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Alexandra Burke has reportedly signed a US record deal with Epic worth £3 million.

The X Factor winner was picked up by the label for a five-album contract as a result of the success of her ‘Hallelujah’ single, The Sun reports.

An industry insider said: “Epic think Alexandra can follow in Leona’s footsteps.

“The US market loves women with big voices – and Alex certainly has that. If she comes close to Leona’s success it will be a job well done.”

It is claimed that Epic is planning a similar launch strategy to the one used by parent company Sony to promote Leona Lewis.

Earlier this week, Burke said that watching Coldplay’s success at the Grammys has made her more determined to crack America. {Source}

I must say, I’m particularly happy for Alexandra. With all the talk of her being ‘the’ next big worldwide star, a US deal really was a necessity. With Leona signing with J Records (also under the Sony Music umbrella with Epic), it really seems that they are following a similar template with Alex – a fact also made evident with the label’s choice to take time with the recording of the album (which is due in November). Working with the top US producers, stylists etc also seems an inevitability as the £3Million is what will be used to both make and market the album, as well as carving out an image for Alex. Exciting stuff.

LeToya Luckett will shoot a video for “Not Anymore” on Friday in Los Angeles. The mini-movie will be directed by Bryan Barber (OutKast, The Game) and is the first single off the 27-year-old’s sophomore album Lady Love.

The treatment calls for nothing you’ve seen from the R&B songstress before, conceptually and visually. The video will be set in the early 1960s, but will have a modern feel similar to Barber’s video for Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man.”

Taking place on an old revival tour bus and “American Bandstand”-like stage, LeToya is the newest addition to a Motown record label and is burning up the charts, eventually moving on from the man who broke her heart and reveling in the ultimate revenge—success.

With the song being a grower – and not as instantly likable as, perhaps, required – a killer video is just what is needed. I’m particularly anticipating this one, as some Barber’s previous work have really been awesome.