Kizzy (entertainer)
Kizzy | |
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File:Kizzy.gif Kizzy in Manhattan | |
Website | http://www.kizzymusic.com |
Kizzy Yuanda Constance Getrouw (born on March 14, 1979) is a Dutch actress, singer-songwriter and television personality. She became a household name in the Netherlands Antilles with a hit album and a weekly TV show. In the United States she is best known for hosting both The Gossip Swapp on XY TV and The Vip with Chris Shine (Kiss 108).
Early years
Kizzy was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, to a Surinamese father and an Antillean mother (Sint Eustatius). At the age of four, her family moved to the Caribbean island of Curacao. Starting at the age of nine, she had lead roles in various televised musicals and plays, and won numerous talent competitions including The European Caribbean Talent Contest in 1995. In the following year she represented the Netherlands Antilles at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union Song Festival in Barbados, finishing in second place . This event enabled her a great degree of fame through Caribbean, West Indian and South American press. Moreover, she performed at award shows, beauty pageants and sang the National Anthem for presidential and big sports events, including The Caribbean Olympics and the Andruw Jones Awards.
Career
Kizzy's career as a singer took off in 1997 with the success of the hit album Lamu-Lamu on Crown Records, which became a number one selling album in the Netherlands Antilles. She also became the host of Wie is er Nieuwsgierig? a successful Dutch TV show that aired twice a week.
In 1998, Kizzy was signed to German label TMP. During the recording sessions in Majorca she was accepted at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship awarded by the Curaçao Government, thanks to her achievements at the CBU. Kizzy moved to Boston, MA. Her German CD was not released.
In the summer of 1999 Kizzy flew to Amsterdam to host and perform at the Kwakoe Festival, the Netherlands' biggest annual multicutural festival. She recorded the official commercial that was used to promote the event and the producers of Radio Wereld Omroep in Hilversum recorded a documentary of her career that was aired on TV.
Prior to graduating from Berklee in 2003 with a degree in Performance, she was featured at the college's most prestigious concerts such as Tribute to David Bowie Commencement Concert, Singer's Showcase and The Berklee Gospel Choir. She performed as a back up vocalist for artists such as Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Al Kooper, Grammy nominee Susan Tedeschi, and Grammy award winner Kim Burrell.
Around the same time, Getrouw appeared on the VH1 TV series SoundEffects with an interview on her career and a musical performance. In addition, she was featured on the cover of The Improper Bostonian Magazine (January 26 Issue). In 2005, Kizzy Became the lead singer of the Bo Winiker Orchestra.
Trivia
- Chosen by The Improper Bostonian Magazine as one of 'Boston's Top Ten most eligible Bachelorettes' (2005)
- Kizzy's name comes from her parents' inspiration of the hugely popular 1970's TV miniseries: Roots
Filmography
- Wie is er Nieuwsgierig? (1997)
- Sound Affects (2001)
- The VIP (2004-2006)
- Gossip Swap (2006)
- Dirty Water (2007-2008)
Discography
- Cocktail, Lamu - Lamu (1997)
- production: Adeed Oberoi
- Crown Records
References
- 1. Biography - Kizzymusic.com
- 2. The Improper Bostonian Magazine
- 3. Berklee Today 'Breakin' In' Professional Activities of Berklee Students
- 4. Mallorca Magazine
- 5. Beurs en Nieuws Berichten
- 6. RingBang Magazine