K3 Comeback: Klaasje Returns with Hanne and Julia on Stage

K3, Belgium’s iconic girl group, has entered a new chapter as former member Klaasje Meijer (30) returns to the stage to temporarily replace Marthe De Pillecyn, who is on maternity leave expecting her second child. The comeback debuted on June 20 at Qmusic’s “De Foute Party” in Eindhoven’s Philips Stadium, where Klaasje performed before 30,000 fans alongside current members Hanne Verbruggen (32) and Julia Boschman (24).

A Surprising Return

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the decision to bring Klaasje back was initially met with surprise — even from Hanne herself. “I found it a very surprising proposal, because I thought she really wouldn’t be up for it,” Hanne told HLN. “Klaasje was always very clear when she stopped. She wanted to do other things.”

Klaasje was a member of K3 from 2015 to 2021, having been selected alongside Hanne and Marthe through the television show ‘K3 zoekt K3’. She left the group in 2021 and was replaced by Julia Boschman. Now, in a full-circle moment, she returns to fill the shoes of the member who once replaced her.

Despite initial doubts, the transition has been remarkably smooth. “When we called, she was immediately on board,” Hanne said. “And now that she’s here, it feels like nothing ever changed.”

Lyric Mix-Ups and Two Blondes on Stage

Rehearsals have not been without their moments. Julia revealed that Klaasje sometimes instinctively sings the lyrics that used to be hers — parts that Julia now performs. “During rehearsals, it sometimes goes quiet during Marthe’s parts and Klaasje accidentally sings along with my lyrics,” Julia explained. “But that’s what makes it funny.”

For the first time in K3’s nearly 30-year history, two blonde members are performing together on stage. Julia described the experience as surreal. “When I think about it, I find it quite special that I’ve now stood on stage with the entire previous generation,” she said. “I never would have dared to dream that when I was younger.”

Klaasje had already been warming up for her return by performing in the Studio 100 musical ‘Doornroosje’ (Sleeping Beauty), which premiered on May 1, 2026. As VRT NWS reported, she plays one of the three good fairies alongside Hanne and Julia.

AI Controversy Surrounds New Single

The group’s new summer single ‘De zomer van Oya Lélé’ — a nostalgic tribute to their 2003 hit — has sparked debate for its use of AI-generated imagery. The music video features AI-created depictions of Hanne and Marthe as young girls, while Julia appears as a real baby.

According to HLN, Studio 100 spokesperson Jan Pieter Boodts defended the decision as an “artistic choice.” “We use AI to strengthen our creativity,” he said. “We remain critical about its use, but if AI can help us move forward and stimulate our creative input, we can make use of it.”

Hanne acknowledged the divided reactions. “AI remains something new that people are still finding their way with,” she said. “But for us the intention was very clear: we wanted children to immediately recognize who they were seeing.” EU legislation requiring AI labeling in media is forthcoming.

Personal Milestones and What’s Next

Beyond the stage, both Hanne and Julia are navigating significant personal changes. Hanne, who has a son Julien born in November 2022, revealed she is reconsidering her earlier stance on having a second child. Julia and her partner Louis Thyssen recently purchased a house in Belgium that they are renovating together.

With a packed summer schedule ahead — including K3-land in De Panne, performances of ‘Doornroosje’ in Plopsaland, and dozens of shows across Belgium and the Netherlands — the group shows no signs of slowing down. Julia expressed gratitude for the flexible replacement system that allows K3 to continue during maternity leave. “If we had all taken maternity leave like the original K3, I would probably have spent more time at home than on stage in recent years,” she said.

Klaasje’s temporary return marks a unique moment in K3’s storied history — a full-circle reunion that has delighted fans and demonstrated the enduring appeal of one of the Low Countries’ most beloved pop groups.