Flemish TV personality Yasmine takes her own life
Flemish pop singer and television presenter Yasmine committed suicide on 25 June. She was 37.
Yasmine, whose given name was Hilde Rens, had been part of the Flemish music and media scene for 18 years, since her debut album Mooi zo (Beautiful That Way) in 1991. She went on to make 10 more albums, including Yasmine houdt woord (Yasmine Keeps Her Word), a compilation of poetry set to music, which released last February.
A singer of Dutch lyrics, Yasmine was particularly known for translating the songs of Leonard Cohen in her 2004 album Vandaag (het morgen van gisteren), or Today (The Tomorrow of Yesterday). Critics and fans alike were impressed with her ability to portray the famous Canadian songwriter's lyrics with an equal degree of empathy and passion. She surprised and impressed again with Licht ontvlambaar (Highly Flammable) in 2006, her first authentic rock album.
Directly following her first record, Yasmine popped up on TV, first as the host of Tien om te Zien (Ten to See), a sort of Flemish Top of the Pops. She was on television almost constantly, either singing or hosting, and was outrageously popular as a co-host of De rode loper for seven years. She was also a long-time DJ for Radio Donna and wrote columns in both De Morgen and Het Nieuwsblad.
But Yasmine was equally well known for being an out lesbian, one of a very few out Flemish celebrities. She became a role model for the gay and lesbian community and was voted Most Important Belgian Holebi (a term for Homosexual, Lesbian and Bisexual) in 2005.
In 2003, Yasmine married Marianne Dupon, under a shower of flashbulbs. Dupon, who had become famous locally for winning the Flemish version of The Mole, gave birth to the couple's daughter two years ago. Dupon left Yasmine last April for another woman, taking their daughter with her, and Yasmine is reported to have been despondent. Her colleagues and fans alike noticed a dramatic weight loss, though the celebrity did not slow down her daily television appearances.
Yasmine had been staying with her sister in Kontich, between Mechelen and Antwerp, after the separation with Dupon. When her sister arrived home on 25 June and could not find Yasmine, she eventually called the police, who discovered Yasmine's body nearby. She had hanged herself from a tree.
In the 24 hours after her death, reactions from friends, colleagues and journalist have poured in. All knew Yasmine was suffering but did not see this coming out of the normally cheerful and emotionally strong woman. De Morgen published two pages of reactions and tributes. Bart Steenhaut, journalist and friend of Yasmine, wrote an open letter to her: "The idea that we will not see each other anymore is incomprehensible. If Leonard Cohen sings in Antwerp: ‘Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye', I'll think of you. And hope that you have really - really - made the right decision for yourself. A kiss, a hug. And sleep well."
www.yasmine.be
