With Luv' from Chimène...

Photo by Co Rnz

The announcement of the recruitment of Chimène van Oosterhout as a Luv' singer in Holland's most-read newspaper "De Telegraaf" on January 4th, 2019 was breaking news. It boosted the most popular Dutch girl group. Since then, the Luv' singers have been non-stop in the spotlight again in every Dutch celebrity gossip magazines (Privé, Story, Weekend and Party) and on entertainment news shows on TV (Shownieuws and 6 Inside (SBS 6) and RTL Boulevard (RTL 4). The ladies have even announced new plans for the future. In addition to their live shows, they will soon release a reggaeton pop single. The track was recorded last month in Miami, Fl and produced by Keith Morrison and Manuel Garrido-Lecca. Henk Schorel, CEO of the multimedia company Viva Canal, facilitated the contact between Luv' and these talented songwriters, sound engineers and producers. Keith, Manuel and Henk have their own sound production company. Morrison and Garrido-Lecca also operate under the Viva Canal flag. The Luv' trio hasn't put out new music for 25 years. Their latest release was the studio album entitled "All You Need Is Luv" in 1994. 

Photo by @Feriettunc 

Long before she joined Luv', Chimène has been very active as a media personality. Since 1996, this polyglot professional (she speaks seven languages fluently!) has hosted TV programs on the major Dutch channels (TROS, Veronica, Yorin and RTL 4, SBS 6 and Net 5). Chimène is also an actress. She appeared on the popular Dutch soap opera "Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden" on RTL 4 and even had one of the leading parts in the American movie "X-Patriots" (2001) which won several awards. The new Luv' lady is also involved in yoga, horse riding, kitesurfing with her son, psychology (she prepares a book about narcissism) and PR activities. 

She is the perfect asset to Luv'. 

Photo by Co Rnz

One day I sent her a message to ask if she accepted to be interviewed. And you know what? She kindly accepted...

Ralph: When and where were you born? What about your family background? 

Chimène: I was born on February 11th, 1964 In Willemstad on Curaçao. My dad is from the Netherlands and my mom from the Antilles. I have a brother who is five and a half years younger than me.

Ralph: As a child did you dream of a career in the entertainment industry? Who were your musical heroes in your early years? What kind of music genre do you prefer today?

Chimène: Well, as a child, I did not dream of a career in the entertainment industry. I wanted to become a writer. My musical heroes were the Supremes, Cher, the Beatles, David Bowie as well as Simon & Garfunkel. Today I appreciate Avicii, Muse and Coldplay.

Ralph: What did you study? You speak at least six languages. What explains this talent?

Chimène: After my A-level, I studied communication and psychology. I speak seven languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish. Well, no other country speaks Dutch, so English was quickly learned. The Germans are our neighbors. I worked for Club Med, so I had to speak French there. I lived on Ibiza with a Frenchman who only spoke French and Spanish at that time. Furthermore, I worked for an Italian brand of denim jeans and I lived for three years in Sweden.

Ralph: What did you do prior to your career on television?

    

Chimène: I worked as a PR manager in the fashion and IT industries as well as for Club Med.

     

Ralph: How did you start your career as a TV host?

Chimène: I started my career as a TV host when I decided to go for my second study. After communication, I studied psychology. Then I sent a videotape to TROS and I rapidly became a host on this prestigious channel in 1996. In 1999, I moved to Veronica and later to Yorin.

Chimène on TROS (1997)

Chimène on Veronica (1999)

Chimène on Yorin (2002)

Ralph: Which TV shows you hosted are you the proudest of?

Chimène: That's a tough question. I liked my travel shows the most (Go Travel on Veronica in 2001 and Yorin Travel, 2001-2003) as well ass my motorbike program (Motor TV on Veronica, 2000-2002)

Motor TV

Ralph: In addition to your activities on the small screen, what have you done professionally? 

    

Chimène: I own a PR company and I am a yoga instructor.

Ralph: Your impressive CV mentions your acting activities. Which role did you prefer?

Chimène: I had one of the leading parts in "X- Patriots", an American movie. Darien Sills-Evans wrote, directed and starred in this romantic comedy about two black American men who traveled to the Netherlands – a place where no one looked like them – in search of self-identity. X-Patriots premiered on June 23rd, 2001 in Chicago at the AngelCiti Film Festival where it won "Best Film" and be noted in the Chicago Reader as the “Critic’s Choice”. A successful film festival run followed, with the film picking up usually good reviews and awards that included the LA Weekly Award Best Screenplay 2002, CCI Digital Award for Best Ensemble Cast 2002, Film Finders Maverick Award for Quality Low-Budget Film 2002 (Method Fest), Best Feature Angelciti Chicago 2001, and nominated for the Gordon Parks Award IFP 2001. The last public showing of X-Patriots was in New York City at DCTV’s 24-Hour Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.

Chimène and Darien Sills-Evans in "X Patriots"

Ralph: You like challenges so you took part in several celebrity competitions on TV (Peking Express, Top Chef, Vliegende Hollanders...). Every time you won these contests. You seem to have the Midas touch, right? Which competition was the most challenging physically and emotionally?

Chimène: No I do not have the Midas touch. I wish... I need to work soooo hard to achieve something. All these competitions were a crown to my investment and my focus as well as my killing hard work. Peking Express was the toughest competition. I came even sick back home with an infection in my body. It took me months to recover.

Peking Express VIP

Vliegende Hollanders (Final - 2013)

Ralph: In 2004, Marga Scheide and you were involved in Patty Brard's reality show "Patty's Fort" on Yorin. What are your memories of this TV program?

Chimène: Recovery from a trauma of the father of my child who left me after one month and severe health problems.

Ralph:  How were you exactly recruited as a Luv' singer?

Chimène: Marga Scheide called me in late December and asked me if I wanted to join the group.

Announcement of Chimène as a Luv' singer - De Telegraaf (January 4th, 2019)

Ralph: Were you apprehensive when you accepted Marga's offer? How did it affect your career and fame? 

Chimène: Yes, of course, I was apprehensive. It was quite a question.... but we spoke about it and after good conversations, I decided to take up the challenge. It did not affect my career and fame. I was already famous because of my work in the entertainment industry. 

Ralph: Which Luv' songs do you prefer?

Chimène: "Trojan Horse" because I like the lyrics and "You're the Greatest Lover" because it's world famous.

Ralph: Now that you are part of Luv', how are the tasks between the members divided? What's your input to the group?

Chimène: I'm able to multitask. I like styling, which is mainly Marga's task but I also give my input. I have a broad network and therefore, I also facilitate Luv' to be booked for corporate events within the business network. I am interested in social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, SnapChat) and I like to blog which is also one of my tasks. I like being creative.

Ralph: Last month, you were in Miami to record new material. What happened there in particular? How many songs did you cut? What will be the style of the new tracks? 

Chimène: We recorded one single and it will be reggaeton/pop. It is a very interesting song. I am positive about it. Hopefully, it will chart in Europe this summer!

Luv' with Manuel Garrido-Lecca and Keith Morrison

Earlier this week, I recorded additional vocals at Dennis Mulder's D-Recording studio which will be used for the final mix of our single. Our new track is supposed to come out just after Pentecost.

Ralph: In addition to Luv', what are your current and future solo projects?

Chimène: I am still working for television. I am doing some hosting jobs as well.  I am writing a book. I run my own PR company and I am a psychologist, working on a project about narcissism. Moreover, I am a yoga teacher.

Ralph: If you were on a desert island, which book and record would you bring?

Chimène: I would write my own book and as for the record, I would bring "Both Sides Now" from Joni Mitchell.

Ralph: You know I'm French. Which chanson, French band or solo singer do you like?

Chimène: I like Vanessa Paradis, Stromae (French-speaking Belgian artist), and the timeless chanson "La Vie En Rose" (as performed by Edith Piaf, Grace Jones, Donna Summer, Dalida, Patricia Kaas and many other singers).

 Many THANKS to Chimène for making this interview possible!!!

List of TV shows hosted by Chimène:

Host on TROS (1996 - 1999)
Host on Veronica (1999 - 2001)
Host on Yorin (2001 - 2003)

Veronica goes back to the US of A (Veronica, 1999)
Car Wars (Veronica, 1999)
Demolition Cars (Veronica, 2000) 
Motor TV (Veronica, 2000 - 2002)
City Report (Veronica, 2002)
Go Travel (Veronica, 2001)
Yorin Travel (Yorin, 2001-2003)
Gordons Lifestyle  (Yorin, 2001)
Sterrenbeurs (SBS 6, 2003)
Televisiedokter (RTL 4/Yorin, 2005)
Snowmagazine VIPS (SBS 6, 2006)
Health Angels (RTL 4, 2006)
4ME (RTL 4, 2010-2014)
Medicaltravel (RTL 4, 2013)
House Vision (RTL 4, 2013-2014)
Sunny Side Up (RTL 4, 2016)
Life Is Beautiful (RTL 4, 2016-2018)

Participation in celebrity TV competitions:

Patty's Fort (Yorin, 2004)
Peking Express VIPS (NET 5, 2006 winner with Bart Veldkamp)
Wildebeesten (NET 5, 2006, winner)
Topchef VIPS (RTL 4, 2009, winner)
Vliegende Hollanders: Sterren van de Schans (SBS 6, 2013, winner)

Chimène's official website: http://www.chimenevanoosterhout.nl/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chimene.vanoosterhout
Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ochimene
LinkedIn: click here