For Ann-Dominique and Danny, life is about more than music and fame. In between performances and cameras, they are busy making sandwiches, singing with the children and building their dream lives.
Red carpets
They have been together for almost ten years. What started as a quick, obvious love grew into a stable life with two daughters.
“It took some getting used to going on red carpets and being photographed everywhere,” says Ann-Dominique. “But you get used to it. He had his own apartment, but was actually always with me. After two months we officially lived together. We were crazy about each other, really inseparable.”
In those early days she was there at every performance of Danny. “At some point you’ve seen it all, then I’d rather stay at home,” she says, laughing. Now the children sometimes come along when their father performs during the day.
“That is special to see. They look like him, love dressing up, singing and performing. When our eldest was three, she was already half on stage with Monique Smit. The youngest also sings all day long. Sometimes it is maddeningly busy, but also very funny.”
‘They look like him, love dressing up, singing and performing.’ © own image
A normal family
Danny knows how to combine fatherhood with his life as an artist. In the evening he performs in Antwerp in front of a full house, and the next morning he is back on the schoolyard.
“We are actually just a normal family. The ironing is done, the garbage is taken out and the cars are washed. Only he is often away at the weekend.”
“In the ten years that we have been together, he has started to do more and more, although I often have to give him a task. He does the garbage, which I think is really a man’s job. He also has to wash the cars. When I ask if he will take the windows with him right away, he first looks as if he has no intention of doing so, but in the end he does the whole house. That is typical Danny.
And yes, I sometimes grumble about little things, that he keeps his shoes on or doesn’t hang up his coat. That is part of living together.”
Because Danny is often at home during the day, he spends a lot of time with the children. “He picks them up from school, takes them away and reads to them. Then we put them to bed together.
Then we eat together, all go upstairs and divide the tasks. One dries, the other helps with dressing. That’s nice. They just have to sing a little softer in the morning, because then he is still sleeping.”
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During the day, Ann-Dominique is not only busy with the children, but also with her own work. She has a line of accessories and is active on Instagram. “We actually do that together. He helps me a lot with filming and editing. As soon as the children take a nap, we say: quickly film now! Because you need daylight.”
Education & babysitting
Danny and Ann-Dominique think the same about education. “We were both raised by parents who were not strict, but clear. We try to raise our children the same.
He is a bit spoiled by his mother, he used to get breakfast in bed. We don’t do that, but on Sunday mornings we roll into the kitchen in our pajamas. Then we make sandwiches and make sure there is plenty of everything on the table.”
Their parents live around the corner, so the children often visit there spontaneously. “René and Natasja are busy, but there is always time for the grandchildren. My parents live around the corner, so they can easily go there. Sometimes they sleep there, but usually just at home. Then a babysitter comes who we know through friends.”
Me time
When the children are in bed, Ann-Dominique takes time for herself. “Then I turn on a Spanish series or friends come over. Of course, sometimes some laundry still needs to be done, but I’m happy to postpone that until tomorrow.”
They often do something fun together, at least once a month. “Whether it is with friends or just the two of us, we always make it a real outing. And he always pays. He takes that for granted. A true gentleman.”
‘Of course sometimes some laundry still needs to be done, but I’m happy to postpone that to tomorrow.’ © own image
The next step
They moved into their new home five months ago. “When it’s all over, it gives relief,” she says. “Everything went well until we had a leak. Then you sometimes take it out on each other. But now that we have moved, we always say: we love it here.”
In recent months they attended many weddings, which sparked new plans. “I can see us getting married, with the daughters as bridesmaids. I used to want that before we had children, but this seems even better to me. We are saving for it. Because if we do it, we want to do it well. Not big, just intimate. And preferably in Spain.”
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Shooting days
Even during shooting days for their series The Frogers: Greetings From… family life remains central. The children simply come along, also to Germany or England.
“During the recordings, Danny and I take care of them. If I have to get dressed, they are with grandpa and grandma. It actually feels like a holiday, only there are camera people there. We cook, barbecue, play games. It is our family, just in a different setting.”
The new program can be seen on TLC from next Wednesday at 8:30 PM. Can also be viewed weekly on HBO Max.
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