Kelly Van Der Veer — Biography
Born on May 6, 1980, Kelly van der Veer is a Dutch personality recognized for her appearances on Big Brother, her singing career, and her presence on television. She stands 186 centimeters tall and makes her home in Hilversum. Her childhood hero was the iconic Barbie. Kelly is a transgender woman.
Her public life began when she was still known as Ferry, as a member of the children's singing group Kinderen voor Kinderen. Her voice can be heard on albums 12 through 15 of the group's discography. Several years later, in 1997 and prior to her transition, she was the youngest contestant to compete in "De Travestiet Show," a competition she ultimately won. However, it was her involvement in Big Brother - The Battle that propelled her to fame, with Kelly becoming one of the show's finalists.
Currently, she contributes a comedy segment titled "Just Kel" to the Dutch talk show Jensen and has also been featured in the Big Brother spin-off, Hotel Big Brother. In May 2008, it was announced that Kelly van der Veer would be a special guest on the Australian iteration of Big Brother, though her precise entry date remained unconfirmed.
Kelly has described her youth as the most challenging period of her life, marked by frequent misidentification as a boy and ensuing mockery. Seeking an avenue to overcome these difficulties, she pursued a career in media and entered "De Travestiet Show" as an early teenager. In 2002, she reached the finals of the Dutch Big Brother competition, where she was considered a frontrunner to win. During her time on the show, she engaged in sexual activity with a fellow contestant, Andries, who was unaware of her transgender identity. Following the season, she performed her single, "I'm What I Am," which was subsequently released. Kelly collaborated with Andries de Jong, another Big Brother participant, on an autobiographical book titled Kelly, published in Dutch paperback in 2006 with ISBN 9-027-43984-2. Her debut CD, "I am what I am," was released in January 2002 but received a muted reception and experienced modest sales. In 2004, Kelly made a brief cameo as an unnamed lesbian character in the Dutch film Gay. The movie, however, did not achieve commercial success, failing to resonate with the prevailing image of homosexual individuals in the Netherlands.
Having established a significant presence in her native country, Kelly now aims to build a career in America and has recently begun spending part of her time in Florida.
Her public life began when she was still known as Ferry, as a member of the children's singing group Kinderen voor Kinderen. Her voice can be heard on albums 12 through 15 of the group's discography. Several years later, in 1997 and prior to her transition, she was the youngest contestant to compete in "De Travestiet Show," a competition she ultimately won. However, it was her involvement in Big Brother - The Battle that propelled her to fame, with Kelly becoming one of the show's finalists.
Currently, she contributes a comedy segment titled "Just Kel" to the Dutch talk show Jensen and has also been featured in the Big Brother spin-off, Hotel Big Brother. In May 2008, it was announced that Kelly van der Veer would be a special guest on the Australian iteration of Big Brother, though her precise entry date remained unconfirmed.
Kelly has described her youth as the most challenging period of her life, marked by frequent misidentification as a boy and ensuing mockery. Seeking an avenue to overcome these difficulties, she pursued a career in media and entered "De Travestiet Show" as an early teenager. In 2002, she reached the finals of the Dutch Big Brother competition, where she was considered a frontrunner to win. During her time on the show, she engaged in sexual activity with a fellow contestant, Andries, who was unaware of her transgender identity. Following the season, she performed her single, "I'm What I Am," which was subsequently released. Kelly collaborated with Andries de Jong, another Big Brother participant, on an autobiographical book titled Kelly, published in Dutch paperback in 2006 with ISBN 9-027-43984-2. Her debut CD, "I am what I am," was released in January 2002 but received a muted reception and experienced modest sales. In 2004, Kelly made a brief cameo as an unnamed lesbian character in the Dutch film Gay. The movie, however, did not achieve commercial success, failing to resonate with the prevailing image of homosexual individuals in the Netherlands.
Having established a significant presence in her native country, Kelly now aims to build a career in America and has recently begun spending part of her time in Florida.
