While a teenager Barlow won a national talent search Festival4Stars.[2] In 2008, Barlow took part 'The Stobart Factor' a talent competition, which was judged by The X Factor judge Louis Walsh. Walsh gave Barlow positive comments on her singing and told her she had 'style'. Alice went on to win the competition and won £10,000, in which she put towards an Invisalign to straighten her teeth.[3]
In October 2009, Alice made her television debut as Rae Wilson in Channel 4's soap-opera, Hollyoaks.[4] While at Hollyoaks, Barlow won an All About Soap award for "Best Love Triangle", along with Kieron Richardson and Emmett J. Scanlan.[5] In early 2011, Barlow decided to leave the serial and her character was killed off in the late night spin-off Hollyoaks Later, which aired in September 2011. Barlow's departure was kept a secret until her exit scenes were aired.[6] While starring in the show she also presented linked project The Hollyoaks Music Show. In 2012 Barlow secured the role of Bella in ITV drama series Crime Stories.[7]
On 15 February 2013, Digital Spy reported that Barlow had auditioned on the second series of The Voice UK[8][9] and had got through to the next round with Danny O'Donoghue as her coach.[10] Barlow was defeated in the battle rounds by Andrea Begley, the eventual winner of the show. Following her elimination from the talent contest Barlow vowed to continue her ambition of a career in music.[11]
On 10 July, Barlow's management announced that she had secured the role of Sara in a new E4's comedy titled Drifters.[12] In 2014, Barlow filmed a guest appearance for the medical drama Casualty.[12] For 2015, Barlow secured a recurring role in ITV comedy Benidorm and a guest role in Russell T Davies' series Banana.[13]
In 2018, Barlow secured the role of Kat in the Dusty Springfield musical "Son Of A Preacher Man".[14]