K3 meters of separation

This was the K3 display at Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam before Kathleen Aerts announced this week that she is quitting the Belgian Pop music group.

K3 in wax at Madame Tussauds, Amsterdam

After Kathleen’s announcement, the museum symbolically moved her figure three meters away from Kristel’s and Karen’s still lifes in wax (or whatever material is used nowadays), and the sign now says ‘K2’. “We find the picture of Kathleen still an important piece in our collection,” says Annemiek Dolfin of Madame Tussauds. “She has sung for ten years for K3 and remains a celebrity.”

K2 at Madame Tussauds, Amsterdam

When I first saw K3 in wax, I thought it was a surreal display for the museum to put together, but now it seems prophetic to have the ladies frozen in time this way, because K3 has stopped, and where they go from here is unknown.

On Monday, Studio 100 released a statement about Kathleen and the future of K3. I’ve taken a Google translation and edited it for easier reading.

Continue reading K3 meters of separation

My ‘Dinosaurs’

I once read a quote from sci-fi author Ray Bradbury, in which he explained that he liked to carry toy dinosaurs around. He’d pull them out of his pocket to show off, and whenever somebody was disapproving, or thought they were silly, he’d say, “Fine. Then I’m taking my dinosaurs and going home.”

I’ll be posting an item — OK, make it two with this one — about the breakup of Belgian girl group K3. Officially, Kathleen Aerts is leaving while Karen Damen and Kristel Verbeke are carrying on, but I don’t see how they can keep it going.

On a Dutch entertainment web log, this appeared the morning of Kathleen’s announcement (edited from a Google translation):

The rumor machine is running at full speed. Half an hour ago, a press release was broadcast that at the end of this afternoon a press conference will take place in Antwerp on the future of K3. On Twitter are the rumors that K3 will fall apart. It’s no strange thought, because now the ladies Karen, Kristel and Kathleen are too old for kiddie pop. We will of course keep you informed …

This was the sad scene three days ago, at that hastily prepared press conference, announcing Kathleen’s departure. Consider K3 to be my toy dinosaurs.

Kathleen Aerts quits

Karen Damen of K3

Karen Damen and Kristel Verbeke of K3