Why I suddenly really like Lil’ Kleine

Two years ago, I was on a press trip to Capri and walked next to a girl who was half my age. We talked about where we might know each other from. Amayzine didn't ring a bell, and she had never heard of the magazine Marie Claire either. She, in turn, had ‘played’ in the music video of Lil’ Kleine. Didn't I know that? From ‘Drank & drugs’? She said nothing, but I knew what she was thinking: that I had been living under a very thick rock. And she knew what I was thinking. Same here.

Lil’ Kleine then. I didn't really know him. And I was quite surprised when I heard he would be a judge on The Voice. That called for some research. And then I had to adjust my opinion a bit. I should have known, of course. John de Mol doesn't just put anyone there. Lil’ Kleine is a special guy, and that's it.

As a small child, he fought leukemia and grew up in the Amsterdam Red Light District with a mother who did ‘really terrible’ things with him. He tells it in a program with Johnny de Mol. Then he breaks down. I see an overload of Gucci, a girlfriend with full lips, and a Cartier bracelet worth six thousand euros on her wrist. I hadn't mentioned that they are in poor African neighborhoods. I could have all sorts of opinions about it, but they hooked into my heart.

Because he brought his father. For the tears. For the sincerity in those silly Gucci hoodies. After that, I followed Lil’. Especially on The Voice, of course. ‘Mom, I really like him. He always gives everyone a hug and tells everyone he loves them.’

And just check his Wiki page. I can't even repeat it, so many hit songs and number 1 rankings. You're not just dealing with anyone here, but with a boy who was born to perform.

Then that lovely Instagram post appeared with the photo of their ultrasound, in front of the Christmas tree with a carpet of designer gifts underneath. Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, name it, and it was under Lil's little tree.

Then I saw him at the Vrienden van Amstel, and what a party that little body built on that big stage.

Lil’, I love you a little too. And the fact that you stand in the slums with your Gucci hoodie, don't speak English, and have a little grammar mistake in sentence 2 of your own bio on your own website, makes you perhaps even more likable and real to me.

Image: Instagram @Lilkleine