Emma Kok, age 11/12, Blogs on: School, Bullying, Hospital, Wheelchair, Mental Health, Covid, Singing

[@MockelTENTEE]

Thank you Roger for showing us the 'dark side' of Emma's life. Of course, there is not always sunshine in everyone's life, but there is also a dark side. But the contrast is particularly clear in her case. On the one hand the brilliant, celebrated star, on the other the desperate person struggling with life. As she said when she announced Dancing on the stars: 'When I finish singing my song, I will go backstage, and I will be the girl who has a paralysed stomach. But right now I want to be the girl who is dancing on the stars.' Two sentences, two worlds.

[@RogerC-2024]

Yes the contrast between the two sides of Emma's life is striking. Anyone watching Emma sing, and not knowing her back story, would see young girl in a privileged situation living her dream. Which she is of course; and she knows this better than anyone. But sadly the nightmare follows her around too. 😥

[@chrispiper7374]

It breaks my heart that someone who struggles so much and tries so hard is bullied and treated so poorly by insensitive fools. I can’t believe just how strong and amazing Emma is to be able to handle that and even though it was rough for her, she made it with a positive attitude. She is such a strong warrior and super talented. Bullies should be kicked out of school or made to apologize in public.!! Millions of people already love you, Emma not just for your talent but for your strength of character. Everyone also recognizes how beautiful you are.

[@RogerC-2024]

You may have seen Emma being interviewed on 'Carrie Op Vrijdag' (Carrie On Friday) in another video on my channel. She was asked if her success makes her feel like she is giving the bullies 'the middle finger' which she agreed it did. She had previously said that she bears no ill will towards her bullies but added in the interview she hopes one day they might come to a concert one day and ask her for a photo. She said she would say to them that she didn't know them. Everyone in the studio laughed at this. 😆

[@ouroboros46n2]

As difficult as some of Emma's blogs were to listen to I appreciate it because they motivated me to donate again to Emma's foundation and focus on the positive outcomes Emma is currently experiencing, which seems to be mostly joy in living her dream. Thanks again, Roger. 🙏

[@RogerC-2024]

Excellent, well done for your donation to Emma's foundation, Gastrostars. 👍

[@chrispiper7374]

@@ouroboros46n2 please be careful when donating because there are at least three different fake cameras out there, taking in thousands from people who think they’re donating to the foundation when actually it’s a scammer collecting money. Emma only uses one profile with the blue checkmark next to the picture not in the picture, and she never ever asks for money.

[@ChrisDart4232]

Brilliant touching insight to Emma's life. The good and the bad, honestly told. The fantastic togetherness of her family - yes there are 'cat' sessions, there always are, good when you can get past it and still love each other.

[@RogerC-2024]

She writes how she speaks in interviews doesn't she; open, considered, and honest. Even as an 11 year old she wrote well. You can see it is written by a young person, but a smart young person with an interesting story to tell; albeit upsetting to read in places.

[@dolfy1962]

Thanks Roger for documenting this. Here you can see how mean the youth is . In primary school I also had a girl who was small and was given hormone injections. But there was no one to bully her. But nowadays in social media it is only the appearance that counts. You read that Emma is such a sweet girl and first blames herself, fortunately she has a wonderful gift but for all those children who don't have this it is painful for the rest of her life. And as parents you also have to be very strong not to go to school to give a few correction slaps. Fortunately, it turned out well for Emma, now her illness.

[@RogerC-2024]

@@dolfy1962 exactly right. What about the others who don’t have the comfort of a strong family, a talent for a comfort. Emma is in many ways lucky although I would argue she has helped create her own good fortune. I also believe the trauma Emma has suffered gives her the depth of emotion other singers will never have or take years to develop. I am certain Emma recognises this too. She has called her music her salvation (on Carrie Op Vrijdag). ❤️

[@laurent5697]

Thank you Roger for this video. I've translated Emma's entire blog into French and keep it preciously in a .pdf file. She is truly an exceptional person in terms of her talent, will and courage. Every day I listen to one of her songs and I can't get enough of it...

[@RogerC-2024]

@@laurent5697 Your experience making the French translations may have been similar to mine. Because it required a high level of concentration I think it impacted me more. I found it very moving in a lot of places. This video should have French subtitles available too, although it may be a bit awkward to read with the video text scrolling at the side. 👍

[@laurent5697]

@@RogerC-2024 Reading her blog after translating it (which she stopped after qualifying for voice kids), I was very touched by what she had had to overcome. In fact, there are several Emma's: the one before and after voice kids, and the one before and after ‘Voilà’. With each vocal experience, she gained in confidence and vocal maturity. She is now a magnificent young woman who is sure of her abilities. I pray that her health will improve if at all possible.

[@RogerC-2024]

@@laurent5697 Yes, exactly 👍

[@Jack.333]

You GO Girl... Thoughts are things waiting to happen. Make them all good. Peace & Love Thanks RogerC Good Job!

[@RogerC-2024]

Thank you

[@weiwouwei3976]

Les enfants sont souvent impitoyables 😮😢❤

[@RogerC-2024]

Unfortunately this is true. Hopefully, they will grow up to be fine people, but will perhaps be unaware of the harm they have done growing up. ❤

[@Theo-de-Koning]

In 2019. 18:00 *"How nice it is to be able to perform in front of more then 600 people!."* 😂🤣 *This is a very, v e r y good part of your project Roger.*

[@RogerC-2024]

It's great isn't it. There are a few one liners from Emma in her blogs that with hindsight are amusing to read. Like enjoying French lessons, and similar to the line you picked out, "I can get used to it, being on stage..." 🤣 Now she almost needs to get her mail redirected to the Ziggo Dome. 😃 I'm glad you liked the video. I mentioned to another commenter that I wasn't sure how this would be received. I felt that Emma's blogs deserved to be heard by as many people as possible but I could only do it by using an AI voice-over which isn't ideal.

[@BillyBateman-zr8xd]

Roger- thank you for putting this together. The delivery by the voice artist landed with impact for me. This form of communication was received with sincerity by me. I extend my appreciation for your effective preparation of this video so that we can learn of the experience Emma had. This was received with emotional impact by me. I deliver support to more than a dozen children/ young adults. This video you prepared is gratifying for me.

[@RogerC-2024]

Thank you for your kind words, and the good work you are doing for young people.

[@davidkemble6014]

Thanks so much for sharing these! Emma is so amazing and inspirational for me. It's so wonderful that she has found a way to turn her struggles into something of transcendent beauty. Now she shines so brightly (dancing on the stars) and touches hearts around the world. (I live in Hawaii, on the opposite side of the planet from the Netherlands.)

[@RogerC-2024]

Hello David in Hawaii, thanks for watching my videos and for your kind words. I wasn't sure how this would be received. I could only do it by using an AI voiceover but I felt that Emma's blogs deserved to be heard by as many as possible. I guess living in Hawaii has tremendous benefits. At least here in England (cold and wet just now) I can jump on a plane to get to an Emma Kok concert in The Netherlands within a day, travelling back the next day. And, I can catch up with her on her world tour each time she comes to the UK. 👍

[@Brace9541]

It really is a testament to all that Emma has been through and how she struggles mentally and physically and yet she is still able to find joy in her family and friends! It really touched me when she talked about Sophie!🥰Thanks again Roger for helping us understand what a blessing this beautiful Emma truly is!

[@RogerC-2024]

Her writing even as an 11 year old touched me. She spoke with clarity in her story, with passion for what she can do, and with love for the people close to her. A difficult reach but toucing at the same time. I felt it deserved to be shared more widely. 👍

[@JaapFilius]

I believe it is such a blessing that André Rieu has made it his mission to make it possible for Emma to "live her dream". I think the outcome is a "win win" formula: Emma can do her live performances for huge audiences and André has "full houses" wherever Emma comes. So good!!

[@RogerC-2024]

@@JaapFilius A good marriage which is a phrase I’ve heard them both say (if my translation is correct)

[@williamkechkaylo7915]

this doesn't surprise me what her life was like. so sad but yet , heart filling. all things in life shape a person, influence their life. and what has she become? gods gift for us with her special voice to bring such special feelings. when i get sad, i listen to her voice and it brings me such up lifting. i too was bullied through school so i can relate. i would like to read more of her blogs as if she was MY sister. god bless you emma. 💋💋💋💋

[@RogerC-2024]

Yes, Emma's blogs are a difficult read in places but along with her voice are also uplifting as you say. Fortunately Emma has a lot of love in her life from those who are close to her. I do wonder if she realises how highly regarded she is by people like us who are following her progress and get so much pleasure from her work.

[@caciliazwischenbrugger71]

Du bist stark und bleib wie du bist.Du schaffst das,LG aus wien❤❤❤

[@reinhardchwatal9388]

I have a feeling that there will be a movie about her life one day. And I pray that it will have a Happy End! What an incredible girl.

[@JaapFilius]

I have read that "MAX", a broadcast company in the Netherlands, is working on that and that a documentary will come towards the end of this year. So fingers crossed....

[@RogerC-2024]

@@JaapFilius Exactly, yes. I believe Max Omroep TV cameras are currently following Emma around.

[@joepollard9476]

Emma, you inspire so many people who have trials to bear. Twice a year I must have a very painful injection in a very sensitive area. Trivial compared to what you endure and I don't have your courage, but thinking of you strengthens me. Your fans love you, Emma (Joe, aged 78).

[@RogerC-2024]

@@joepollard9476 I don’t have too many life challenges but in the same way you describe, I still find Emma inspirational and good for my mental health. 👍