Katherine Jenkins

Katherine Jenkins is, without question, a completely new type of superstar in the opera world, yet fundamentally different from the typical image of an opera star: theatrical, old-fashioned, overweight, and somewhat reserved. Not only does Katherine invent new forms of classical crossover, but what makes her special is her ability to combine glamour with down-to-earth charm. Far from being aloof, she is very approachable, captivating, and compassionate. She is dedicated to helping others. Her first album, aptly titled 'Premiere,' sold an astonishing 30,000 copies in its first week. No other album by a mezzo-soprano had been so coveted right from the start. She captivates so many people that she even overshadows legendary figures like Maria Callas. She is the only singer in music history to simultaneously hold the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd spots on the classical charts. She achieved this with her three albums 'Premiere,' 'Second Nature,' and in 2005, 'Living the Dream.' 'Living The Dream' also reached number 4 on the pop album charts, while holding the top spot on the classical charts for an incredible 47 weeks. In doing so, Katherine seems to emulate idols like Marilyn Monroe and Madonna. She combines the look of an innocent starlet with shrewd business acumen. "I don't even know where the idea comes from that opera is only for privileged, elite people. I'm just as happy singing in front of 70,000 people at the Millennium Stadium as I am in front of a few hundred listeners in a small concert hall." Katherine was born 26 years ago in Neath, South Wales. Her parents realized very early on what a uniquely talented offspring they had. Katherine's mother ran the local Sunday school at the time, and it wasn't long before Katherine became a firm fixture in the church choir ensemble as a little star. Her father was already retired then and took care of driving Katherine to music lessons, moving heaven and earth to help her develop her musical talent. In 1993, Katherine was awarded BBC Welsh Choirgirl of the Year. The sudden death of her father was a severe blow to Katherine, who was only fifteen at the time. This sad event still accompanies her today – and you can hear it in her voice. Yes, perhaps this is the secret of her special voice. And then there's this contradiction in her: young, vibrant, always with a smile on her face, yet blessed with a voice that touches your soul. "I know how much my father championed me, and I try to put my whole heart into everything I do – and I do it for him. My sister and I spent so much time with him. I had no brothers. Losing my father was devastating for me because he was the only man in my life when I was fifteen. It happened two weeks before my school leaving exams. It was really touch and go whether I would take them. But my father always wanted me to. It's still a mystery to me how I managed it, but in the end, it worked out. There are certain moments when I know he's present. It's as if I'm singing to him. I had that feeling when I accepted the BRIT Award too. I felt he was there.” Katherine won BRIT Awards two years in a row, one for 'Second Nature,' the next for 'Living The Dream.' She is the only female artist ever to win the Classical BRIT Awards twice consecutively. She has performed on the most prestigious stages in the world, at the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which is almost her home turf, having sung there at least 12 times – including two performances for the FA Cup finals, England's biggest football cup competition, two Rugby League Challenge Cup finals, at least eight international Welsh Rugby matches, and at the Tsunami Concert. Katherine is a very passionate young woman, yet also an outspoken perfectionist. She believes in love at first sight and trusts the voice of her heart. This is a daring balancing act, as she knows full well that she must also focus with full force on her career. Katherine lives entirely in the moment. "You never know how long your happiness will last." Her rise can only be described as meteoric: from a school teacher to a superstar in just a few months. But Katherine is far from getting carried away: "I've been singing since I was four years old – I didn't become an overnight sensation!" After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music (with Honours), Katherine supported herself with various jobs – both mentally and physically. She modeled on the side ("I really hated the long sitting around and waiting") or was a tour guide at the London Eye, Europe's largest Ferris wheel. Her career began when she thoroughly enjoyed teaching singing at a school in Hertfordshire and was one day invited by Universal Records to showcase her talent. The result was the signing of a six-album record deal. This happened in 2003. In the same year, the album 'Premiere' was released – and the rest is history. Her pride and joy is her dog, a small Jack Russell. "He's such a cute guy, cream-colored with a few dark spots like chocolate and big eyes. I take every opportunity to do something with him. I even take him to the gym. He helps me a lot to relieve stress! I spend as much time as possible with friends, go out to dinner with them, or I'm with my family. What could be better than a Sunday roast!” In 2005, Katherine performed at London's Trafalgar Square for Victory in Europe Day and was subsequently dubbed "the new Forces sweetheart!" – the new sweetheart of the British troops. At Live 8, she sang in Berlin, as well as London and Edinburgh. She has also performed for members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace, and sang for Cherie and Tony Blair at a gala dinner hosted by the Breast Cancer Care organization at Chequers. Christmas 2005, she visited British troops in Basra, Iraq, and sang for the soldiers. "I am a trustee of the British Forces Foundation, a charity that raises money to provide entertainment programs for British troops. It is the only non-profit organization in the UK that engages artists who are not paid for their efforts. Artists can thus make a special social contribution. We traveled in military helicopters so huge that several Land Rovers could easily fit inside. We flew for eighteen hours from one military base to the next. I was never afraid, not even when the helicopter made an abrupt dive from 2,000 down to 500 feet to avoid a surface-to-air missile. My arms and legs were in the air, everyone was screaming wildly – but in the end, everything went well. Close your eyes and push through, on to the next show!” "I then got back just in time to get properly dolled up for Christmas Eve with my sister. We spent it at the pub at home. And everyone else was quite surprised: 'Weren't you just on the news? Weren't you in Iraq?' – 'Yes,' I said, 'that was this afternoon.' I believe either God or my father had his protective hand over us, that that missile didn't hit us." 2006 was a year in which Katherine's career further consolidated. Her shows were sold out from spring to summer in diverse locations such as Lisbon, Miami, Dubai, and Tokyo. In June 2006, Katherine was exclusively named "Face of Montblanc" by MontBlanc International for three years, significantly shaping the marketing of their new women's jewelry range. At the end of 2006, Katherine toured Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. All her performances were sold out. She also released her fourth album with Universal during this time. This became her fourth number 1 album on the classical charts, and it also stormed the pop charts. In 2007, Katherine's career with Universal will take another global leap. The first major kickoff in February is an appearance at Fashion Week in Milan. In March, Katherine will also be a guest of honor at Dame Vera Lynn's 90th birthday and will have her first acting appearance in the popular British show Emmerdale in May. With surprise visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, she will continue her role as Entertainment Ambassador for the British troops. In addition, another performance at the Royal Albert Hall is planned for November, which will take place as part of the British Legion Festival of Remembrance. Katherine plans visits to China, Dubai, the USA, and also closer to home, in France, where she will artistically accompany the Welsh Rugby Team for the 2007 World Cup. Katherine combines a sense of duty with enchanting glamour in a very unusual way. She has already reached the top – and yet her star will undoubtedly continue to rise!