Chantal Janzen is one of the three main hosts for Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light — the EBU’s replacement show for Eurovision 2020.
While she may be a familiar face for Dutch audiences, much of Europe and Australia will only be meeting her for the first time.
So, we’ve compiled 10 facts you need to know about Chantal Janzen. Let’s do this!
Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light — Facts about Chantal Janzen
1. She has two sons
Chantal is married to Marco Geeratz, and together they have two boys. James was born in 2009 while Bobby arrived in 2018. The couple’s wedding took place in 2014. Geeratz has three children from a previous relationship.
2. She’s an actress
Despite her TV fame, Chantal’s career began in the theatre. She has appeared in many stage adaptions of famous musicals. Her roles include Stephanie Mangano in Saturday Night Fever, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Jane in Tarzan and Glinda in Wicked. And these aren’t small show. They’re often the biggest productions in the whole country.
Next to musicals, Chantal has also starred in several Dutch movies, like Soof, Pak van mijn hart and the award-winning Alles if Liefde. She’s also lent her voice to Dutch dubs of movies such as Shrek The Third and Enchanted. She had a cameo in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.
3. She’s the Netherlands’ biggest TV presenter
Of course, Chantal is a TV host. Throughout her career, she’s presented some of the country’s biggest shows, including adaptions of major international formats like Idol, All Together Now, Dancing With The Stars and The Voice Of Holland.
4. She threw a pyjama party on live TV
Based on another format she presented on Dutch television, Chantal hosted a live show in the Ziggo Dome arena last November. Called Chantals Pyjama Party, it saw her welcome a host of entertainers, including a magician, a stand-up comedian and several singers such as Glennis Grace. Because of high ticket sales, a second show was arranged for the same week.
5. She’s hosted and won at the Gouden Televizier-Ring Gala
Chantal has hosted one of the most prestigious shows on Dutch television. The Gouden Televizier-Ring Gala is an annual gala which honours TV shows, stars and moments. She hosted the event for three consecutive years between 2008 and 2010. Even more impressively, she’s won the prize for Best Female Presenterfive times since 2014. Her Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light co-host has presented the bash a few times too.
6. She’s appeared on TV internationally
Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light will not be Chantal’s first time before an international audience. She’s an all-rounder gifted with many talents. Therefore, it is not surprising that she has made her way onto German television. Chantal has hosted the backstage segment on the German version of The Voice Kids. Further afield, she was one of the 50 international jurors on the American talent show The World’s Best.
7. She has her own media brand
Chantal is more than a presenter. She’s also something of a media mogul. Her &C brand houses a monthly magazine, a website, an app, an online shop, TV programmes and live events. The TV show is called &Chantal. It’s a Saturday night talk show, and sees the host sing, dance and interview special guests. The overall &C brand is targeted towards women aged 18 to 48. According to its website, it aims to have fun, move and inspire.
8. She released a charity Christmas song
In name of &C, Chantal recorded a Christmas Song called “Ik ben een kerstbal” (I Am A Christmas Ornament). Several famous Dutch singers, including co-host Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light co-host Edsilia Rombley sing parts of the song. All proceeds raised were donated to the Princess Maxima Hospital for children’s oncology.
She also sang a song against cancer, called “Vecht Mee” (Fight With Us).
9. She’s a comedian
And Chantal has another gift. She is really funny. For example, she plays several Dutch and international roles in Dutch satire show TV Kantine (“Television canteen”). We can not wait to see her bring some funny jokes to the Eurovision stage.
10. She’s from a rival network
While Chantal is a massive name on Dutch TV, her selection as Eurovision host — now Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light — was somewhat surprising. That’s because The Netherlands Eurovision efforts are overseen by the public broadcasters AVROTROS, NOS and NPO. However, Chantal is contracted to RTL — a privately owned rival network. While she previously worked with AVROTROS, she jumped ship in 2011 so that she could experience new things. Employees from the commercial channel are usually prevented from getting involved in programmes from the public broadcaster. But given the importance of Eurovision, this rule was waived for Chantal.
Are you excited to see Chantal during Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light? Let us know in the comments.
I thought that was heather lockleer (in her young years) in the picture., wow…
She’s gorgeous!
Chantal is a treasure. I am excited to see what she’ll do tonight!