Glennis Grace

Glennis Grace (born Glenda Hulita Elisabeth Batta on June 19, 1978) is a Dutch singer known for her powerful voice and soulful performances. She first gained fame as a teenager and built a successful music career in the Netherlands. Over the years, she has represented her country in international competitions and wowed global audiences with her Whitney Houston tributes. 

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Glennis Grace was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch mother and a father from Curaçao. She showed musical talent from a young age. At just 11 years old, she even performed on stage with legendary singer Julio Iglesias, hinting at her future in music. Her big break came in 1994 when, at 15, she won the Dutch TV talent show Soundmixshow. She impressed judges and viewers with a stunning rendition of Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time”. This victory made the Netherlands take notice of her exceptional vocal talent and marked the start of her professional singing career.

Eurovision Breakthrough and National Success

In the early 2000s, Grace continued to develop her career. She released her debut album and several follow-up records, slowly building a fan base. Her major national breakthrough came in 2005 when she entered the Nationaal Songfestival, the Netherlands’ selection contest for Eurovision. Grace won the competition with the ballad “My Impossible Dream,” earning the honor of representing the Netherlands at the 50th Eurovision Song Contest. She did not advance to the Eurovision final that year.

Grace’s star continued to rise in the following years. In 2011, she scored a number-one hit in the Netherlands with her emotive cover of the song “Afscheid.” She performed this song on the TV program Beste Zangers, and it struck a chord with the public, topping the Dutch music charts. By 2012, Glennis Grace had joined forces with other top Dutch artists (including Trijntje Oosterhuis and Edsilia Rombley) to form the supergroup Ladies of Soul. She remained part of Ladies of Soul for a decade, showcasing soul and pop classics live until 2019 and officially departing the group in 2024. 

International Recognition on America’s Got Talent

In 2018, Glennis Grace reached a new international audience as a contestant on season 13 of America’s Got Talent (AGT). Appearing on the American TV stage brought her widespread recognition. Throughout the competition, she continued to impress with powerhouse performances. Grace advanced to the finals of AGT, finishing as one of the top ten finalists that season. While she did not win the competition, she achieved a huge personal milestone. Her journey on AGT introduced her to millions of new fans worldwide and drew comparisons to Whitney Houston for her vocal style.

Television Roles and Recent Projects

Beyond AGT, Grace continued engaging in high-profile musical projects. In 2020 she was invited to perform as an interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled in Rotterdam, alongside DJ Afrojack, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She later fulfilled this opportunity in the rescheduled Eurovision 2021 show, delivering a powerful performance of David Guetta’s song “Titanium” for an international TV audience. In mid-2021, Glennis Grace also joined The Voice of Holland as a coach, tasked with mentoring new singing talent. However, after just a couple of episodes into the season, the show was suspended. Grace’s role on the show ended abruptly as a result of the show’s cancellation, not due to any issue on her part.

Despite those setbacks, Grace stayed focused on her music career. In late 2021 and into 2022, she released an EP titled WHITNEY – a tribute by Glennis Grace, featuring live covers of Whitney Houston songs from her concerts. She also continued to perform live. Her ability to channel Whitney Houston’s spirit in her performances remained a big draw for fans. In fact, after a turbulent period, she returned to the stage with renewed energy. By late 2023, Glennis Grace was headlining Whitney Houston tribute concerts in large venues across the Netherlands and Belgium. In February 2024, she was invited to perform a private Whitney Houston tribute for the Sultan of Brunei’s family – a testament to her international appeal. 

Controversies and Challenges

Like many public figures, Glennis Grace has faced challenges and controversy. The most notable incident occurred in February 2022, when she was arrested after an altercation at a Jumbo supermarket in Amsterdam. The trouble began after her 15-year-old son claimed he was roughly handled by a store employee. In response, Grace, accompanied by others, went to the supermarket to confront the staff, which escalated into a physical dispute. Security camera footage later showed Grace pushing or slapping a staff member during the fracas. She was detained for three days and formally charged in relation to the fight.

In November 2022, the court sentenced Glennis Grace to 200 hours of community service for her involvement in the group brawl, though she was acquitted of any assault intent. Grace apologized for her actions and acknowledged the incident as a lapse in judgment. This controversy tarnished her reputation. However, after fulfilling her legal consequences, Grace focused on rebuilding her image. By mid-2023, she resumed performing and gradually won back public support through her music and open remorse over the episode.

Personal Life

In her personal life, Glennis Grace married businessman Moos Majri in 2006, and that same year they welcomed a son named Anthony Shane Majri. Although the marriage ended in divorce in 2012, Grace has often expressed how important her son is to her.