I am a woman, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a human being as any other human. I just happen to write songs and perform them, and I am lucky to be able to make a living with my music. Other than that, I smile, laugh, and cry, like any other woman.Collection: Smile
Music was never an obligation for me; from a very young age, I understood it as a moment of freedom where you could express yourself. I realized how much joy it could bring and how much that meant to me.
I'm a very optimistic person, woman, mother and singer. And at the same time, I'm very realistic when I look at other aspects of my life.
My mom and dad's friends were gay, and so I was raised with the acknowledgement to love one another, no matter one's sexual orientation.
I've been compared to so many people - Streisand, Celine - it doesn't bother me. Why worry about being compared to the best?
I had 10 years of lessons at the conservatory in Belgium, studying classical music. I learned how to sing, play the piano, and all the theory that I needed. By the time I left, I had confidence in my skills, and I knew that the experience had prepared me to become a real professional.
Growing up, I became a huge fan of Freddie Mercury, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins. That's where I really started developing my songwriting skills on a personal level.
My greatest influence came from my parents' love of classical music. We listened to a lot of arias and operas growing up.
My music reflects the time on which we live, both in terms of arrangements, as well as in the subjects treated in the lyrics.
I believe history of humankind has always faced challenges. I don't think that any other period in history was less problematic then the one in which we live.
I believe in the fact that an audience has one heart. I can just tell you one thing: If I sing the 'Adagio,' and I pull it out with all the honesty I have - whether they're Japanese, Italian, American or Belgian or French - they will react in the same way.
I started songwriting at around age 12, and that was it. I never really stopped. Nothing else ever really crossed my mind. It's truly the expression of who I am.
Do not need to look for reasons to hate when there is reason to love.Collection: Hate
Yes, I was scared, it was like stage fright, but I worked through it. If you've gotten to the door, you shouldn't doubt you can open it.Collection: Doors
Being classically trained gave me the real foundation for music. It's so important in my life. Why was I influenced by all these styles of music? Because it gave me a sense of freedom. It made me feel like I could put my hand in a colored bag and pull out a different colored candy and have fun with it.Collection: Fun
Because English is the universal language. No matter where you come from, if you sing in English, you can cross over to the world.Collection: World
I loved Queen, Journey, Fleetwood Mac, and people like Barbara Streisand. The thing with me is that classical music was also an inspiration. I took piano lessons at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels for 10 years.Collection: Queens