A rollercoaster ride for Veronique
We met up with Veronique Lalouette to chat about her experience as well as dieting, breakdowns and getting back on top.
You might remember her as the woman who sang, rapped and even showed off some slick dance moves on The Voice SA. We met up with Veronique Lalouette to chat about her experience as well as dieting, breakdowns and getting back on top.
What surprises me about meeting Veronique for the first time is that her on-stage smile is even warmer when you meet her in person. Her wonderful personality shines out … her eyes dance as she invites us into her life and tells us what it’s like to be a wife, mother, singer and entertainer! And being mother to #GabrielTheAdorable (her little Instagram star) and wife to Andy means there is much to juggle.
Growing up with dad Denny Lalouette, legendary bass player of 40 years in the entertainment industry, and a mom who danced in her early years, meant there was only one path for her and that was to be an entertainer. Were her parents surprised to hear her decision? No! No surprises there … just lots of support. Which is rare … usually parents want their children to have something to fall back on.
We first heard of Veronique in 2016, when she tried out for The Voice SA. She’d been signing professionally for 20 years, but was in a dark place in her life. And obviously it came across, since none of the coaches turned for her. But this year, she came back with a brand new attitude and a whole lot of soul! She was determined to show us what she was made of … and did she just! She moved Lira to tears with her rendition of Tina Turner’s River Deep, Mountain High, and both Lira and Karen Zoid raved about Veronique’s come-back performance.
Veronique went from an overweight young mom to a gorgeous fun-loving entertainer, who took time out from her busy schedule and spent an afternoon with us at the cosy Ana Paula’s Coffee Shop.
She said life has been an interesting rollercoaster ride. “When my son was born in January 2013 it was the hardest time of my life. I had always wanted a baby and being maternal I thought it would be the happiest time of my life. However, it was not to be. I found balancing being a late-night entertainer with being a breastfeeding mom very difficult. There were nights I didn’t sleep and as a result of sleep deprivation, the depression slowly crept in. Despite all the family support and love from those around me, I still had a nervous breakdown at the beginning of 2014. Seeking professional help was the best thing I did, because admitting that you were failing at life in general, was not something you shared publicly. Once I started therapy I realised that a cup of coffee with a professional is as good as a cup of coffee with a friend.”
Veronique said she loves the saying from My Big Fat Greek Wedding: ‘The man may be the head of the household, but the woman is the neck, and she can turn the head whichever way she wants’. “That says it all. And when I look at Adele, who, when questioned about her weight, said she made music for ears, not for eyes, I realise that we can make it despite setbacks.”
According to her, the South African music scene can be brutal when it comes to looks. “I have had to lose a huge amount of weight, almost 20kgs, just to ensure that the gigs come in. Sadly, that’s a fact of life in the local industry. I have noticed in the last couple of years since I started my weight-loss programme, that my confidence has grown and my ability to connect with my audience is now almost palpable.”
Veronique also writes her own music. “I also enjoy a good cover as there are some really amazing songs out there that give artists the freedom to express themselves. This often encourages audiences to sing along and enjoy the moment. There are so many genres of music that I can sing any style from Rock to Ballads. I guess my style could be considered Adult Pop Contemporary with a splash of Country!
“As for my make-up, experimenting and knowing what works for me is better than having a make-up artist do it for me. With a touch of a brush and a steady hand, I turn from wife and mother into Cinderella, ready for the stage.”
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
