On Air Now
Smooth Classics at Seven with Zeb Soanes 7pm - 10pm
Katherine Jenkins: Welsh mezzo’s songs, movie debut, family and everything you need to know
Mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins has had an incredible career so far. But how much do you really know about the Welsh wonder, from her husband and children to her most famous songs?
-
1. Katherine Jenkins' age: when is her birthday?
Katherine Jenkins is 40 years old. She was born on 29 June 1980 in Neath, Wales.
-
2. Who is Katherine Jenkins' husband?
Katherine and her husband, American artist and film producer Andrew Levitas, married at Hampton Court Palace in 2014. Jenkins was previously engaged to TV presenter Gethin Jones in February 2011, but they announced on 30 December 2011 that they were no longer together.
-
3. Katherine Jenkins' children
Katherine and Andrew have two children together: Aaliyah Reign Levitas, born in September 2015, and Xander Robert Selwyn Levitas, born in April 2018. The singer recently ruled out the idea of having a third child, saying "two is full-on!".
-
4. Katherine Jenkins' songs
The classical-crossover singer is best known for her cover of Andrea Bocelli's 'Time to Say Goodbye', as well as 'I Believe', her duet with Bocelli himself. She is also known for her operatic version of Evanescence's 'Bring Me To Life', and her covers of 'Hallelujah' and 'The Prayer'.
-
5. What is Katherine Jenkins' net worth?
Katherine Jenkins has an estimated net worth of $21 million (£16 million).
-
-
6. Katherine Jenkins at school
Katherine was something of a boffin at school - she managed to pass her GCSEs and A-Levels with top marks, and passed her Grade 8 voice and piano exams with distinction.
-
7. Katherine Jenkins' early career
The young K-J cut her teeth singing in school productions like Calamity Jane and Guys and Dolls.
-
8. Katherine Jenkins at the Royal Academy of Music
Once everyone realised she had some serious talent, she was immediately signed up to the National Youth Choir of Wales, as well as being a member of the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers. When she was 17, she landed a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music.
-
9. Katherine Jenkins' jobs
As many musicians do, Katherine had to take a few less-than-glamorous jobs to make ends meet on the road to the top. For her, they included a little bit of teaching and even a stint as a tour guide on the London Eye!
-
10. Katherine Jenkins' feud with Alfie Boe
Jenkins worked with Alfie Boe in a recent production of Carousel and rumours began to surface about a feud, with various anonymous sources reporting tension between the pair. Their ‘feud’ was recently reignited when Boe supposedly wrote a profanity on a poster of Jenkins in an HMV store, to which a source close to Alfie responded: “Anyone could have done this”. On Loose Women, Jenkins said: “I don’t know anything about a feud [and] I don’t know what makes somebody [do that]. [It was] upsetting.”
-
-
11. Katherine Jenkins singing the National anthem
Wearing her national pride on her sleeve, Katherine Jenkins is the go-to girl if you want the national anthem sung properly. She's performed the English and Welsh national anthems at a variety of events, from the FA Cup Final in 2008 to the London Parade of the Olympic Athletes.
-
12. Katherine Jenkins and the forces
Katherine is also known for her extensive work singing for British troops abroad, in much the same way as singers like Vera Lynn. In fact, it was Lynn herself who suggested to Katherine that she go out and sing for them. She has sung for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq on several occasions.
-
13. Katherine Jenkins in comedy
Jenkins once performed an updated version of a Victor Borge comedy sketch alongside pianist Kev Orkian at a private birthday party. Oh, and Lionel Richie performed as well. No biggie.
-
14. Katherine Jenkins in Dancing With The Stars
Katherine became known as much for her feet as her vocal chords in 2012 when she took part in US television show Dancing With The Stars. What's more, she finished in second place!
-
15. Katherine Jenkins on voice rest
Katherine Jenkins has revealed that she doesn't speak in between concerts when she is on tour. She's acknowledged that her talking ban may make people brand her as a 'diva', but the classical-crossover star insists that the voice is like a muscle that needs its rest before a big performance.
-
-
16. Katherine Jenkins’ movie debut
The Welsh star is soon to make her movie acting debut in Minamata, which follows war photographer W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) as he travels to Japan and documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning on Japan’s coastal communities. The film, directed by Jenkins’ husband Andrew Levitas, also stars award-winning actor, Bill Nighy.
-
17. Katherine Jenkins records 'God Save the King'
Having performed for the late Queen Elizabeth II numerous times, Jenkins was asked by the BBC in September 2022 to be the first major artist to record ‘God Save the King’, marking the accession of King Charles III to the throne.
