# Kristel Verbeke

Kristel Philemon Charlotte Verbeke (born 10 December 1975 in Hamme) is a Flemish singer, actress and host. She is known for being a member of the first K3 group, from 1998 until 2015. In 2015, she became the manager of the new K3, remaining in this position until 2017. Since then, Verbeke focused on TV producing and acting.

## Life and career
### Early life

When Verbeke was 13, her parents divorced. She lived with her father but kept in touch with her mother. Her two sisters died in their youth. Her younger sister, Véronique died at home at age 11 due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and her older sister Isabelle died in a car accident at age 21. Her father died of lung cancer at the beginning of the K3 breakthrough. After completing secondary education, she studied to be a teacher (regent) for Dutch, history and economics.
Before meeting the other two K3 members Karen Damen and Kathleen Aerts in 1998, she worked as a bank clerk in Laarne and performed in an homage to Ann Christy together with Robert Mosuse, Andrea Croonenberghs and Pascale Michiels. She also sang as a backing vocalist for Niels William, who later became the discoverer and very first manager of K3.

### K3

William introduced Verbeke to Damen and Aerts, and suggested they participate in the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest. They then entered the preselection's with the song "Heyah Mama". The intention was to make the group the Flemish version of the British all-female group "Spice Girls". Thus, K3 was composed of all females in their twenties, and like the Spice Girls, women in their twenties where originally the target audience. This is noticeable in their early lyrics including their first single, "Wat ik wil" (What I want), whose release was not very successful. Eventually, the group achieved great success with adults, but especially with children.
K3 achieved success after the release of "Heyah Mama," and in 2002 William sold the band to Studio 100. The production company made them an even bigger success, with merchandising, film, TV series and books also being released. Aerts left the band in 2009, while Verbeke and Damen kept on. From 27-29 May 2011, Verbeke, with K3, were guests at De Toppers in the Johan Cruyff Arena (then known as Amsterdam ArenA.) Verbeke and Damen participated to a talent show airing on VTM. Thereafter they made Josje Huisman join the band. Later it was announced that also Verbeke and Damen would leave the band. After K3's label announced that they would look for new members in late 2015, Verbeke herself helped to choose her successor in a televised competition to determine the new K3. The competition started airing in the Netherlands and Belgium in August 2015. Klaasje Meijer, Hanne Verbruggen and Marthe De Pillecyn were designated as the new K3.
Verbeke was then appointed as the new manager of K3 by Studio 100. After two years in this position, in June 2017, she announced that she was stepping down as manager of K3 to make more time for her family and focus on other projects.

### Post K3

After leaving K3, Verbeke emerged as a TV producer and theater actress. In 2016, she presented Generation K for Ketnet, an educational program broadcast by VRT. In 2021, she presented the TV program Zorgen voor mama, a docuseries about single parents in poverty. Verbeke grew up poor herself and has been putting this topic on the agenda. The first season of Zorgen voor mama was nominated for the Prix d'Europe in the best documentary category. In the spring of 2021, she rejoined Sven De Ridder in the theater comedy Proper Lakens, while also starting to record the second season of Zorgen voor mama.

## Personal life

She married singer Gene Thomas and has two daughters, 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

Film :
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | K3 en het Magische Medaillon | Kristel, main role | First K3 theater movie |
| 2006 | K3 en het Ijsprinsesje | Kristel, main role | |
| 2006 | Piet Piraat en het Vliegende Schip | The Blue Flesh-eating Plant | Voice only |
| 2007 | K3 en de Kattenprins | Kristel, main role | |
| 2010 | Wicky The Viking: The Movie | Lee Fu | Voice only, (Dutch Dub) |
| 2012 | K3 Bengeltjes | Kristel, main role | Sequel following the sitcom. |
| 2014 | K3 Dierenhotel | Kristel, main role | Sequel to K3 Bengeltjes |
| 2014 | How To Train Your Dragon 2 | Valka | Flemish Dub |
| 2015 | Phantom Boy | Mom | (Dutch/Flemish Dub) |
| Television ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999,2002 | Samson & Gert | Herself, special guest appearance | "K3 Komt Op Bezoek" & "K3 Komt Niet" |
| 2003–2015 | De Wereld van K3 | Herself, host | Talkshow |
| 2005 | FC De Kampioenen | Herself | Cameo, "Het Lied" |
| 2009 | De Pfaffs | Herself | Reality series, guest appearance |
| 2009 | K2 Zoekt K3 | Herself | Talentshow to search for the new K3 member |
| 2010 | De Pfaffs | Herself | Reality series, guest appearance |
| 2010 | Hallo K3! | Kristel, main role | Sitcom, 2010–2012 |
| 2014–2016 | Ghostrockers | Elvira De Neve | Recurring role |
| 2015 | Perfect!? | Herself | Reality series, guest appearance |
| 2015 | K3 zoekt K3 | Herself | Judge, talentshow to search for new members for K3 |
| 2016 | Nieuwe Buren | Herself | Reality series, guest appearance |
| 2016–present | Generatie K | Herself | Host |