Sharon den Adel

Early Life

Sharon Janny den Adel was born on July 12, 1974, in Waddinxveen, Netherlands. Her early years were spent in Indonesia, where she was captivated by the Balinese dancers, inspiring her own stage movements. After returning to the Netherlands, she faced bullying due to her unique style and darker skin tone. Despite these challenges, she began performing at the age of 14 with various bands, including a blues rock group called Kashiro. Den Adel later co-founded a band initially named The Portal, which was eventually renamed Within Temptation before their debut recording.

Career

Den Adel's career took off when she formed Within Temptation with her partner Robert Westerholt in 1996. Although she never received formal vocal training, she developed her mezzo-soprano voice through self-practice, dedicating hours to honing her craft. The band gained fame with their hit single "Ice Queen," leading her to leave her job in fashion to focus on music. Den Adel is known for her powerful and emotional singing style, often described as versatile, capable of performing with both orchestras and in intimate settings. She prefers singing in English, believing it suits their music better than Dutch.

Personal Life

Sharon den Adel has been in a long-term relationship with Robert Westerholt, with whom she shares three children. Their first child was born in December 2005, followed by two more in 2009 and 2011. The couple married in 2018, solidifying their partnership both personally and professionally. Den Adel also served as the Dutch chairperson of the jury for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018, showcasing her influence in the music industry beyond her band.