Dutch singer (born 2008)
Emma Kok
Kok in 2022
Born (2008-03-12 ) 12 March 2008 (age 16) Maastricht , NetherlandsOrigin Kerkrade , NetherlandsGenres Pop Occupations Instrument Vocals Years active 2021–present Website emmakok .com
Musical artist
Emma Kok (born 12 March 2008[ 1] [ 2] ) is a Dutch singer. She rose to prominence in 2021 after winning the tenth season of The Voice Kids . In 2023, her performance of "Voilà " with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra went viral , amassing over 70 million views on YouTube .[ 3]
Early life
Emma Kok was born in Maastricht and grew up in Kerkrade .[ 4] Her parents, Vico and Nathalie Kok, are both musicians who met at a concert hall.[ 5] [ 6] She has two siblings: a brother named Enzo and a sister named Sophie.[ 7] Enzo is a violinist[ 8] [ 9] and Sophie is a classical singer.[ 10] [ 11]
Kok has gastroparesis [ 12] [ 13] and has been dependent on a feeding tube since the age of nine months.[ 14] She stated that she had been bullied in school because of her illness and consequential smaller stature.[ 15]
Career
2021–2022: The Voice Kids
In June 2021, Kok won the tenth season of The Voice Kids under the coaching of rapper Ali B .[ 11] [ 16] In August of that year, she sang at a benefit concert for the victims of the 2021 European floods in Limburg .[ 17]
On 11 March 2022, Kok released her first single, "Laat Mij Een Vlinder Zijn".[ 18] [ 19]
2023–present: Ministars , "Voilà", André Rieu collaborations
In February 2023, Kok won the inaugural season of Ministars [nl ] with her rendition of "Voilà " by Barbara Pravi .[ 20] Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu , also from Maastricht, was reportedly so impressed with Kok's performance that he invited her to perform "Voilà" at his annual concert series at the Vrijthof in July 2023.[ 21] This performance soon went viral , amassing 2.6 million views in five days.[ 22] [ 23] She went on to release three covers with Rieu in 2023: "Voilà",[ 24] "White Christmas ",[ 25] and "All I Want for Christmas Is You ".[ 26] She also participated in Rieu's Christmas concerts at the MECC Maastricht in December 2023.[ 27] On Christmas, she was a guest on Die Helene Fischer Show [de ] , where she sang "Voilà" with Helene Fischer .[ 28] [ 29]
Kok joined André Rieu on his world tour beginning in January 2024.[ 30] [ 31] On 24 April 2024, she was a presenter at the Musical Awards Gala [nl ] in Leusden .[ 32] The following month, on Liberation Day , she sang at the annual 5 Mei-Concert on the Amstel in Amsterdam . The concert was attended by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima .[ 33] [ 34] [ 35] In October 2024, Kok was confirmed to be joining Andre Rieu on his forthcoming tour in 2025.
Other work
In 2023, Kok founded Gastrostars, a foundation to help patients with gastroparesis.[ 6] [ 36]
Discography
Singles
References
^ @emmakokofficial (12 March 2024). "it's my sweet 16 🤍 happy bday to me 🤭" – via Instagram .
^ @emmakokofficial (12 March 2023). " "Cause When You're 15" 🤭 #happybdaytome" – via Instagram .
^ 15 Year Old Emma Kok Sings Voilà – André Rieu, Maastricht 2023 (official video) . André Rieu. 3 August 2023 – via YouTube .
^ "André Rieu en Emma Kok, authentiek en onbevangen" . De Limburger (in Dutch). 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024 .
^ Thewissen, Pascale (14 July 2023). "Na talentenshows zingt Emma Kok (15) nu bij André Rieu: 'Als ze van het podium komt, zegt ze: dat was cool. Morgen weer' " . De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ a b Rekers, Sterre (18 December 2023). "2023 was een topjaar voor Emma Kok: 'Nu op wereldtour' " . Linda (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ @emmakokofficial (30 September 2023). "Brother and Sisters day 💗 I love you to the 🌙 and back" – via Instagram .
^ van den Camp, Jos (4 May 2020). "Violist Enzo Kok (17) op de bres en bühne voor getroffen artiesten" . De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Doesborg, Tom (14 October 2022). "Violist Enzo Kok: 'Ik ben geen wonderkind' " . 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Hoekstra, Ivar (3 June 2021). "Emma van The Voice Kids uit Kerkrade is niet het enige talent in het gezin: 'Wij zijn nooit jaloers op elkaar' " . De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ a b Kösters, Carlijn (28 May 2021). "Voice Kids-finalist Emma doorbreekt taboes met ziekte" . 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Meeuwissen, Marjanka (10 September 2023). "Tienerster Emma Kok (15) wil wereldberoemd én gezond worden, maar dat laatste zal niet lukken" . RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ Curfs, Renate (21 July 2023). "Emma (15) heeft gastroparese: 'Met sondevoeding kun je honderd worden' " . De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ "Emma Kok, winnares van The Voice Kids, ambassadeur van Kinder onderzoekfonds Limburg" . Navenant (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2023 .
^ Interview met Emma Kok over pesten en gastroparesis (in Dutch). Maikel Bergman. 11 February 2023 – via YouTube .
^ van Wijk, Leon (4 June 2021). "1,2 miljoen mensen zien dit jonge talent The Voice Kids winnen" . Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ Goldhoorn, Charlotte (30 July 2021). "Emma Kok treedt op op benefietconcert voor Limburg" . Kidsweek (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ van der Weerden, Tim (11 March 2022). "The Voice Kids-winnares Emma brengt eerste single uit" . 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Hoekstra, Ivar (11 March 2022). "Eerste single Emma Kok is uit: 'Dit lied is mijn verhaal' " . De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ van Wijk, Leon (18 February 2023). "SBS 6-show Ministars past regels aan vanwege bijzonder doel van winnaar Emma (14)" . Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ de Heus, Maurice (7 July 2023). "Emma Kok in extase over optreden bij Andre Rieu" . 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Segers, Maxime (9 August 2023). "15-jarige Emma gaat viraal met vertolking van Voilà: 'Zo extreem had ik niet verwacht' " . Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ Pollemans, Joël (19 August 2023). "Tienerster kampt al jaren met gezondheidsproblemen: het verborgen verdriet van Emma Kok" . Story (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023 .
^ Hartman, Fleur (11 August 2023). "André Rieu en 15-jarige Emma brengen hun versie van 'Voilà' uit" . Story (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ @andrerieu (23 December 2023). "White Christmas by Emma Kok – Experience the magic of 'Christmas with André', where dreams of a white Christmas come to life! ⛄🎄 Stream the full song now on your favorite music app!" – via Instagram .
^ @andrerieu (19 December 2023). "Did you listen to All I Want For Christmas Is You yet? Now available on all streaming services - link in bio! 🔗🤶🏻🎄" – via Instagram .
^ Hoekstra, Ivar (10 December 2023). "Staande ovatie: onweerstaanbare Emma Kok geeft kerstconcert André Rieu extra dimensie" . De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Nijen Twilhaar, Harrie (4 December 2023). "Helene Fischer strikt Emma Kok voor 'atemlos' optreden in kerstshow" . De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Laarman, Maura (21 December 2023). "Emma Kok enthousiast na super jaar: 'Alle dromen uitgekomen' " . L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ van Rhee, Annemart (30 December 2023). "Emma Kok (15) gaat met André Rieu op wereldtournee: 'Ik hoop wel dat ik dan van mijn vliegangst af ben' " . Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Rebergen, Machiel (25 December 2023). "Eerst kerst in Kerkrade, dan gaat Emma Kok (15) op wereldtournee" . RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024 .
^ Versteegen, Paul (23 April 2024). "Emma Kok deelt Musical Award uit" . ZO-NWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2024 .
^ Hoekstra, Ivar (5 May 2024). "Als Emma Kok zingt aan de Amstel, zingt koningin Máxima zachtjes mee" . De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2024 .
^ Schreuder, Christianne (6 May 2024). "Emma Kok over 5-meiconcert: 'Máxima kwam meteen naar me toe' " . L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2024 .
^ Haarman, Sanne (2 May 2024). "Programma, bereikbaarheid en meer praktische info over het 5 mei-concert op de Amstel" . Indebuurt (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2024 .
^ Lemmens, Ingrid (5 June 2023). "Emma Kok richt stichting op voor eigen ziekte" . 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2023 .
External links