Alexa Chung

Infobox Person
name = Alexa Chung


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birth_date = 5 November 1983 (age 24)
birth_place = Hampshire, United Kingdom
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nationality = British
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education = 3 A levels
employer = Channel 4

BBC
occupation = TV presenter
home_town = London
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height = 5 ft 8 in
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Alexa Chung (born 5 November 1983) is a British TV presenter and former fashion model.

Early life

Alexa Chung was raised in Privett, Hampshire by her English mother, a housewife, and her Chinese father, a graphic designer. She is the youngest of four children and has two brothers and one sister. Her elder brother is DJ Dom Chung. [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2100896473_f8fe3db4c1_o.jpgEvening Standard interview, part two] ]

She attended the local comprehensive school, Perins Community College, and later the sixth form Peter Symonds College, Winchester (1999-2001). She had been accepted by King’s College London to read English and by Chelsea College of Art and Design to do an art foundation course, with two 'A' grades (English and Art) and a 'B' (History) at A-level, before being scouted by a modelling agency. [ [http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2084617,00.html Former teacher gives the Guardian his impressions of her] ] [ [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/celebrity/story/0,,2269466,00.html Guardian interview] ]

Modelling

Chung was first scouted by an agency, Elite Model Management, while attending "The Clothes Show" at the age of 14, but nothing came of it. She was approached again, in the comedy tent at Reading Festival, at the age of 16 and was taken on by the London-based Storm Model Management. [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2100896473_f8fe3db4c1_o.jpgEvening Standard interview, part two] ]

She was a cover girl for teen magazines such as "Elle Girl" and "CosmoGIRL!" and appeared in adverts for products including Fanta, Sony Ericsson, Sunsilk and Tampax. [ [http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Alexa_Chung/ Fashion Model Online Directory] ] She also modelled for Urban Outfitters. [ [http://alexachung.awardspace.com/images/urban-outfitters1.htm Urban Outfitters picture gallery] ] Chung later said, “I was willing to look like a bit of an idiot. I was never too precious about the faces I pulled. I did loads of teen magazines and rubbish high street campaigns.” [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2100896473_f8fe3db4c1_o.jpgEvening Standard interview, part two] ]

She appeared in music videos for artists including The Streets, Westlife, Delta Goodrem, Reuben and Holly Valance. [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=30-11-2007200625.jpgCompany magazine interview, part two] ] She also starred as Jake in a scripted reality show called "Shoot Me", broadcast on Fashion TV in 2005. [ [http://www.ftv.com/fashion/page.php?P=766 Watch "Shoot Me" online] ] Chung herself admitted it was “really bad”. [ [http://www.popworld.com/pages/introducingalexa Popworld Big Ones interview] ]

After four years, Chung quit modelling with the intention of beginning an art foundation or fashion journalism course [ [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3271252.ece My life in style] ] , having become disillusioned. She had developed a “distorted body image” [ [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article3112005.ece The Times's "Small Screen Goddess" interview] ] and “low self-esteem” [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=30-11-2007200534.jpgCompany magazine interview, part one] ] through modelling. “It made me really unhappy.” She has since said that, “I’ve used up all that neurosis – there’s none left. I’d rather have a bigger brain than smaller bones.” [ [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article3112005.ece The Times's "Small Screen Goddess" interview] ]

In January 2008, Chung was announced as the face of Antipodium's Spring Summer 2008 collection, which is on sale at Liberty and Harvey Nichols. [ [http://www.handbag.com/fashion/alexa-chung-dj-fashion-pictures/gallery Behind the scenes at Antipodum shoot] ]

In May 2008, Chung was announced as the face of Oxfam's ethical fashion range, Revamped, sold exclusively at Westbourne Grove, West London. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2008/05/11/st_janeshepherdson.xml&page=2 Oxfam's ethical clothing range] ]

In September 2008, Chung walked the catwalk as part of the "Vivienne Westwood Red Label" Spring/Summer 2009 show at London Fashion Week.

TV career

Chung first auditioned as a "T4" presenter when she was 18 but “didn’t get anywhere because I was hideously Hampshire, going “Ya, ya”, and thinking I was really funny”. [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=alexaarena.jpgArena magazine interview] ]

When the original "Popworld" presenters, Miquita Oliver and Simon Amstell left in 2006, Chung’s audition tape was reviewed and, in April 2006, she was offered the job of co-host, alongside former "MTV" presenter Alex Zane. [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=30-11-2007200625.jpgCompany magazine interview, part two] ] "Popworld" was known for its witty, irreverent and awkward style of interviews. An interview Chung conducted with Panic at the Disco, in particular, attracted attention. “I corrected singer Brendon Urie’s grammar halfway through and then it all went a bit cold. He got pi**ed off after that. The clip is on YouTube and about 10,000 American kids have left comments saying: ‘Oh my God, who does she think she is? I hate the English.’ Which is amusing.” [ [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=43933&in_page_id=11 Metro 60 seconds interview] ] Other memorable moments include Chung asking Gwen Stefani whether her new "surprising" perfume would smell like bacon [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zft7K6gougY Gwen Stefani interview on Popworld] ] and helping Paul McCartney compose a song about shoes. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQgIorfigSM Paul McCartney interview on Popworld] ] The last show aired in July 2007, after Channel 4 decided not to recommission the programme. [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article16674.ece Channel 4 axes Popworld] ]

Chung and Zane also presented a weekly, internet-streamed radio show called Popworld Radio from September 2006 to May 2007, in conjunction with the TV programme. [ [http://www.channel4radio.com/show/index.php?Id=410&Referer=&Order=Name&PageLength=5&CategoryId=&ProductCategoryId=57&TypeId=&ProductId=&Desc=&CurrentPage=2 Popworld radio - listen online] ] The programme was awarded the Sony Radio Academy Award's Bronze Music prize, who said it had "a style and tone of its own that encompasses rich content, insightful interviewing and original presentation.” [ [http://www.radioawards.org/winners/?category=The_Music_Programme_Award&year=2007 Sony Radio Awards] ]

In April 2007, Chung starred in the ITV1 series "Get a Grip", opposite comedian Ben Elton. The topical satirical show was scripted by Elton. Chung was unfazed by the move from music television to political satire, saying "He'll tell me about Margaret Thatcher and I'll hit him with some facts about Razorlight". [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2028333006_a293796abd_o.jpgHeat magazine interview] ] The show was panned by the critics.

In August 2007, Chung signed a year-long "golden handcuffs" deal with Channel 4, worth £100,000. [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article263824.ece Alexa's £100k of T4 cuff love] ] As part of this deal, she guest presented "Big Brother’s Big Mouth", presented T4’s coverage of "V Festival", "T in the Park" and "T4 on the Beach" and appeared as a panellist on quiz show "8 out of 10 Cats".

She also hosts a number of "T4 Movie Specials", "4Music Specials", along with "T4 Holiday Mornings". [ [http://www.independenttalent.com/presenters/alexa-chung Indepenent - Alexa's talent agency] ]

In September 2007, Chung began presenting Channel 4’s early morning music programme "Freshly Squeezed", with alternating co-hosts Nick Grimshaw and Rick Edwards. The show airs on weekdays at 7am, but Chung is currently on a summer break.

In December 2007, she was at number 18 in "Broadcast"'s Hot 100 Talent list. [ [http://www.lizmatthewspr.com/pressimg/Alexa_ChungBroadcast_p2_21_12_070.jpgBroadcast Hot 100 List] ]

In January 2008, Chung became one of four anchor T4 presenters, following the departure of June Sarpong.

Chung was the host of T4’s "Vanity Lair", a ten-week reality show that aimed to explore contemporary notions of what being a beautiful person really means. [ [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/V/vanitylair/ Vanity Lair's T4 homepage] ] When the show was mentioned in a later interview, "Chung raises her eyebrows, indicating embarrassment."

She presented BBC Three's "The Wall" which began in April 2008, along with Rhys Thomas. The eight-week live show featured comedy, sketches, chat and music performances. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/03_march/18/wall.shtml The Wall's press release] ]

Chung has also hosted industry events including the "Hair Magazine" Awards 2007, Diesel U Music Awards 2007 and the Elle Style Awards 2008.

Chung was the "roving reporter" on Channel 4's eight-week fashion programme, "Gok's Fashion Fix" [ [http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/G/gok_fashion/biogs/gok.html Gok's Fashion Fix - official website] ] . On the programme, Chung roadtested the latest fashion trends with members of the public, and interviewed fashion designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Margherita Missoni and Christian Lacroix. She has described it as 'pretty much my dream job'. [ [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2288542,00.html The Observer - Who's Cool Now] ]

Chung is also set to host a T4 music and fashion show called Frock Me!, with fashion designer Henry Holland. The programme begins at 11am on Sunday, 5 October.

Columnist

Chung wrote a monthly column for British women’s magazine "Company" [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?start=0 Scans from Company column] ] from October 2007 to June 2008.

"It Girl" Status

In 2007, Chung came to the attention of the fashion press for her laid-back, quirky style. As vogue.com noted, she “took prime position in most of 2007's Best Dressed lists.” [ [http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=49557 Vogue news item on Chung] ] In 2008, she featured in the top ten of both Tatler and Glamour magazines' Best Dressed Lists. She has said of her style, “I either want to look like an excellently dressed boy or a kitten from the 1960s, like Françoise Hardy.” [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2202475064_1c874dd75c_b.jpgThe Times's "Small Screen Goddess" interview] ] Chung has also mentioned The Shirelles [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2314062321_781ba7092e_o.jpgTatler Best Dressed piece] ] , Anita Pallenberg, Marianne Faithful [ [http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f50/alexa-chung-44034-52.html#post4134138 Dare magazine interview] ] , Jane Birkin and Julie Christie [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=LTSRIB03YD5HHQFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/fashion/2007/12/09/st_partyfrocks.xml Stella magazine interview] ] as sources of style inspiration, as well as 1960s and 1970s films such as "Doctor Zhivago (film)", "Picnic at Hanging Rock (film)" [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2312418812_29688c4373_o.jpgHarper's Bazaar style interview] ] , "Annie Hall" [ [http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f50/alexa-chung-44034-52.html#post4134138 Dare magazine interview] ] , "Darling", "Masculin, féminin" and "Blowup" [ [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3271252.ece My life in style] ] . Chung has expressed bemusement regarding the widespread admiration of her style, saying, "It’s odd to have acquired this style icon tag, because everyone in Shoreditch dresses the same". [ [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3271252.ece My life in style] ]

Chung, according to the "Sunday Times"’ Style magazine, “is a must-have at any self-respecting fashionable party” [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2202475064_1c874dd75c_b.jpgThe Times's "Small Screen Goddess" interview] ] and socialises with many well-known faces including supermodel Agyness Deyn, Kelly Osbourne, Pixie and Peaches Geldof, Trash Pussies’ Fifi Brown, TV presenter Nick Grimshaw, musician Devonte Hynes, model Valentine Fillol-Cordier as well as indie bands such as The Like, Fields and The Kills. However, she has said the idea of lots of celebrity friends is "so cheesy". [ [http://www.tvhits.co.uk/star_interview_arc.php?id=33 TV Hits interview] ]

Hipster website thecobrasnake.com has featured candid photos of Chung on multiple occasions. She has praised the Cobrasnake's work, saying he takes "genuinely really well composed photos". [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=scan0012.jpgIndependent photography interview] ]

Chung has dismissed the notion of being an It girl, saying “I mean, there’s not much to being an It girl. It’s really quite a depressing title to hold.” She has, however, conceded that, "It’s actually rather nice, because you are sent some pretty cool stuff" [ [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3271252.ece My life in style] ]

She has also expressed concerns of becoming overexposed, due to the increased media interest. "I don't want to shove my face down everyone's throat. Because I always got bored with reading Heat and Hello! seeing the same faces around. I don't want to be famous for going out...It's very difficult if you're in the middle of something to see it clearly and I don't have any idea of what it looks like from the outside or how I'm perceived...I'm sure there'll be some new whippersnapper coming up pretty soon, with a snappy new haircut, and wearing Marni, and vintage T-shirts". [ [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/celebrity/story/0,,2269466,00.html Guardian interview] ]

ex Symbol

Chung appeared on the cover of men's magazine "Arena" in November 2006, along with three other up-and-coming stars. The magazine wondered, "Could she be the most beautiful girl in the world? Possibly. In fact, probably". [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=alexaarena.jpgArena magazine interview] ]

In April 2007, Chung was number 64 [ [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=46702&in_page_id=7 FHM list] ] in "FHM"'s top 100 Sexiest Women list, as voted for by readers, after injecting "some much needed sauce" into T4's Popworld. [ [http://www.classic.fhm.com/asp_code/100sexiest2007/girlsa.asp FHM blurb] ] She was also nominated for PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian 2007 Award. [ [http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/sexiest_vegetarian_2007_award.html Sexiest Vegetarian 07 shortlist] ]

In the March 2008 issue of "Loaded", an underwear shoot from Chung's modelling days was unearthed. In the accompanying article, Chung was described as "the lady the thinking chaps are going mad for". [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=AlexaC01_123_179lo.jpgLoaded editor's opinion piece] ]

She has dismissed the notion of being "sexy", saying 'I'm perhaps the least sexy person in the world'. [ [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2288542,00.html The Observer: Who's Hot Now] ] 'I don't want to look sexy in photographs. I think it's an easy option. I'm so sick of girls pushing their boobs up in Myspace photographs. I hate the way women want to be "hot" all the time.'

Relationships

Chung has previously dated photographer David Titlow [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2100897733_645f891bfb_o.jpgEvening Standard interview, part one] ] , the Horrors singer Faris Badwan [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/09/14/surveillance-89520-17744479/ The Daily Mirror's Surveillance column] ] , James Righton, vocalist and keyboard player with Klaxons, [ [http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/showbiz/showbiznews/2007/05/13/lindsay-gets-second-best-98487-19095635/ Sunday Mirror sighting at Coachella] ] , and Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins. In September 2006, she had illustrated the cover of a Lostprophets single, A Town Called Hypocrisy. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/images/B000HOJNO8/ Chung's illustration for Lostprophets CD1] ]

Since October 2007 she has been in a relationship with Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys. [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article321019.ece The Sun-Arctic Monkey pulls T4 stunner] ]

Charity/Campaign Work

Chung has supported numerous charities including the Terrence Higgins Trust, World AIDS Day [ [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=27501&in_page_id=7&in_a_source= World Aids Day article] ] , Friends of the Earth's The Big Ask [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3IcSw1ZC-0 The Big Ask video] ] , Product Red [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccn9bR7fLx0 Product Red video with Alexa] ] , Greenpeace [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWRBzn2rH04 Greenpeace video] ] and Attitude is Everything [ [http://www.artsline.org.uk/static/about/attitude Alexa djs for Attitude is Everything] .]

In December 2007, Chung designed a condom tin for "Company" magazine to help "convince people to carry condoms". [ [http://www.getlippy.com/lifeandlove/sex/celeb-condom-tins/?galPg=1&galIx=5 Company's condom campaign] ]

In January 2008, Chung designed a range of jewellery for Made Boutique, a Fair Trade organisation. Which she is often seen wearing. [ [http://www.made.uk.com/shop/category/alexa-chung/page-1/ Fair Trade jewellery] ]

Chung has been vocal about her vegetarianism. “I’ve been a vegetarian for as long as I can remember being able to say, “Mum, I genuinely can’t eat this.” [ [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?action=view&current=2100896473_f8fe3db4c1_o.jpgEvening Standard interview, part two] ] She does, however, wear leather. When questioned about this, Chung said,"I haven't eaten meat since I was 16. Living in the country, hanging out with lambs, then seeing them hanging in a stable... I suppose it makes sense to translate that into clothes, but it's harder to find ethical fashion. They need to make it more readily available." [ [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/ethical/story/0,,2097836,00.html Alexa speaks to the Guardian about ethical fashion] ]

In May 2008, Chung was announced as the brand ambassador for Oxfam's ethical fashion boutiques [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2008/05/11/st_janeshepherdson.xml&page=2 Oxfam's upmarket ethical fashion boutiques] ]

Filmography

* Frock Me (2008)
* Gok's Fashion Fix (2008)
* The Wall (2008)
* Freshly Squeezed (2007- )
* Vanity Lair (2008)
* T4 (2008- )
* 4Music Special: Usher (2008)
* T4 presents the NME Awards 2008 (2008)
* V Festival '08 Preview (2008)
* The Devil Wears Primark (2008)
* 4Music Special: Goldfrapp (2008)
* National Treasure T4 Movie Special (2008)
* T4 Holiday Mornings (2007/2008)
* Big Brother's Big Mouth (2007)
* 4Music Special: Lostprophets (2007)
* Enchanted T4 Movie Special (2007)
* Ratatouille T4 Movie Special (2007)
* Fashion Rocks is Coming (2007)
* V Festival coverage (2007)
* T in the Park coverage (2007)
* T4 on the Beach coverage (2007)
* It's a Boy Girl Thing T4 Movie Special (2007)
* Get a Grip (2007)
* Popworld (2006-2007)
* 4Music Special: Magic Numbers (2006)
* Déjà Vu T4 Movie Special (2006)
* The Devil Wears Prada T4 Movie Special (2006)
* Rip Curl Festival coverage (2006)
* Shoot Me (2005)

References

The Devil Wears Primark (2008)

External links

* [http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f50/alexa-chung-44034.html The Fashion Spot - best source for pictures]
* [http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/popeye999_album/?start=0 Photobucket containing lots of scanned magazine interviews/ articles]
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/being-alexa-chung-televisions-hottest-property-778916.html The Independent - Television's Hottest Property]
* [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article3112005.ece The Times - Small Screen Goddess]
* [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/celebrity/story/0,,2269466,00.html The Guardian - She's the One]
* [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2288542,00.html The Observer - Who's Hot Now]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2008/06/22/st_alexachung.xml The Telegraph - The One To Watch]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=LTSRIB03YD5HHQFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/fashion/2007/12/09/st_partyfrocks.xml The Telegraph - All The Trimmings]
* [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3271252.ece The Times - My life in style]
* [http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3518151&postcount=273 The Independent- How Do I Look?]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2156852,00.html The Guardian - The Close Up]
* [http://www.vanityfair.de/articles/leute/alexa-chung/2008/04/29/08523/ Vanity Fair Germany - London's New Darling]
* [http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=1436 NYLON - The Insider]
* [http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f50/alexa-chung-44034-52.html#post4134138 Dare magazine - Interview]
* [http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1435509352/bclid474534523/bctid1231030273 Elle TV meets Alexa]
* [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/V/vanitylair/video/ Vanity Lair - 2 video interviews]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/AlexaChung Alexa's Youtube Account]
* [http://www.channel4.com/music/ontv/P/presenters.html Channel Four - video interview]
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art-and-architecture/features/i-love-lego-celebrating-50-years-of-the-tiny-building-blocks-773703.html The Independent - Celebrating Lego's anniversary]
* [http://www.lovefilm.com/community/view_list.html?customer_list_id=4135 Lovefilm - Alexa's ten favourite films]
* [http://www.quepasacontent.co.uk/tvfilm/2008/02/01/Alexa_Chung_On_Vanity_Lair/index.html Que Pasa Content - Interview about Vanity Lair]
* [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=43933&in_page_id=11 Metro - 60 second interview]
* [http://www.psychopedia.com/dailynews/2007/05/chatting_with_an_expert_chatte.html Psychopedia - May 2007 interview]
* [http://www.tvhits.co.uk/star_interview_arc.php?id=33 TV Hits - interview]
* [http://www.alexachung.co.uk/biography.html Popworld introduces Alexa]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2066104 IMDb]