Mr McClean, 26, said that breaking into the charts had been down to months of hard work and that he and Alexa were still trying to get their heads around the situation.

He said: “We made a decision last week to not follow the sales and decided to tune in on Sunday along with everyone else to find out whether we had made it. I am just so happy for Alexa.

“This result is testament to the hard work we have put in and just shows that you do not need a multi-million pound budget to be recognised.”

Fans following Alexa’s success via her Twitter account responded to the news of her reaching the top 30 with messages of congratulations

Following her chart success, Alexa says she is keen to keep her feet on the ground and focus on bringing out her own album in the new year.

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