Ibe Bogaert’s Journey of Resilience with Support from Joost Klein
“I lost my mother to suicide and ended up in psychiatric care myself.” Ibe Bogaert (26) captivated audiences on ‘The Voice of Flanders’ not only with her powerful voice but also with her incredibly personal story. After years of battling mental and physical health challenges, she’s rebuilding her life, with significant support from her coach, Joost Klein. “The note he gave me means a lot to me.”
This Friday evening, Ibe will compete in the Big Battles of ‘The Voice of Flanders,’ vying for a spot in the Cross Battles. Observant viewers will notice a bandage around her arm. “I spilled scalding hot soup on myself. I was trying to nudge my cat off the counter, but knocked over the pot. It resulted in a severe burn. For a moment, I feared I’d have to miss the Big Battles,” Ibe explains.
Facing Adversity with Courage
Despite the pain, Ibe is determined to perform to the best of her ability. She’s unfortunately become accustomed to pain after years of loss and mental health struggles. During her blind audition, Ibe bravely shared that she lost her mother to suicide and had also battled dark thoughts herself. “I did it with a racing heart,” she admits. “But I wanted to show viewers who are also struggling that there’s always something to hold onto. If you climb out of a deep pit, you can still chase your dreams.”
Before her participation, Ibe spent three weeks in a psychiatric institution, where she found mental strength after a crisis. “I texted a friend to look after my cats. She immediately realized something was wrong and called my grandparents. They arrived in time to call emergency services. When I woke up, the first thing I felt was shame – shame for what I would have done to my friends and family. They had already gone through this once before.”
A Childhood Marked by Loss
Ibe was only ten years old when her mother took her own life. “My mother had bipolar disorder. We didn’t have a warm mother-daughter relationship. She struggled immensely with herself,” Ibe says. “Even as a young child, I was very aware of that.” On that fateful day, Ibe felt a sense of unease. “My father and I were on our way to the shoe store. I felt something wasn’t right and urged my father to turn back. When we arrived, he immediately knew something was wrong. He sent me back to the car, where I listened to the radio as a distraction. When the ambulance arrived, ‘I Gotta Feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas was playing. Even now, I cringe when I hear that song.”
Finding Stability and a Musical Outlet
The bond with Ibe’s father became strained. “I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents so I didn’t have to be at home. When I turned eighteen, I wanted to be independent. I had to do everything myself: study, work, survive. For a time, I didn’t have a permanent home. I lived in a friend’s warehouse for four years – it didn’t even have a lock on the door.” Simultaneously, Ibe battled health problems. “I have irritable bowel syndrome. Before I was diagnosed, I struggled with eating. I often had severe stomach pain. I ate too little to avoid the pain, which was, of course, very unhealthy. All these factors left me completely exhausted, and I saw no glimmer of hope.”
Music became her lifeline during this difficult period. In the psychiatric institution, she forced herself to sing and play the piano every day. “I shared videos of myself on social media. Thanks to those videos, I was later contacted for ‘The Voice of Flanders’.”
The Impact of Joost Klein
In the talent show, she impressed coach Joost Klein, who quickly turned his chair. To Ibe’s delight, she had been a fan of the Dutch artist since she was fifteen. “I even had a little crush on him (laughs). I wanted a coach with whom I could connect on all levels,” Ibe explains. Their shared experiences of loss created an immediate bond between Ibe and Joost. The Dutch music phenomenon lost both his parents at a young age. “During our first coaching session, I didn’t want to come across as an obsessive fan. He’s a shy person. We gave each other an awkward hug (laughs). But when I told him what happened to me, we had a good conversation. He’s an incredibly kind and authentic person.”
“The most important thing Joost taught me is self-confidence. I was too self-conscious and insecure on stage, and sometimes paralyzed by fear. Now, I can enjoy it more, thanks to his advice. He writes affirmations on notes that he hangs everywhere. I started doing that too. Joost even wrote one for me: ‘I can sing well, x.’ It’s hanging in my car,” Ibe says proudly.
Whether she will continue her ‘The Voice’ adventure remains to be seen. Regardless, Ibe looks forward to the future with hope. She now has her own rental apartment and works as a social worker in Torhout. “The moment I could lock my door for the first time… It may sound small, but for me, it was huge.” Her father has also reached out again, and they are cautiously trying to rebuild their relationship. Alongside ‘The Voice,’ she continues to pursue her musical dreams with her new band – Keunekot – and shares her raw honesty with a clear mission. “If my music can mean to someone else what it has meant to me, then I’m happy. I hope people feel less alone because of it.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. You can contact the Suicide Hotline at the free number 1813 and on the website www.zelfmoord1813.be.
