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K3 (band)
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Contents K3 is a Belgian-Dutch girl group with a Dutch repertoire, whose current line-up is
K3
Featured content composed of Hanne Verbruggen, Marthe De Pillecyn and Klaasje Meijer, mainly aimed at
Current events pre-adolescent children. The name of the group is derived from first letters of the three
Random article original members' first names: Karen Damen, Kristel Verbeke and Kathleen Aerts.
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store Kathleen Aerts left the group in 2009. Josje Huisman was chosen as K3's new member on
October 3, 2009. Their music is produced by production company Studio 100 and is written
Interaction by Miguel Wiels, Alain Vande Putte and Peter Gillis. K3 was founded by Niels William.
Help
The band became famous without any airplay from the regular music television channels
About Wikipedia
like MTV, instead marketing directly to children via children- and cartoon-channels.[1] Background information
Community portal
Origin Belgium
Recent changes Their signature is that the girls in the group all three mostly wear the same outfit. The band
Contact page Genres Pop
is mostly known as one of Europe's biggest acts[citation needed] and longest running girl
Instruments Vocals
Tools band and they are famous for their poppy-happy songs[citation needed] and K3
Years active 1998–present
What links here dances.[citation needed]
Labels BMG (1999–2002)
Related changes
Contents [hide] Studio 100 (2002–present)
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1 Career Website Official website (Dutch)
Special pages
Permanent link 1.1 Rise to fame (1998–2002) Members Klaasje Meijer
Page information 1.2 Joining Studio 100 (2002–09) Marthe De Pillecyn
Wikidata item
1.3 Line-up change (2009–10) Hanne Verbruggen
Cite this page
1.4 Further success (2010–14) Past members Kathleen Aerts
1.5 The new K3 (2015–present) Karen Damen
Print/export
Josje Huisman
Create a book 2 Members
Kristel Verbeke
Download as PDF 2.1 Timeline
Printable version 3 Musicals
4 K3 Museum
In other projects
5 Projects in other languages
Wikimedia Commons
6 Band members in non-K3 activities
Languages 7 Discography
Čeština 8 Filmography
Deutsch 9 See also
Español 10 References
Français
11 External links
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
Русский
Career [ edit ]

Svenska
Edit links Rise to fame (1998–2002) [ edit ]

The band K3 started by Niels William. Initially their goal was to be the Flemish version of
the Spice Girls, and they had females in their twenties as their target audience, which is
noticeable in their early song lyrics. Their first single, "Wat ik wil" (What I want), was not
very successful.

In 1999 K3 participated in the live television shows to select the Belgian entry for the
Eurovision Song Contest, with their song "Heyah Mama". The song was not well received
by one of the judges, Marcel Vanthilt, who referred to the band members as assorted meat K3 performance - Oostende - 2001
products. Notwithstanding, "Heyah Mama" was released as a single and became the first
big hit for the band, staying at the number one spot of the Flemish Ultratop 50 chart for 25
weeks. Their next two singles also reached the number one position, resulting in an
uninterrupted period of 32 weeks in which a K3 song was at the top of that chart. About a
year after becoming famous in Flanders, K3 also became famous in the Netherlands.

Their songs are written by Miguel Wiels, Alain Vande Putte and Peter Gillis. This trio
previously collaborated as songwriters for Flemish singer Isabelle A.

K3 is noted for being the first pop act to break through to the top of the charts without
receiving any airplay from the regular music television channels like MTV and TMF. Niels
William's new marketing concept was based on promotion via children and cartoon K3 performance - Hasselt - April 2006

channels like Fox Kids.[1]

Joining Studio 100 (2002–09) [ edit ]

In 2002, Niels William sold the band to Studio 100, a Flemish television production company for Dutch and Belgian children's programs.

Songs like "Heyah Mama", "I love you baby", "Alle Kleuren" (All colours), "Blub, ik ben een vis!" (Blub, I'm a fish!), "Tele-Romeo",
"Toveren" (Magic), "Verliefd" (In love), "De 3 biggetjes" (The Three Little Piglets), "Oya lélé", "Hart verloren" (Lost heart),
"Liefdeskapitein" (Captain of Love), "Kuma He", "Ya Ya Yippee", "Dokter Dokter" (Doctor doctor) and "Kusjesdag" (Kisses Day) were hits
for the band. K3 has released nine albums. Their eighth album Ya Ya Yippee sold more than 50,000 copies in pre-sales within the
Benelux. The ninth album, Kusjes (Kisses), sold 20,000.

K3 has a children's television program called De wereld van K3 (K3's World). Originally there were Dutch and Flemish versions, but only
the Dutch version remains.

The band has released several DVD's with video clips, musicals and films, and with specially recorded footage like K3 in de Ardennen
(K3 in the Ardennes).

In 2007 a team from Madame Tussauds in London took measurements of the band members for wax statues.[2] K3 unveiled these wax
statues at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam on 4 July 2007.[3]

On 10 May 2008, the band celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a new show 10 jaar K3 (10 years of k3). It was also celebrated in
Plopsaland, a popular theme park for kids. They opened the K3 museum, in which there's an overview of their career. Pieces include
show outfits, interviews and props from the movies like the flying scooters from K3 en het magische medaillon (k3 and the magic
mediallon), and their numerous golden and platinum records.

Line-up change (2009–10) [ edit ]

On Monday March 23, 2009, Kathleen, the blonde singer, announced her departure at a press conference. "It was a tough decision, after
all I gave the best years of my life to K3. People change and life is constantly in motion; I'm 30 now and after ten years it's time to move
on". She made her last two appearances with K3 in June at a Studio 100 showcase at the Rotterdam Ahoy. Karen and Kristel would then
search for a replacement on television.[4]

Belgian shownews-programme De Rode Loper reported that two celebrities were auditioning for the vacant spot but this appeared to be
an April Fool's joke. Meanwhile, Kathleen has signed up for UNICEF ambassadorship and is likely to quit singing altogether.

The two remaining members of K3 kept searching for a new member. This time through a talent show called 'K2 zoekt K3' ('K2 searching
for K3'). In the final episode the Dutch Josje Huisman was chosen as the newest member of K3.

Further success (2010–14) [ edit ]

In 2010 K3 shot new episodes for their kids-talkshow (this time with Josje) and also started their own sitcom called "Hello K3", in which
they portray fictional versions of themselves living in the same building and trying to balance a normal life with being superstars. This
creates comic situations reminiscent of the television series The Monkees and also Friends. The first season of sitcom aired on
television in fall 2010. A new single with the same name was also released on 15 September, on the album Eyo!. Their sitcom was also
renewed for a second season which premiered in the Netherlands and Belgium in September 2011. In 2012 they released their album
Engeltjes acompanianied by their fourth movie K3 Bengeltjes. In 2013 they released their album Loko Le and their fifth movie K3
Animalhotel.

In 2014 they also started a new unscripted TV-show, 'K3 kan het!' (K3 can do it!'), in which they travel through Belgium and the
Netherlands to help children fulfil their dreams.

The new K3 (2015–present) [ edit ]

On March 18, 2015, it was announced that all current members would leave the group. K3's label has announced however that they'll
look for new members in late 2015.[5] A televised competition to determine who would become the new K3 started airing in the
Netherlands and Belgium in August 2015. In November of that same year Marthe De Pillecyn, Hanne Verbuggen and Klaasje Meijer had
been chosen as Karen, Kristel and Josje's successors (respectively) and would become the new K3.

Later it had also been revealed that Kristel Verbeke, one of the original members, would become their new manager.[6]

Members [ edit ]

Name Date of birth Place of birth

Klaasje Meijer 2 March 1995 (age 23) Lutjegast, Netherlands
Marthe De Pillecyn 16 July 1996 (age 22) Duffel, Belgium
Hanne Verbruggen 3 March 1994 (age 24) Hamme, Belgium

Former members

Name Date of birth Position

Kathleen Aerts 18 June 1978 (age 40) Geel, Belgium
Karen Damen 28 October 1974 (age 44) Wilrijk, Belgium
Josje Huisman 16 February 1986 (age 32) Heusden, Netherlands
Kristel Verbeke 10 December 1975 (age 42) Hamme, Belgium

Members gallery

Kathleen Aerts (1998–2009) Karen Damen (1998–2015) Kristel Verbeke (1998–2015)

Josje Huisman (2009–2015) Marthe De Pillecyn (2015–) Klaasje Meijer (2015–)

Hanne Verbruggen (2015–)

Timeline [ edit ]

Member '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18
Kathleen Aerts
Karen Damen
Kristel Verbeke
Josje Huisman
Hanne Verbruggen
Marthe De Pillecyn
Klaasje Meijer

Line Ups

1998–2009 2009–2015 2015–

Musicals [ edit ]

K3 performed in several musicals. In Doornroosje (Sleeping Beauty), during 2002, they played three good fairies and in De 3 biggetjes
(The three piglets), during 2003. They played the eponymous three piglets, Knirrie (Verbeke), Knarrie (Damen) and Knorrie (Aerts) and
reprised these roles in 2007 for a tour of both Belgium and the Netherlands.

In 2011 they came back with a new musical Alice In Wonderland (the first 3D-Musical in the whole world) this time with Josje Huisman,
who had joined the group the previous year. The musical is the first live musical to use 3D projections. The production toured Belgium
and the Netherlands in 2011.

K3 Museum [ edit ]

On 10 June 2006 a party was held at Plopsaland to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Studio 100. At this occasion the band members
opened the K3 Museum which provides an overview of their career. There are interviews, clothes and props from the films to be seen,
including the air scooters from the film K3 en het Magische Medaillon (K3 and the magic medallion). The countless gold and platinum
discs can be seen too.

Projects in other languages [ edit ]

In 2002 K3 recorded English, French and German versions of their Tele-Romeo album.

After having sold K3 to Studio 100, the founder Niels William moved to South Africa in 2002 and started his own music studio there. In
March 2007 he launched X4, a 4-girl group singing translations of K3-songs in Afrikaans and English. They released one album: Heyah
Mama, which also featured the single of the same name.[7]

In May 2007 Studio 100 launched a German version of K3: Wir 3. They do not only sing translated versions of K3 songs (starting off with
Heyah Mama) they're also modelled after the originals (consisting of a redhead, a brunette and a blonde). [8]

In October 2017 Studio 100 launched (with producer group Tako Media and largest commercial TV Polsat) a Polish version K3 as My3 .
Polish version started with debuted song "Mammaje". [9] Three girls from Polish version K3 is host children programm My3 (local version
format programm "Iedereen K3") started in 11 October 2017 on TV Polsat. [10] In 7th April 2018 TV Polsat changed time broadcast
programm. In this time this television presented two new episides "My3" in Saturday 09:15 and 09:45 CET. [11] Before TV Polsat
broadcast "My3" in weekend (Saturday and Sunday) on 07:45 CET with one new episode for every this days - in week TV Polsat
broadcast two new episodes. In 26 January 2018 group "My3" released debut album with 12 authors songs presented before in
programm on TV Polsat and next in YouTube.[12] In 25 May 2018 group "My3" released second album with 3 authors songs and 7
covers popular old Polish hits. [13] Polish group "My3" not copy songs from K3 but it creates brand new songs.

Band members in non-K3 activities [ edit ]

Aerts was the stand-in for the title role in the musical Sneeuwwitje (Snow White) and during the pregnancy of Verbeke, Aerts played the
title role in De kleine zeemeermin (The Little Mermaid).

From February till May 2008 Verbeke appeared in the musical Pinokkio as Nina de Ballerina, the title character's conscience.

Damen plays a PE teacher in television series Het Huis Anubis (The House of Anubis) for the Dutch Nickelodeon channel.

In September 2007 Damen was a panel judge voting the Belgian entry for Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

The band members have occasionally, separately or collectively, taken part in the television program De Notenclub, which allowed them
to sing a more grown-up repertoire. Miguel Wiels, who is the co-author of most of the K3 songs, is one of the two regular piano players in
the Flemish version of that program. Another songwriter for K3, Alain Vande Putte, has also appeared as singer on that show.

Karen Damen is also a judge on 'Belgium's Got Talent'.

In 2014 Josje Huisman played the main character in the TV-series 'Fashion Planet'. She portrayed a young intern at a prestigious
fashion magazine. The show was cancelled after one season.

In 2018, former member Karen Damen played a role in a movie made by a popular Dutch YouTuber, Dylan Haegens.

Discography [ edit ]

Main article: K3 discography

Studio albums

Parels (1999)
Alle kleuren (2000)
Tele-Romeo (2001)
Verliefd (2002)
Oya lélé (2003)
De wereld rond (2004)
Kuma hé (2005)
Ya ya yippee (2006)
Kusjes (2007)
MaMaSé! (2009)
Eyo! (2011)
Engeltjes (2012)
Loko le (2013)
10.000 Luchtballonnen (2015)
Ushuaia (2016)
Love Cruise (2017)

Filmography [ edit ]

The members of K3 have also starred in several theatrical films and TV-specials. They usually portray fictional versions of themselves,
having all kind of adventures (some magical, some more normal).

In 2004 they released their first theatrical film: K3 en het Magische Medaillon (K3 and the magic medallion). The film premiered on 29
September 2004 and received favourable reviews. In the film Dutch television celebrity Paul de Leeuw played the stark raving mad
genie.

In 2006 the second theatrical film, K3 en het IJsprinsesje (K3 and the little ice princess), was released. In this fairy tale film Carry Tefsen
played the witch at the pancake house, Peter Faber played the king and famous Belgian comedian Urbanus played the wizard. More
than half a million people in Belgium and the Netherlands went to the cinemas to see the threesome melt the spoilt princess' frozen
heart.

The third theatrical film, K3 en de Kattenprins (K3 and the Catprince) had its Dutch premiere on December 20, 2007 and reached gold
status (attendance in excess of 150,000 people) in two weeks time.[citation needed]

On December 12, 2012, a fourth theatrical K3 movie was released, K3 Bengeltjes (K3 Little Dangles), in Belgian and Dutch theaters.
This will be the first movie without Kathleen, Josje's predecessor. The movie in connected to their sitcom, Hallo K3! (Hello K3!), and stars
some of the same actors and characters.

On February 12, 2014, a fifth theatrical K3 movie was released K3 Dierenhotel (K3 Animalhotel), in Belgian and Dutch theaters. This is
the second movie with Josje Huisman and also includes actors and characters from the sitcom.

Recordings of their musicals and concert shows are also released on DVD.

Title Translation DVD release date Remarks

Alle Kleuren All colours 13-9-2001
Tele-Romeo 17-6-2002
Doornroosje, de musical Sleeping Beauty, the musical 23-1-2003 First Musical
Toveren Tour Magic tour 2-5-2003
De 3 biggetjes, de musical The three piglets, the musical 30-10-2003 Second Musical
K3 in de Ardennen K3 in the Ardennes 24-11-2003
K3 in Wonderland K3 in Wonderland 16-2-2004
5 jaar K3 5 years of K3 10-3-2004
K3 en het Magische Medaillon K3 and the magic medallion 27-1-2005 First Bigscreen Movie
De wereld rond Around the world 9-5-2005
K3 in Ahoy K3 in Ahoy 27-4-2006
K3 en het IJsprinsesje K3 and the Little Ice Princess 16-11-2006 Second Bigscreen Movie
K3 in de sneeuw K3 in the snow 10-01-2007
K3 Clipparade K3 clip parade 08-04-2007
K3 Superfan Quiz Game 11-04-2007
K3 en het Heksenexamen K3 and the Witch's exam 23-05-2007
K3 Karaoke 12-11-2007
K3 en de Kattenprins K3 and the Catprince 09-04-2008 Third Bigscreen Movie
K3 en het Toverhart K3 and the magic heart 12-11-2008
K2 terug K3 K2 back K3 10-02-2010 first DVD with Josje Huisman
K3 Show MaMaSé! 19-05-2010
Hallo K3!Volume 1 Hello K3, vol 1 2011 with 3 seasons
K3 en het wensspel! K3 and the wish game 2011 clips of old and new songs
Alice in Wonderland, de musical Alice in Wonderland, the musical 2011 Third Musical
K3 Bengeltjes K3 Little Dangles 2012 Fourth Bigscreen Movie
K3 Dierenhotel K3 Animalhotel 2014 Fifth Bigscreen Movie
K3 Love Cruise

See also [ edit ]

List of best-selling Belgian artists

Wir 3 (en. us three) was the German version of the popular girl group K3.
X4 was the Afrikaner of South African version of K3 (2002-2005).

References [ edit ]

1. ^ a b Cabenda, Pablo (2001-11-26). "Peuterpop". Voorkant (in 8. ^ "K3-variant moet Duitse kinderharten veroveren" (in Dutch).
Dutch). de Volkskrant. p. 9. Telegraaf. 2007-05-25. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
2. ^ "K3 in was gegoten" (in Dutch). Telegraaf. 2007-06-25. 9. ^ "My3 – Polska kopia flamandzkiej grupy K3" (in Polish).
Retrieved 2007-09-11. Naszportal.nl. 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
3. ^ "K3 in was gegoten" (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. 2007-07- 10. ^ " "My3" od listopada w Polsacie. Nowy program dla dzieci i
04. Retrieved 2007-09-11. młodzieży" (in Polish). Media2. 2017-10-25. Retrieved
4. ^ "Kathleen stapt uit K3" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 2009-03-23. 2017-10-25.
Retrieved 2009-03-23. 11. ^ "Polsat zmienia pasmo programu „My3". Podwójna emisja w
5. ^ "Zangeressen van K3 geven stokje door" (in Dutch). NU.nl. sobotnie poranki" (in Polish). tvpolsat.info. 2018-03-25. Retrieved
2015-03-18. Retrieved 2015-11-29. 2018-04-03.

6. ^ "Kristel Verbeke manager nieuwe K3" (in Dutch). NU.nl. 2015- 12. ^ "Debiutancki album My3 już w styczniu" (in Polish). Universal
11-09. Retrieved 2015-11-29. Music Polska. 2017-12-19. Retrieved 2017-12-19.

7. ^ "X4 is Zuid-Afrikaanse versie van K3" (in Dutch). Studio 100. 13. ^ "Drugi album My3" (in Polish). Empik. 2018-04-27. Retrieved
2004-03-13. Retrieved 2007-11-30. 2018-04-30.

Ruysbergh, Jan (2004-03-12). "We beslissen zelf wanneer we stoppen" (in Dutch). Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 2007-09-18.

External links [ edit ]

Official site K3 (Dutch)

Wikimedia Commons has
K3-lyrics Songtexts of K3 media related to K3 (band).
Website van Karen Damen (Dutch)
Kristel Verbeke on IMDb
Karen Damen on IMDb
Kathleen Aerts on IMDb
Alistair MacLean, K3 , flanderstoday.eu, 21 October 2009

V·T·E K3 [hide]

Klaasje Meijer · Marthe De Pillecyn · Hanne Verbruggen

Kathleen Aerts · Karen Damen · Josje Huisman · Kristel Verbeke

Parels · Alle kleuren · Tele-Romeo · Verliefd · Oya lélé · De wereld rond · Kuma hé · Ya ya yippee · Kusjes · MaMaSé! · Eyo! ·
Studio albums
Engeltjes · Loko le · 10.000 luchtballonnen · Ushuaia

Soundtracks Alice in Wonderland

Movies K3 en het Magische Medaillon · K3 en het ijsprinsesje · K3 en de Kattenprins · K3 Bengeltjes · K3 Dierenhotel

TV series De Wereld van K3 · Hallo K3 · K3 Kan Het!

Related articles Discography · Studio 100

Authority control MusicBrainz: a4e99840-0bd5-4925-ad0e-ee85eedec366

Categories: Musical groups established in 1998 Belgian pop music groups Sony BMG artists Dutch girl groups
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This page was last edited on 7 November 2018, at 20:49 (UTC).

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