Emma Kok

Dutch singer (born 2008)

Emma Kok

Kok in 2022

Background information
Born|  (2008-03-12) 12 March 2008 (age 17)
Maastricht, Netherlands
Origin| Kerkrade, Netherlands
Genres| Pop
Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter

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 more than 80 million views on YouTube.[3]

## Early life

[edit]

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]

She has gastroparesis and has been dependent on a feeding tube since the age of nine months.[12][13][14] She stated that she had been bullied in school because of her illness and consequential smaller stature.[15]

## Career

[edit]

### 2021–2022: The Voice Kids

[edit]

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

[edit]

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 André Rieu on his forthcoming tour in 2025.[36]

## Other work

[edit]

In 2023, Kok founded Gastrostars, a foundation to help patients with gastroparesis.[6][37]

## Discography

[edit]

### Singles

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Album

|
|

"Laat Mij Een Vlinder Zijn"  | 2022  | Non-album single
"Strijder"  | 2023  | Non-album single
"Voilà"
(with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra) | Non-album single
"White Christmas"
(with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra) | Non-album single
"All I Want for Christmas Is You"
(with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra) | Non-album single
"Voilà"
(with Helene Fischer) | Non-album single
"Dancing On The Stars"
(with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra) | 2024  | Non-album single
"Jade"  | 2025  | Non-album single

## References

[edit]

1. ^ @emmakokofficial; (12 March 2024). "it's my sweet 16 🤍 happy bday to me 🤭" - via Instagram.
2. ^ @emmakokofficial; (12 March 2023). ""Cause When You're 15" 🤭 #happybdaytome" - via Instagram.
3. ^ 15 Year Old Emma Kok Sings Voilà – André Rieu, Maastricht 2023 (official video). André Rieu. 3 August 2023 - via YouTube.
4. ^ "André Rieu en Emma Kok, authentiek en onbevangen". De Limburger (in Dutch). 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ a b Rekers, Sterre (18 December 2023). "2023 was een topjaar voor Emma Kok: 'Nu op wereldtour'". Linda (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
7. ^ @emmakokofficial; (30 September 2023). "Brother and Sisters day 💗 I love you to the 🌙 and back" - via Instagram.
8. ^ 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.
9. ^ Doesborg, Tom (14 October 2022). "Violist Enzo Kok: 'Ik ben geen wonderkind'". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ a b Kösters, Carlijn (28 May 2021). "Voice Kids-finalist Emma doorbreekt taboes met ziekte". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ Curfs, Renate (21 July 2023). "Emma (15) heeft gastroparese: 'Met sondevoeding kun je honderd worden'". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
14. ^ "Emma Kok, winnares van The Voice Kids, ambassadeur van Kinder onderzoekfonds Limburg". Navenant (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2023.
15. ^ Interview met Emma Kok over pesten en gastroparesis (in Dutch). Maikel Bergman. 11 February 2023 - via YouTube.
16. ^ 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.
17. ^ Goldhoorn, Charlotte (30 July 2021). "Emma Kok treedt op op benefietconcert voor Limburg". Kidsweek (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
18. ^ van der Weerden, Tim (11 March 2022). "The Voice Kids-winnares Emma brengt eerste single uit". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
19. ^ Hoekstra, Ivar (11 March 2022). "Eerste single Emma Kok is uit: 'Dit lied is mijn verhaal'". De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
20. ^ 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.
21. ^ de Heus, Maurice (7 July 2023). "Emma Kok in extase over optreden bij Andre Rieu". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ Pollemans, Joël (19 August 2023). "Tienerster kampt al jaren met gezondheidsproblemen: het verborgen verdriet van Emma Kok". Story (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
24. ^ Hartman, Fleur (11 August 2023). "André Rieu en 15-jarige Emma brengen hun versie van 'Voilà' uit". Story (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
25. ^ @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.
26. ^ @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.
27. ^ Hoekstra, Ivar (10 December 2023). "Staande ovatie: onweerstaanbare Emma Kok geeft kerstconcert André Rieu extra dimensie". De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
28. ^ Nijen Twilhaar, Harrie (4 December 2023). "Helene Fischer strikt Emma Kok voor 'atemlos' optreden in kerstshow". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 May 2024.
29. ^ Laarman, Maura (21 December 2023). "Emma Kok enthousiast na super jaar: 'Alle dromen uitgekomen'". L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 May 2024.
30. ^ 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.
31. ^ Rebergen, Machiel (25 December 2023). "Eerst kerst in Kerkrade, dan gaat Emma Kok (15) op wereldtournee". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
32. ^ Versteegen, Paul (23 April 2024). "Emma Kok deelt Musical Award uit". ZO-NWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2024.
33. ^ 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.
34. ^ Schreuder, Christianne (6 May 2024). "Emma Kok over 5-meiconcert: 'Máxima kwam meteen naar me toe'". L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2024.
35. ^ 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.
36. ^ Schmid, Timo (9 October 2024). "Emma Kok gaat opnieuw een jaar op wereldtournee met Rieu: 'Is een tweede thuis geworden'". L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
37. ^ Lemmens, Ingrid (5 June 2023). "Emma Kok richt stichting op voor eigen ziekte". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Gastrostars website

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

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