Alexandra Reid Varley (born March 5, 1989), known professionally as Alex Reid or simply Alex, is an American singer and rapper. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group BP Rania, becoming the first African American K-Pop idol in the world.
Early life Alexandra Reid Varley was born in Kansas City, Kansas. Relocating to Plano, Texas, as a child, she began working as a model in the Dallas fashion scene. Reid is mixed and has Swedish, Sub-Saharan African and Hungarian heritage.
Career 2004–2014: Career beginnings and Letters to My Ex Reid was introduced as one of the sixteen cast members of the third season of Discovery Kids' reality television children's program Endurance in 2004. She was partnered with Bjorn Leum and competed together as the Green Team, ultimately placing seventh overall in the competition. Shortly after, Reid's Myspace profile was discovered by L.A. Reid's assistant, thus prompting her to move to New York City and initiated preparation for her debut—ultimately signing a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings and a publishing contract with Sony Music. She then moved to Los Angeles, California, and was managed by Scooter Braun.kwikimart. "Hay Omona! Come and get to know Alexandra Reid, RaNia's new member", LiveJournal, November 4, 2015. Retrieved on October 22, 2016.Brutus, Wilkine. , OogeeWoogee, November 27, 2015. Retrieved on October 22, 2016.A1stCentral. "170209 BP Rania – BP 라니아 EBS FM Morning Special", YouTube, February 11, 2017. Retrieved on February 12, 2017.StudzLife101. "Studology 101 Interviews Alex Reid! PLUS Bonus Footage!", YouTube, December 12, 2011. Retrieved on February 11, 2017. Reid released her debut single, "Body to Body," on November 7, 2011, with an accompanying lyric video.Reid, Alex. "Body To Body (Lyrics)", YouTube, November 7, 2015. Retrieved on October 22, 2016. The lyrics of the song were penned by herself, while the instrumental was produced by Dru Castro and Phil Margaziotis.Reid, Alex. "Alex Reid- "Body To Body" (In The Studio)", YouTube, August 10, 2012. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. The song was performed live for the first time in conjunction with a rendition of "Do It Like a Dude" by Jessie J at the Kwanzaa Fest 2011 event held in Dallas, Texas.RaNia Nation. "RaNia Alex (알렉스) – Do It Like A Dude & Body To Body Pre Debut (2011)", YouTube, December 22, 2016. Retrieved on February 11, 2017.
Reid released her debut extended play, Letters to My Ex, on August 31, 2012. Despite failing to chart, the extended play received positive reviews from online music blogs and forums.Reid, Alex. "NEW MUSIC: @THEALEXREID – LETTERS TO MY EX EP" , Bam VS Media, 2012. Retrieved on February 11, 2017. Letters to My Ex produced two singles prior to its initial release—the first single, "Soldier", was released on August 3, 2012.Reid, Alex. "Soldier" Alex Reid ft. Traphik (prod. by J.R Rotem)", YouTube, August 3, 2012. Retrieved on February 11, 2017. The song featured Traphik, who also contributed in the penmanship of the song. The second single, "My Ex", was released on August 10, 2012.Reid, Alex. "My Ex -Alex Reid (Lyrics VIdeo).mov", YouTube, August 10, 2012. Retrieved on February 11, 2017. During an interview with Chan Lo, reporting for the Chicks N Kicks online magazine, she revealed that production for her then-upcoming second extended play, Chik Muzik, has begun and deemed it a "'take it or leave it' type record; young, fresh, and bold—music that doesn't take itself too seriously."Lo, Chan. "Alex Reid – Jordan SC-1" , Chicks N Kicks, 2013. Retrieved on February 11, 2017. The extended play was planned to be released in March 2013, however it has remained unreleased since. Following a year-long hiatus, Reid released a stand-alone single, "Want Me Some U", on February 14, 2014.REID, ALEX. "Want Me Some U", SoundCloud, 2014. Retrieved on February 12, 2017.
2015–17: Rania
DR Music announced a comeback for Rania with six composing members following numerous line-up changes prior to the announcement on October 29, 2015. Reid was subsequently revealed as the third and final newest addition to the group on November 4, 2015. Her membership received approval from Korean netizens, with many complimenting her appearance;Netizen Buzz. "Rania declares comeback with their first black member", Netizen Buzz, November 3, 2015. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. on the other hand, the unveil resulted in a "heated debate between hardcore and casual fans of K-pop and hip-hop, points of contention between cultural appropriation, creative licenses, and proper representation." Rania's third extended play, Demonstrate, was released on November 4, 2015, however its title track's music video did not feature Reid and instead displayed numerous shots of the other members throughout her verses. The situation was addressed by South Korean media, citing visa issues.XSportsNews.com. "라니아, 美 흑인 래퍼 알렉산드라 합류 '화려한 이력'", XSportsNews.com, November 4, 2015. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. The music video was re-released on November 11, 2015, featuring numerous shots of Reid filtered in grayscale.alim17. "RaNia unveil "Demonstrate" MV including new member Alex", Allkpop, November 11, 2015. Retrieved on October 20, 2017. The song was performed live for the first time with the complete line-up on the November 14, 2015, broadcast of MBC's music television program Show! Music Core.
In 2016, DR Music launched a fundraiser to fund the debut of the sub-unit Hex—composed of Reid and the youngest member Hyeme—as well as Rania's then-upcoming fourth extended play, which was planned for an August 2016 release.IATFB. "RaNia are trying to crowdfund their album ... like THIS album", Asian Junkie, November 5, 2015. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. However, the fundraiser was terminated by Makestar following numerous failed attempts of communication between the two parties.IATFB. "Makestar is refunding the backers of RaNia's project, so they are literally cancelled", Asian Junkie, July 13, 2016. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. The termination followed the departure of the three remaining original members of Rania—Di, T-ae, and Xia—which resulted in the postponement of their then-upcoming extended play.IATFB. "Xia, Di, Ta-e leave Rania & DR Music, set to debut with new group Ela8te", Asian Junkie, May 27, 2016. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. Reid was subsequently promoted to leader of the group.Reid, Alexandra. "Alexandra Reid on Twitter: "안녕하세요 저는 라니아 리더입니다", Twitter, August 14, 2016. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. Following a brief stint in the United States to finalize the production of Rania's next album, she performed at the W Concert event held in Seoul, South Korea on November 20, 2016.DR MUSIC RANIA. "2016.11.20 W Concert 라니아 알렉스", YouTube, November 21, 2016. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. DR Music announced that the group would be renamed BP Rania and ultimately released their fourth extended play, Start a Fire, on December 29, 2016.elliefilet. "RaNia "Start a Fire" in upcoming MV teaser as BP RaNia!", Allkpop, December 27, 2016. Retrieved on February 12, 2017. "Make Me Ah" served as the second promotional single from the extended play.elliefillet. "Watch VAV, Melody Day, and more on February 18th 'Show! Music Core'!", Allkpop, February 15, 2017. Retrieved on May 17, 2017. DR Music announced Reid's absence from the remaining scheduled performances for the single on February 21, 2017, as a result of an acting opportunity.Park, David. "BP RANIA's Alexandra To Take Temporary Hiatus From Promotions To Pursue Acting" , Soompi, February 21, 2017. Retrieved on May 17, 2017. She portrayed Britt in TV One's biographical film Bobbi Kristina, which premiered on October 8, 2017. Following a series of events which included a feud with BP Rania's choreographer,Koreaboo. "The Full Story Behind Alex's Departure From BP Rania and DR Music", Koreaboo, August 23, 2017. Retrieved on October 20, 2017. DR Music announced Reid's departure from the group on August 19, 2017.DR Music. "Alexandra Reid to be no longer a member of BP Rania", Facebook, August 19, 2017. Retrieved on September 17, 2017.
2017–present: Standalone singles and upcoming memoir On December 9, 2017, Reid announced the upcoming release of "East West", which was initially intended for the Hex sub-unit, although a time frame was not provided.Reid, Alexandra. "Alexandra Reid on Twitter: "I'm putting out East West...", Twitter, December 9, 2017. Retrieved on January 26, 2018. The single was ultimately released on March 19, 2018.Reid, Alexandra. "Alexandra Reid on Twitter: "East West out now!...", Twitter, March 19, 2018. Retrieved on March 21, 2018. "Gretchen Wieners" was released as a follow-up single on June 24, 2018.
She is currently writing a memoir revolving around her experiences in the South Korean music industry.
Filmography
Television Title Year Role Notes Endurance: Hawaii 2004 Contestant 7th place Bobbi Kristina 2017 Britt Television film
Music videos Title Year Artist Director "You Changed Me" 2015 Jamie Foxx ft. Chris Brown Director X
Discography
Extended plays + List of extended plays Title EP details Letters to My Ex Released: September 12, 2012 Label: Independent Format: Digital download, online streaming
Singles + List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "Body to Body" 2011 "Soldier"(featuring Traphik) 2012 Letters to My Ex "My Ex" "Want Me Some U" 2014 "Good Girl" Letters to My Ex "Good Shh!" 2016 rowspan="3" "East West" 2018 "Gretchen Wieners"
References
External links