Bente Fokkens: the hit of Beste Zangers, who is she?

Bente’s emotional moment in Beste Zangers

Although there is a standard tear guarantee with Beste Zangers on Saturdays, it was truly a top day for Kleenex: there was mass sniffling when Bente sang her Dutch version of Cher’s Believe . Especially Paul de Leeuw was touched; for him, this song symbolizes the loss of a loved one. For Bente, this song was just as special, as she struggled with her sexuality for a long time. The song helped her with that.

Let's start at the beginning: where is Bente known from?

Since she was eleven, Bente has been traveling the country to perform. She was often heard on De Wereld Draait Door and was already chosen as 3FM Serious Talent at the age of thirteen (!). Her track Days of Old became the soundtrack of the film Kappen!, in which she also played the lead role. And as if that wasn't enough, we also saw her in Loenatik, te gek, Schone handen, Misfit 1, 2, and 3, De 12 van Schouwendam and Locked Out.

She also participated in The Voice Kids, where she impressed with Lost by Anouk. In 2018, she signed with record label Top Notch, released several EPs, and scored her first hit together with Maan: Nee is Nee.

Bente Fokkens in short

Bente is 24 years old, comes from Amsterdam, moved to Muiden – where she hated it – writes her own songs, and plays guitar. She is in a relationship with Sam Lawalata, who is the regular producer for among others S10. Her father is furniture maker Robbert Fokkens and her mother is an Ayurvedic masseuse who works at a hippie campsite. A new build is not exactly Bente's background; she grew up in a squatter's house where she came into the world on an air mattress. They moved to KNSM island where her father works at the art center Loods 6, but her parents lost Bente there so often that they decided to move to Gooi, Muiden that is. She collaborated with Maan, MEAU, Roxanne Hazes, Bløf, and Dave Budha. She won a 3FM Award for Best Indie Act, was nominated for an Edison, but unfortunately did not win it.

Where else do we know her from?

Besides her golden voice and acting talent, Bente is often seen in popular programs. In 2022, she was together with S10 in the YouTube series De Kluis by StukTV, appeared in Voor het Blok and showcased her photography skills in Het Perfecte Plaatje . A year later, she even won as the ultimate traitor in. De Verraders . After that, programs like. Say Whut?! Ik hou van Holland, Jachtseizoen: Most Wanted and The youth of Bente: bullied and being different.

In the

-podcast LINDA.-podcast Hairdresser of the Stars Bente spoke candidly about her childhood. As a city kid, she moved to the Gooi, where she didn't fit in with the group. She was bullied for her striking clothing style and homemade outfits. With her mother, she scoured the Albert Cuyp to buy fabrics and made petticoats. But in Muiden, that was not always understood.

In eighth grade, everything changed when she was in The Voice Kids class. Suddenly, she was popular in class. In her documentary, Bente’s voice this is painfully evident: the children who were the friendliest were actually the ones who had bullied her the most before.

Now back home in Amsterdam

Bente has left Muiden behind and now lives again in Amsterdam-Zuid, in a “very small, cozy, lovely little house”. With her hippie vibes and eye for vintage, she has made the apartment entirely her own. She had her kitchen wrapped in black and scored gems at flea markets, like a crystal ashtray in France. Her home radiates creativity – perfectly fitting for Bente.