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Do (singer)
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Key Information

Dominique Rijpma van Hulst (Dutch pronunciation: [doːmiˈnik ˈrɛipmaː vɑn ˈɦʏlst]; born 7 September 1981) is a Dutch singer known by her stage name Do (/d/ DOH). She is best known for singing the vocals of "Heaven", DJ Sammy's worldwide top 10-hit in 2002–2003, a cover of the 1980s hit of the same name by Bryan Adams.

Early life

[edit]

Dominique Rijpma van Hulst was born in 1981 in Valkenswaard, Netherlands.[1] She was raised by her stepfather Willem-Jan van Hulst, a popular tennis coach. At age fourteen, she planned to compete in Wimbledon, but an injury ended her tennis career.

Her first musical performance was in café Old Dutch in Valkenswaard, which led to a record label deal with Sony Music BMG.

Music

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Early career

[edit]

Before she even released a single, Do was a supporting act for the tour of 5ive and Montell Jordan in the Netherlands. The first single she released was the song "Real Good".[2] Although the music video was frequently played on the Dutch music channel TMF, it was not a hit song in the Netherlands. Later in an interview, she said: "It wasn't my sound, and I hated the video. Thankfully it wasn't a hit, 'cause I don't want people to remember me from that song."

After that, Do collaborated with DJ Sammy and Yanou, who is also her producer. The song was a cover of Bryan Adams' song "Heaven". It became an international hit. It reached the number one spot in the United Kingdom and was a Top ten hit in several countries.[3]

A candlelight remix version was made with a slower, piano instrumental. During this time, she had some problems with the credits of the song. Everywhere she went, she was asked if she was DJ Sammy because the song (in accordance with most dance songs) was credited to DJ Sammy, and she was the main focus in the video.[4][5] Do's candlelight version of "Heaven" is also used for the ending sequence of the TV series Cold Case, first season episode 8 "Fly Away".[6]

Do

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Do's self-titled debut, Do, was released in 2004, and reached No. 3 in the Netherlands.[citation needed] The first single from the album, "Voorbij", a duet with Marco Borsato, reached No. 1.[citation needed] She also had top-ten hits in the Netherlands with her next two singles, "Love Is Killing Me" (which reached the No. 6)[citation needed] and "Angel by My Side" (which reached No. 10).[citation needed] The fourth single was planned to be a cover of the Cyndi Lauper song "I Don't Want to Be Your Friend". The plan fell through - Do's management did not get the rights to release it as a single.[citation needed] The album received the Gold status (40,000 copies) in the Netherlands.[7] To end the year, she recorded a Christmas song with Trijntje Oosterhuis on the order of Sky Radio. It was called "Everyday Is Christmas". Due to the airplay it reached No. 7 in the Dutch Top 40.[8]

After the tsunami disaster in Indonesia, Do joined several Dutch artists to record a song for the victims of the tsunami. The song, "Als Je Iets Kan Doen" (If You Can Do Something), reached No. 1 in the Netherlands and stayed there for several weeks. All of the profits from the song went to the victims of the tsunami.[9]

Follow Me

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Do's second album, Follow Me, was released in the Netherlands on 19 June 2006. The first single was also called "Follow Me". The song was written by Bryan Adams and had already been recorded by Melanie C in 1999. The single peaked at No. 39 in the Dutch Top 40 but did better in the Megacharts Top 50, peaking at No. 17. The album debuted in the Dutch Megacharts Album Top 100 at No. 8 and peaked there for two weeks. The album contains 12 songs. The album meant a lot to Do, whose friend worked on the album with her before dying.

The second single from Follow Me was "Beautiful Thing". This song did better in the charts than "Follow Me" and it peaked at No. 23. It stayed in the Top 40 for 9 weeks. The video for "Beautiful Thing" was shot in Bonaire just like the third single of the album "Sending Me Roses" which was only released as a digital track. The two videos form a story.

In 2006, Do did a tour called Follow Me theater tour.

The fourth single from the album was "I Will". It was released in February 2007. The song was re-recorded in Sweden. However, no video was made and the song failed to chart.

Do has also had a Dutch EP, entitled "Zingen in het Donker". (Singing in the Darkness.) The self-titled song was recorded in 4 different languages. (Dutch, English, German and French.) The proceeds were sent to a charity for Domestic Violence victims.

On 20 December 2009, Do premiered a new song, called "Nobody But Me", which was said to be off her upcoming album. Dominique Rijpma van Hulst stated the album was going to be released around March 2010; however, it has yet to be released.

In 2010, Dominique Rijpma van Hulst released an LP version of "Zingen in het Donker". (Singing in the Darkness) It had a very limited release in Europe, and only available on the European iTunes Store. The album contains 10 tracks from DO, and unlike her previous albums, "Zingen in her Donker" is completely in Dutch. The first single is titled after the name of the album.

Cinderella

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From November 2007 to March 2008, Do starred in Assepoester, a Dutch version of Cinderella, as the title character. The production was held at the Efteling Theatre, a theatre in the Efteling amusement park in the Netherlands. It was Do's first live theatrical performance.[10]

Personal life

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On 7 July 2007, Do married Marc Verschoor in Barcelona.[11] The couple divorced in 2010 but reconciled in 2012.[12][13] She gave birth to a son on 2 January 2014.[14] She gave birth to another child in November 2017.[15] Do posed nude for, and was featured on the cover of, the January 2009 issue of the Dutch edition of Playboy.[16][17]

Discography

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Albums

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
NL BEL
(Vl)
Do 2004 3 94
Follow Me 2006 8
Zingen in het donker 2010
Bubbles & Bells 2011 63
Drie kleine kleutertjes en een dappere dodo 2015 44
Uncovered Studio Sessions
Momentum 2017 30 142
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

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As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions
NL BEL
(Vl)
"Real Good" 2000
"Heaven (Unplugged)" 2003 4
"Love Is Killing Me" 2004 6 40
"Angel by My Side" 10
"Follow Me" 2006 18
"Beautiful Thing" 17
"Sending Me Roses"
"I Will" 49
"Zingen In Het Donker" 2009 57
"It's Christmas" 2010
"Hij Gelooft In Mij" 2011 1
"Laat Het Nu Maar Vrij" 2012
"Zonder Jou" 2016
"Sterker Dan Alleen" 2017
"Kerstmis, Je Bent Welkom Hier"
"Gewoon Speciaal" 2019
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Collaborations

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
NLD BEL
(Vl)
CAN AUS FRA GER IRE NOR UK USA
"Heaven"
(DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do)
2001 12 14 7 4 5 10 3 8 1 8
"On and On"
(ft. Yanou)
2002 75 68
"Heaven" (Candlelight Mix)
(ft. DJ Sammy & Yanou)
2003 4 4
"Voorbij"
(ft. Marco Borsato)
2004 1 2
"Everyday It's Christmas"
(ft. Trijntje Oosterhuis)
7
"Als Je Iets Kan Doen"
(ft. Artiesten Voor Azie)
2005 1
"On the Topshelf"
(ft. Inge van Kemenade)
2008 25
"Vijf jaar"
(ft. Pieter van der Zweep)
2011 84
"Ik Wacht Hier Op Jou"
(ft. Tango Tinto)
2013
"Habibi I Love You"
(ft. Chawki & Pitbull)
5
"Blame It on Love"
(ft. Michael Mendoza)
2014
"Stil"
(ft. Jim Bakkum)
"Kerstmis Vier Je Samen"
(Various Artists)
65
"Degene Die Gaat"
(ft. Mathieu & Guillaume)
2018 [a]
"Stil In Mij (Verspijkerd)"
(ft. Josylvio)
23
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

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Award Category About Result
2007
Dutch Musical Awards Best Big Musical Cast of Cinderella Nominated
2006
TMF Awards The Netherlands Best Dutch Female Artist Herself Nominated
2005
TMF Awards The Netherlands Best Dutch Female Artist Herself Nominated
2004
Edison Awards Best New Artist Herself Nominated
BMI Pop Award U.S.A Best Pop Herself Won
TMF Awards The Netherlands Best Dutch Female Artist Herself Won
2003
World Music Awards Monte Carlo, Monaco Best Dutch Female Artist Herself Won
Dancestar Awards Miami, USA Best single of the year DJ Sammy & Yanou Ft. Dominique Rijpma van Hulst - Heaven Won
TMF Awards The Netherlands Best New Act Herself Won

Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Dominique Rijpma-van Hulst (born 7 September 1981), known professionally as Do, is a Dutch singer and . She first gained international recognition in 2001 for providing the vocals on the cover of ' "" by and , which topped charts in several European countries, including the , and reached number eight on the Hot 100. Originally from Valkenswaard, Do began her music career in the early 2000s and released her self-titled debut album Do in 2004, featuring the single "On and On" and a Dutch collaboration "Voorbij" with that hit number one in the . Subsequent albums include Follow Me (2006), the Dutch-language Zingen in het Donker (2010), and the holiday collection Bubbles & Bells (2012), showcasing her versatility in pop, dance, and local genres. In addition to music, Do has appeared on television, notably as a judge on Belgium in 2013 and performing on shows like De Beste Zangers in 2011, where her cover of "Hij Gelooft in Mij" became a chart success. More recently, she has continued releasing singles such as "Leef je in mij" and "Hetzelfde" in 2023, and "Dancing Shoes" in 2025, maintaining her presence in the Dutch music scene.

Biography

Early life

Dominique Rijpma van Hulst, professionally known as Do, was born on September 7, 1981, in Valkenswaard, . Her father, Willem-Jan van Hulst, worked as a coach, which sparked her early interest in the sport. From a young age, she developed a passion for and pursued it with the goal of becoming a professional player, training intensively and competing at a high level. At age 15, a serious injury ended her career, leading her to redirect her energies toward music. As a teenager, she gained initial experience and confidence by participating in local talent shows and performing in cafés around her hometown.

Personal life

Do, whose real name is Dominique Rijpma van Hulst, married her then-manager Marc Verschoor on July 7, 2007, in , . The couple's marriage faced difficulties, leading to a divorce in 2010 after nearly three years together. Following the separation, Do and Verschoor reconciled in 2012 after reconnecting during a trip to , reigniting their relationship. Their renewed partnership culminated in the birth of their son, Jip, on January 2, 2014, after a particularly challenging delivery. The couple later welcomed a daughter, Loulou, on November 16, 2016. They have since maintained a stable family life, with Do describing the arrival of their children as a profound affirmation of their bond. Despite her public career, Do has consistently prioritized around her family, sharing only selective glimpses of her personal milestones on while shielding intimate details from widespread scrutiny. This approach allows her to balance motherhood and professional commitments without exposing her loved ones to excessive public attention.

Career

Early career and breakthrough

Do was discovered by after performing at a café gig in 2001, leading to her signing with the label and entry into the professional . Her breakthrough came through a collaboration with and , where she recorded vocals for their cover of ' 1983 ballad "" in late , with the single released in early 2002. The track blended uplifting electronic beats with Do's emotive delivery, quickly gaining traction in the European club scene. "" achieved significant global success, entering the Top 10 in numerous countries and reaching number one in multiple European markets including the , the , and . It peaked at number eight on the in the United States and topped dance charts worldwide, ultimately selling over two million copies. This performance propelled the single to widespread radio play and club rotation, establishing Do as a prominent vocalist in the genre and drawing early media coverage for her fresh interpretation of the classic. The release sparked Do's initial promotional efforts, including live television appearances across such as performances on VIVA TV and collaborations at events like the TMF Awards, where she joined for renditions of the track. These activities helped build her visibility ahead of her solo endeavors.

Debut album: Do

Do's self-titled debut album, Do, was released on July 1, 2004, via under the Ariola imprint, blending pop and electronic elements with dance influences across its 13 tracks. Building on the momentum from her featured vocals on the international hit "Heaven," the album marked her transition to a lead artist, featuring co-writes by Do on several songs including "Close to You," "Should I," "Selfish," and "I Believe in Love." Key tracks highlight Do's versatile style, including the piano-driven remix "Heaven (Piano Mix)" written by and , the upbeat "On and On (Piano Mix)," the intense "Love Is Killing Me" penned by Tony Cornelissen and Allan Eshuijs, the heartfelt "Angel by My Side," and the bonus duet "Voorbij" with , composed by John Ewbank and Han Kooreneef. These selections showcase a range of tempos and emotions, from introspective arrangements to more energetic pop productions. The album achieved strong commercial success in the , debuting at number 8 and peaking at number 3 on the , where it remained for 35 weeks. It also briefly charted at number 94 in the Belgian () Albums Chart for two weeks. Leading singles propelled its performance: "Voorbij" topped the Dutch Singles Top 100 for three weeks and spent 22 weeks on the chart, while reaching number 2 in () for 16 weeks; "Love Is Killing Me" peaked at number 11 in the for nine weeks and number 40 in . Both singles saw limited international releases beyond , contributing to the album's regional breakthrough. Critics noted the album's emphasis on Do's vocal prowess and emotional depth, positioning it as a pivotal step in her evolution from collaborative features to solo prominence.

Follow Me and Cinderella

Do's second studio album, Follow Me, was released on June 9, 2006, by in the . Consisting of 12 pop tracks, the album debuted and peaked at number 8 on the Dutch Mega Album Top 50 chart, spending 10 weeks in the top 100. The title track, "Follow Me"—a cover of 's song—served as the , released on March 30, 2006, and peaked at number 18 on the Dutch Single Top 100. The 's themes center on and relationships, as evident in songs like "Take It Like a Man" and "Beautiful Thing." It received mixed reviews, with critics noting its solid pop production but lesser commercial impact compared to Do's debut , which had peaked higher on the charts. Despite this, Follow Me marked a continuation of Do's vocal style from her self-titled debut, blending upbeat with ballads. Bridging her debut in 2004 and Follow Me, Do contributed to the 2005 charity single "Als Je Iets Kan Doen" ("If You Can Do Something") alongside a of Dutch artists under the name Artiesten voor Azië, in support of the 2004 victims. The track, originally a duet by Karin Bloemen and Edsilia Rombley, topped the for four weeks and the Single Top 100 for three weeks, raising funds for relief efforts. In late 2007, Do diversified into theater by starring as the title character in Assepoester, the Dutch adaptation of Cinderella, at the Efteling Theatre from November 14, 2007, to March 24, 2008. Produced by Efteling Theaterproducties and V&V Entertainment, the musical featured Do performing live songs and acting alongside cast members including Loeki Knol as the Fairy Godmother and Esther Hart in a supporting role, drawing audiences to the Efteling amusement park's venue for a family-oriented production of the classic fairytale.

Later albums

In 2010, Do released her first Dutch-language album, Zingen in het Donker, marking a significant stylistic shift toward introspective pop with themes of personal reflection and emotional depth. The album, comprising 10 tracks, was produced under the Piapella label and featured elements, emphasizing her return to roots in the after international English-language efforts. Following this, Do ventured into seasonal music with Bubbles & Bells in 2011, a holiday-themed release blending classic Christmas covers such as "" and "White Christmas" with original compositions. Issued as a 12-track CD, the album catered to festive audiences in the Dutch market, showcasing her versatile vocal style in a lighter, celebratory context. In 2014, Do collaborated on the children's album Drie Kleine Kleutertjes En Een Dappere Dodo, reinterpreting traditional Dutch nursery rhymes like "Drie Kleine Kleutertjes" and "Berend Botje" in a format. The 14-track project, released digitally and on CD, highlighted her role as a mother and aimed at young listeners, reflecting a pivot toward accessible, educational content. Uncovered Studio Sessions arrived in 2015 as an acoustic collection of 10 tracks, offering stripped-down reinterpretations of her past hits including "Blame It On Love" and "Heaven." Produced for intimate listening, the album demonstrated her vocal maturity and connected with longtime fans through raw, unplugged arrangements. Do's final major studio album to date, Momentum (2017), returned to contemporary Dutch pop with 11 tracks exploring resilience, personal growth, and reflections on the previous decade's joys, struggles, and emotions. Released via JB Productions, it served as both a retrospective and a forward-looking statement, capturing life's ebbs and flows in melodic form. In addition to her musical releases, Do expanded her career into television. In 2011, she performed on the Dutch show De Beste Zangers, where her cover of "Hij Gelooft in Mij" became a chart success in the . She later served as a judge on in 2013. From 2010 onward, Do's output increasingly targeted the domestic Dutch audience, incorporating her native language and diverse genres from introspective ballads to family-oriented projects, amid a with her husband in 2012 and the birth of their two children. This period saw lower commercial peaks compared to her early international breakthroughs, with albums like Bubbles & Bells achieving modest chart entry in the but not matching prior successes. Post-2017, her major releases ceased, influenced by family priorities, though she has issued occasional singles such as "Stil In Mij" (2019), "Leef je in mij" and "Hetzelfde" (2023), and "Dancing Shoes" (2025), signaling a selective evolution toward balanced personal and artistic pursuits.

Discography

Albums

Do has released seven studio and specialty albums, spanning pop, Dutch-language, holiday, children's, and acoustic styles. The following table catalogs her albums, including release years, labels, formats, and peak positions on the Dutch Album Top 100 where applicable.
TitleRelease yearLabelFormatsPeak (NL)
Do2004Ariola / Sony BMGCD, digital3
Follow Me2006Ariola / Sony BMGCD, digital8
Zingen in het Donker2010Piapella (independent)CD
Bubbles & Bells2011Under Control BasementCD63
Drie Kleine Kleutertjes En Een Dappere Dodo2014Nutricia / KukidoCD38
Uncovered Studio Sessions2015CTM Music & ManagementDigital
Momentum2017CTM Music & ManagementCD, digital30
No major compilation albums or reissues have been released as of 2025.

Singles as lead artist

Do's singles as lead artist primarily emerged from her debut album Do (2004), marking her breakthrough in the Dutch music scene. The lead single, "Voorbij", a duet with , topped the chart for three weeks and spent 22 weeks on the Single Top 100. Released in international versions, "Love Is Killing Me" reached number 6 on the , supported by radio airplay across . In 2005, "Angel by My Side" was issued as a digital single, peaking at number 11 on the and charting for 17 weeks, highlighting Do's growing digital presence. From her second album Follow Me (2006), the title track entered the at number 17, with a total of 8 weeks on the chart. In 2011, her cover of "Hij Gelooft In Mij" from the TV show De Beste Zangers became a number-one hit on the . Later lead singles include "Leef je in mij" (2023) and "Dancing Shoes" (2025), maintaining her presence in the Dutch pop scene as of November 2025.
YearTitlePeak (Dutch Top 40)Weeks on chart (Single Top 100)AlbumNotes
2004Voorbij (with Marco Borsato)122*DoB-side: N/A; Gold certification in Netherlands
2004Love Is Killing Me69*DoInternational versions released; B-side: N/A
2005Angel by My Side1117*DoDigital-only release; B-side: N/A
2006Follow Me178*Follow MeB-side: N/A
2011Hij Gelooft In Mij120Non-album singleCover from De Beste Zangers; B-side: N/A
2023Leef je in mijNon-album singleB-side: N/A
2025Dancing ShoesNon-album singleB-side: N/A
Do's most prominent featured appearance came early in her career on the 2001 trance cover of Bryan Adams' "Heaven," where she provided the lead vocals for DJ Sammy and Yanou. Released as a single in 2002, the track topped the UK Singles Chart for one week and reached number one in several other countries, including the Netherlands and Australia, while peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It earned a BMI Pop Award in 2004 for significant airplay success in the United States. In 2002, Do featured on "On and On" by Yanou, a trance track that received airplay but did not chart highly. In 2005, Do contributed vocals to the charity single "Als Je Iets Kan Doen" by Artiesten voor Azië (Artists for Asia), a collective effort featuring Lange Frans & Baas B and numerous Dutch artists to raise funds for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami victims. The song debuted at number one on the Dutch Top 40 and held the position for four weeks, becoming one of the fastest-selling singles in the Netherlands that year. Throughout the 2000s, Do made several guest appearances on Dutch pop tracks, enhancing her presence in the local scene. In 2004, she collaborated with on "Voorbij," a that reached number one on the for three weeks and supported the promotion of Borsato's album Zien. That same year, she joined for a holiday single, "Everyday Is Christmas / Merry Christmas Baby," released as a festive collaboration. Later in the decade, in 2008, Do featured on "On The Topshelf" by Inge Van Kemenade, a niche pop track blending electronic elements. These appearances often involved remixes or live festival performances, showcasing her versatile vocal style in joint projects. Post-2010, Do's collaborations became more selective, focusing on electronic and international projects. In , she provided featured vocals on "Habibi I Love You" by , alongside Pitbull, a multilingual pop track that charted in several European countries and gained traction through play. In 2016, she reunited with the "" melody in a re-recorded version featured on Dash Berlin's track, tailored for modern EDM audiences and performed at electronic music events. Additionally, she participated in limited one-off features, including voice contributions to initiatives in the during the mid-2010s, aligning with her interest in family-oriented projects. In 2023, Do featured on "Hetzelfde" by Frenna. These efforts contributed to sustained streaming success, with key collaborations like "" accumulating millions of global plays by 2025.

Awards and nominations

Do has received several awards and nominations throughout her career. The following is a selection of notable ones:
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2003TMF Awards (Netherlands)Best New Dutch SingerHerselfWon
2003World's Best Selling Dutch ArtistHerselfWon
2003DanceStar USA AwardsBest Single of the Year"Heaven" (DJ Sammy feat. Yanou & Do)Won
2004TMF Awards ()Best Dutch Female ArtistHerselfWon
2004BMI Pop Music AwardsMost-Performed Pop Song"Heaven" (DJ Sammy feat. Yanou & Do)Won
2005TMF Awards ()Best Dutch Female ArtistHerselfNominated

References

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