Marlayne

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Marlayne (born Marleen van den Broek in 1971) is a Dutch pop singer and television presenter. In the mid-1990s, she started out as a backing vocalist for popular Dutch artists, including singer René Froger. Performing under the stage name Marlayne, she soon pursued a solo career. Her early work even included singing a TV show theme song in 1994. By the late 1990s, Marlayne was ready to step into the spotlight on her own.

Eurovision Song Contest 1999 – Breakthrough

Marlayne’s big break came when she entered the Dutch selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1999. Her song “One Good Reason” was chosen as the Netherlands’ entry for the contest in Jerusalem. Notably, it was the first Dutch Eurovision entry performed in English since 1976. At the Eurovision final, Marlayne delivered a strong performance. She finished in 8th place out of 23 contestants, earning a respectable 71 points for her country. This achievement introduced Marlayne to a wide audience and launched her career nationally. Her Eurovision appearance made her a household name in the Netherlands.

Post-Eurovision Music Career

After Eurovision, Marlayne continued to build on her music career. In 1999, she recorded a duet with Dutch singer Gordon titled “Ik kan het niet alleen” (“I Can’t Do It Alone”), which became a modest hit. She also performed at major Dutch music events. Marlayne released her first album Meant to Be in 2001, featuring pop tracks that highlighted her voice. This remains her only album to date. In addition to studio work, she made live appearances with other artists. For example, she sang at the popular Vrienden van Amstel LIVE concert in 2001. Marlayne also stayed connected to Eurovision in the years following her performance. She served as the Dutch voting spokesperson, announcing the nation’s points during Eurovision broadcasts in 2000, 2001, and 2003. Over a decade later, she was even invited to be a member of the Dutch jury for Eurovision 2014. 

Transition to Television

In 2003, Marlayne transitioned into television presenting, which would become a major part of her career. She joined SBS6, a national TV channel, as a news presenter on the popular program Hart van Nederland (Heart of the Netherlands). This evening news and human-interest show made her a familiar face to viewers across the country. Marlayne’s warm on-screen presence led to more opportunities on television. From 2003 to 2012, she also hosted the late-night entertainment news program Shownieuws on SBS6, keeping audiences updated on showbiz highlights. In addition, she helmed and took part in various Dutch TV shows spanning reality, talent, and lifestyle genres. For example, Marlayne presented De Nieuwe Uri Geller, the Dutch edition of a magic talent series (The Successor). She also hosted De Afvallers met Sterren, a celebrity weight-loss competition, and later co-hosted Afvallers XXL, a similar weight-loss show for the public. Her versatility was further proven when she led programs like Huizenjacht (a house-hunting show) and Van rommelzolder tot droomhuis (a home makeover series) in the mid-2000s. Marlayne even branched into radio, hosting shows on Radio Utrecht around that time. Throughout these endeavors, she kept an active, hands-on style, engaging viewers with her friendly and professional demeanor.

Later Career and Present Activities

Marlayne has remained active in entertainment in recent years, balancing both presenting and performing. In 2018, she stepped back into the spotlight as a contestant on the dance competition show Dance Dance Dance, where she formed a dance duo with actor Patrick Martens. This appearance showed her willingness to take on new challenges outside of her usual hosting duties. In 2020, Marlayne returned to her musical roots by touring with a live band in a production called A Tribute to 2016, which paid homage to music legends like George Michael and David Bowie. She continued touring into 2022–2023 with a show titled Legends We’ve Lost, alongside presenter Buddy Vedder, honoring iconic artists who had passed away. Marlayne has also kept up regular TV appearances. In 2024, she surprised viewers as a “secret singer” on the celebrity music game show Secret Duets. The same year, she took part in the Top 2000 Quiz, a special music trivia program on Dutch television. Her TV roles even extended into light-hearted reality: in 2025, Marlayne appeared in Kom je bij me eten? VIPS, a celebrity dining show, where she joined other famous faces in a friendly cooking and dining competition.

Even after decades in the public eye, Marlayne remains a well-known and respected media personality in the Netherlands. She continues to anchor Hart van Nederland as one of its longtime presenters, bringing news to viewers night after night. Additionally, she still engages audiences with her music and stage performances whenever the opportunity arises.