Kristel Verbeke facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kristel Verbeke
Background information
Birth name	Kristel Philemon Charlotte Verbeke
Born	(1975-12-10) 10 December 1975 (age 49)
Origin	Hamme, Belgium
Genres	Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress, host, musical actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Studio 100, Sony BMG
Associated acts	K3 (1998–2016)

Kristel Philemon Charlotte Verbeke (born on 10 December 1975 in Hamme) is a Flemish singer, actress, and TV host. She is best known for being a member of the original K3 group from 1998 to 2015. After leaving the stage, she became the manager for the new K3 from 2015 to 2017. Since then, Kristel has focused on producing TV shows and acting.

Life and Career

Kristel's Early Life

Kristel Verbeke grew up in Hamme, Belgium. When she was 13, her parents divorced. Kristel faced some tough times growing up, experiencing personal losses in her family during her youth. After finishing high school, she studied to become a teacher for Dutch, history, and economics.

Before she became famous with K3, Kristel worked at a bank in Laarne. She also performed in a show honoring singer Ann Christy. Kristel even sang as a backing vocalist for Niels William, who later discovered K3 and became their first manager.

Becoming a K3 Star

Niels William introduced Kristel to Karen Damen and Kathleen Aerts in 1998. He suggested they form a group and try out for the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest. They entered the competition with their song "Heyah Mama." The idea was for K3 to be like the British all-female group "Spice Girls," but for a Flemish audience.

At first, K3 aimed for young adult women, which you can see in their early songs like "Wat ik wil" (What I want). However, their music quickly became super popular with children, and that's where they found huge success!

After "Heyah Mama" became a hit, K3 grew even bigger. In 2002, Niels William sold the band to Studio 100. This company helped K3 become a massive success, leading to lots of merchandise, movies, TV shows, and books.

Kathleen Aerts left the band in 2009. Kristel and Karen continued as a duo for a while. In 2011, they welcomed Josje Huisman to the group after a TV talent show. Later, Kristel and Karen decided it was time for them to leave K3 too. In 2015, Kristel even helped choose the new K3 members in a televised competition. Klaasje Meijer, Hanne Verbruggen, and Marthe De Pillecyn were chosen to be the new K3.

After K3: New Adventures

After leaving the stage, Kristel Verbeke became the new manager for K3, helping the new girls. She did this for two years. In June 2017, she decided to step down as manager to spend more time with her family and work on other exciting projects.

Since then, Kristel has become a TV producer and theater actress. In 2016, she hosted Generation K for Ketnet, an educational show on VRT. In 2021, she hosted Zorgen voor mama (Caring for Mom), a show about single parents who face financial difficulties. Kristel grew up with limited means herself, so this topic is very important to her. The first season of Zorgen voor mama was even nominated for an award! In 2021, she also acted in the theater comedy Proper Lakens and started filming the second season of Zorgen voor mama.

Personal Life

Kristel Verbeke is married to singer nl:Gene Thomas. They have two daughters named Lily and Nanou.

Discography

Studio Albums

• 1999: Parels
• 2000: Alle Kleuren
• 2001: Tele Romeo
• 2002: Verliefd
• 2003: Oya Lele
• 2004: De Wereld Rond
• 2005: Kuma He
• 2006: Ya Ya Yippee
• 2007: Kusjes
• 2009: MaMaSé!
• 2011: Alice in Wonderland
• 2011: Eyo!
• 2012: Engeltjes
• 2013: Loko le

Filmography