Fleur East has been a staple on TV screens since she burst onto our screens on The X Factor in 2014.
Fleur, 35, has gone from strength to strength in her career as she keeps her fingers in the music and media. She also has participated in several TV shows, making her a recognisable face in showbiz.
Making her big break in music, Fleur is a talented singer, actor, dancer and presenter. She’s just made her debut on Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two.
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But it’s not always been easy for Fleur as the former Strictly star has also suffered tragic loss of a family member in her life. Daily Star has looked into her life and career.
X Factor debut
(Image: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)
Fleur East was born on October 29, 1987 and it was clear early on that she had a passion for music. She set aside her musical aspirations early on, however, opting to study journalism and contemporary history at Queen Mary University of London.
Despite this, Fleur kept coming back to music and in 2005, East made her first appearance on The X Factor as part of the girl group Addictiv Ladies. Competing in the second series of the show, Fleur’s journey ended early as the group was eliminated in the first week of the show.
(Image: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)
Losing out to fan favourite Chico Slimani, Addictiv Ladies soon parted ways and Fleur went solo. Throughout the 2000s, East was introduced into various genres and producers – managing to bag a spot on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge sessions.
Through working with drum-and-bass producer DJ Fresh, she was able to promote herself across various festivals including V Festival and T4 on the Beach. Opting to go solo once again, she released a slew of singles working with other artists – with varying degrees of success.
X Factor return
(Image: PA)
It was in 2014 when Fleur made the decision to return to the X Factor, and immediately made a strong impression on the judges. Fleur was taken on by judge Simon Cowell, who saw potential in the then 25-year-old.
Making it to the live shows, Fleur progressed through the programme without making big waves. But in her semi-final performance, Fleur performed “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars – a track that was unreleased in the UK at the time.
By performing the track, Fleur was propelled into the limelight and made a favourite to win the show. She eventually finished in second place, behind eventual winner Ben Haenow.
Despite only finishing second, Simon Cowell offered Fleur a record deal with his label Syco. Her debut single “Sax” became a hit across the UK and Europe, reaching No. 3 in the charts. After three years, Fleur and Syco mutually parted ways.
Tragic loss
Fleur sadly lost her dad Malcom back in 2020.
Sharing snaps of her dad in a sweet tribute, she wrote: “I will forever continue to make you proud. Daddy East, Max, the ultimate G! What a man you were! So young at heart, always living in the moment! Swagger in abundance and such an unforgettable presence. Loved by so many! You were always my biggest fan! Cheering me on until the end.
Fleur added: “You taught me and Keshia to be confident and to always chase our dreams. I will forever continue to make you proud. I’m so happy you saw us achieve so much. Every note I sing, every song I write and everything I do, will be for you. This album is for you Dad.”
She said losing him was the “hardest thing she’s ever experienced” and admitted she took part in Strictly because of him. The presenter also explained that
Reality show stardom
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
In the wake of her X Factor success, Fleur took part in a number of reality shows, including I’m A Celebrity in 2018. Fleur once again became a fan favourite, marginally missing on the final and finishing in fourth place on December 8.
Following her stint in the jungle, East managed to bag a role hosting the breakfast show on Hits Radio, together with James Barr and Greg Burns. Fleur continued to release new music throughout 2019 – to varying degrees of success.
In 2022, Fleur was announced to be taking part in the twentieth season of the BBC dancing show Strictly Come Dancing. She was paired with dancer Vito Coppola and initially struggled in the competition – finding herself in the dance off four times.
However, despite her slow burn – Fleur came back with a bang and was able to make it to the final of the show and finished as a runner up, behind eventual winner Hamza Yassin. Following this, Fleur was announced as the new host of Strictly’s side show It Takes Two. She made her debut on the show on Monday (September 25).
Love life
(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
During this time, Fleur tied the knot with long-time boyfriend Marcel Badiane-Robin in Morocco. Having met in a bar in 2009 when Fleur was in a relationship, the pair were smitten with each other when they reconnected in 2010.
Fleur admitted that doing Strictly “spiced up her marriage” with French fashion designer Marcel, telling The Mirror: “If you want the spark to be reignited in your marriage, then do Strictly. When has he ever seen me in a new look every week, moving my hips like that? When do you ever get to do that for your partner? It’s like I’m performing for him every Saturday night.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
