Katherine Jenkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katherine Jenkins OBE
Jenkins in September 2022
Born	(1980-06-29) 29 June 1980 (age 44) Neath, Wales
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Years active	2003–present
Spouse(s)	Andrew Levitas ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Crossover music pop operatic pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Universal Warner Decca

Katherine Jenkins (born June 29, 1980) is a famous Welsh singer. She is known for her beautiful voice, called a mezzo-soprano. She sings many types of music, including opera songs, popular tunes, musical theatre, and hymns.

Katherine became well-known in 2003. She sang at Westminster Cathedral to honor Pope John Paul II. Since 2004, she has released many successful albums. Her albums won "Album of the Year" at the Classic Brit Awards in 2005 and 2006. She has performed for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. She also sings at sports events, on TV shows, and for many charities.

Early Life and Music Training

Katherine Maria Jenkins was born in Neath, Wales. Her father, Selwyn, worked in a factory. Her mother, Susan, was a radiographer. Katherine has a sister named Laura.

She went to Alderman Davies primary school. Then she attended Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School and Gorseinon College. She earned high grades in her exams. She also performed in school plays like Calamity Jane. Katherine studied singing and piano. She passed her music exams with top marks. Her father passed away when she was 15. She dedicates every award she wins to him.

Katherine Jenkins' Singing Career

Starting Her Musical Journey

From 1991 to 1996, Katherine sang in the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers. She won the BBC Radio 2 Welsh Choirgirl of the Year contest twice. She also won the BET Welsh Choirgirl of the Year competition. At 17, she earned a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. She graduated with honors.

Before becoming a star, she worked as a voice coach. She was also a tour guide at the London Eye. In 2000, she won a modeling competition. But she decided to focus on music. A record company, Universal Classics and Jazz, heard her sing. They offered her a big six-album deal. This was a huge deal for classical music in the UK.

Achieving Record Success

Jenkins performing in 2011

Between 2004 and 2008, six of Katherine's albums reached number one. They sold over 4 million copies. Her first album, Premiere, made her the fastest-selling mezzo-soprano. She was the first British classical crossover artist to have two number one albums in one year. She also won two Classical BRIT Awards in a row. Her album Second Nature was "Album of the Year" in 2005.

Her third album, Living a Dream, was also a big hit. It stayed at number one on the classical charts for almost a year. It also reached number four on the pop charts. This album helped her win another Classical BRIT award.

Her fourth album, Serenade, sold over 50,000 copies in its first week. Her fifth album, Rejoice, came out in 2007. It included songs written just for her. This album reached number three on the pop charts. Katherine was very surprised to outsell famous artists like the Spice Girls.

In 2008, she released Sacred Arias. Then she signed a new record deal with Warner Music. Her next album, Believe, came out in 2009. It featured other famous musicians like Andrea Bocelli. She performed songs from this album on many TV shows.

In 2011, she released Daydream. A Christmas album, This is Christmas, followed in 2012. After moving to Decca Records, she released Home Sweet Home in 2014. In 2016, she released ‘Celebration’.

In 2017, Classic FM announced she was the best-selling classical artist of the last 25 years in the UK. Her 13th album, ‘Guiding Light’, came out in 2018. It became her 13th number one album. This made her the first classical artist to achieve this.

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Katherine was asked to record "God Save the King". This new national anthem for King Charles III aired on September 10, 2022.

Live Concerts and Performances

Katherine first gained attention in 2003. She sang at Westminster Cathedral for Pope John Paul II's special anniversary. She also supported singer Aled Jones on tour. She sang at the Sydney Opera House during the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

She often sings the Welsh national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau". She performs it at Welsh international rugby matches. In 2005, she became the official mascot for the Wales rugby team.

Katherine has performed at many important events. She sang at the Tsunami Relief Concert in 2005. She also performed in Trafalgar Square for the 60th Anniversary of VE Day. At Live 8 in Berlin, she sang "Amazing Grace". She also helped launch the The Royal British Legion's poppy appeal.

In December 2005 and 2006, Katherine traveled to Iraq. She entertained soldiers there for Christmas. She performed for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance. She also sang at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway.

In 2007, she performed with Paul Potts. She also modeled at Naomi Campbell's Fashion Relief event for charity. In November 2007, she was named classical performer of the year.

With Darcey Bussell, she created a show called Viva la Diva. It paid tribute to stars like Madonna. Katherine even learned to tap dance for the show. She was the first person to sing the Welsh National Anthem at an FA Cup Final.

In 2009, she performed in South Korea with Plácido Domingo. She also sang at the opening of the Ashes Test Series in Cardiff. She performed for Children in Need with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. She also sang with Andrea Bocelli for his Christmas TV special.

Jenkins at Sophia Gardens before the start of the 2009 Ashes singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem

In 2010, she sang the Canadian Anthem in Argentina. She also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, she toured with Il Divo. She also sang at the U.S. Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C..

In 2015, she performed at VE Day 70: A Party to Remember in London. In 2017, she starred in the musical Carousel. In 2020, her "Christmas Spectacular" show was released as a film.

Film and Television Appearances

Film Roles

Television Shows

Jenkins live in 2011

Katherine has appeared on many TV shows. In 2006, she was on Parkinson. She also had a small role in the soap opera Emmerdale. In 2007, she sang on Saving Planet Earth for charity. She also appeared on Britain's Favourite View.

She sang on Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor. She has also presented the BBC show Songs of Praise. In 2009, she appeared on The Apprentice. She sang "Hallelujah" for the winning team.

Jenkins at Clumber Park in August 2011

In 2010, she was a mentor on Popstar to Operastar. She also acted in the 2010 Christmas Special of Doctor Who. This was her first big acting role. In 2011, she sang on the American show Dancing with the Stars.

In 2012, she competed on the American Dancing with the Stars. She finished as a runner-up. In 2017, she appeared on Operation: Magic. She helped magician Richard Jones with illusions. In July 2017, she became a main presenter for Songs of Praise.

In 2020, Katherine was a contestant on The Masked Singer in the UK. She performed as "Octopus" and finished in third place.

Dancing with the Stars Journey

Katherine Jenkins competed in the 14th season of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas. She earned the highest scores from the judges six times. In the semi-finals, she had a small injury during her salsa dance. But she still made it to the finals.

In the final, she scored perfect 30s for all three of her dances. She finished as the runner-up in the competition. Her average score was one of the highest in the show's history at that time.

Personal Life and Family

Jenkins in 2013

Katherine Jenkins is a Christian. She believes in Heaven. She says her dad is "somewhere doing something nice." To honor her father, she ran the 2013 London Marathon. She raised £25,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Her autobiography, Time to Say Hello, was released in 2008. It shared her life story.

Katherine has been recognized as one of the wealthiest young people in Britain.

In October 2013, Katherine started dating American painter Andrew Levitas. They got engaged in April 2014. They married at Hampton Court Palace on September 27, 2014. They have two children, a daughter born in 2015 and a son born in 2018.

In 2014, Katherine was given an award called Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for her contributions to music and her charity work.

Discography

Jenkins at the U.S. Capitol in 2010

Studio albums

• Premiere (2004)
• Second Nature (2004)
• Living a Dream (2005)
• Serenade (2006)
• Rejoice (2007)
• Sacred Arias (2008)
• Believe (2009)
• Daydream (2011)
• This Is Christmas (2012)
• Home Sweet Home (2014)
• Celebration (2016)
• Guiding Light (2018)
• Cinema Paradiso (2020)

See also

In Spanish: Katherine Jenkins para niños