THE Welsh valleys have produced some extraordinary singers over the years. Just think of the nuclearlunged Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey or Charlotte Church.
There must be something in the water and superstar opera singer Katherine Jenkins is no exception.
The 33-year-old blonde bombshell from Neath is the world’s most successful classical crossover artist.
Over the last nine years, Katherine has all but redefined the genre.
She’s earned the title the New Forces Sweetheart after working with Dame Vera Lynn, and frequently entertained our troops in war zones.
Whether it be taking to the stage with Darcey Bussell in the massively successful co-headlining arena shows Viva La Diva, appearing in Doctor Who or doing the foxtrot on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing, Jenkins is one of most forward thinking, creative and progressive artists of her generation.
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing.
Her father died of lung cancer when she was just 15, and Katherine has admitted to dabbling with drugs when she was a student.
Then there are claims she is a bit of a diva, demanding things like warm Diet Coke and insisting on wearing a surgical mask on flights.
“Do you know anybody who would want to drink Diet Coke warm?” she laughs.
“It’s insanity. “The longer you do this the more people want to believe you’re badly behaved.
“I think things just get exaggerated, but it can be hurtful at times.
“When I read that I had apparently thrown a mobile phone at somebody, that was hard for me, because I’m really not like that.
“I’m trying to develop a thicker skin, because I’m quite sensitive. But it’s just an occupational hazard – you just have to try and laugh it off.”
Like it or not, Katherine is a modern mass media target and she’s had her run-ins with the press. she now works hard to keep her private life private.
“You know there are certain things which are private that should remain so and my family may not have asked for the publicity which goes with my career so it’s not fair on them.
“But when I spoke about the drugs I did so because I believe honesty is the best policy. And, you know what, not one person came up to me and said anything negative – it was a very positive experience all round.
“People are very forgiving.
“A lot of them said things like: ‘Well, you’re only human and we all do stupid things when we’re young.’ So I’ve no regrets about talking about it at all.”
These experiences have all shaped into the global phenomenon she is today and now Bournemouth will get the chance to see the Welsh mezzo-soprano on stage doing what she does best. Tomorrow night will see hunky operatic pop vocal group Il Divo joining forces with Katherine, as two of the world’s biggest classical crossover acts unite at the BIC.
With over 30 million album sales between them, both Il Divo and Katherine have experienced stratospheric rises since their recording debuts in 2004. While they have crossed paths at various musical events and TV shows, they have never actually taken to the public stage together. This tour will see them perform separately with a full orchestra, their own unique classical interpretations of popular songs, while also dueting together for the first time.
This meeting of classical heavyweights is something Katherine is clearly relishing.
“Having known the boys for such a long a time it’s great to finally be working on such an exciting project together.”
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