When Luka Cruysberghs stepped onto The Voice van Vlaanderen stage in 2017, she was just 16 years old. Nervous but focused, she sang a dark, brooding version of “Sweet Dreams” — inspired by Marilyn Manson’s cover, not the original. It was bold, unexpected, and it worked. All four coaches turned around. Luka chose Alex Callier from Hooverphonic as her coach — a choice that would shape her future in ways no one fully expected.
By the end of the season, Luka had won the whole competition. She made history as the youngest winner of the show in Flanders. But what followed wasn’t just fame or celebration — it was real work, real pressure, and a fast entry into the music industry.
Not long after her win, Luka was invited to join Hooverphonic as their new lead singer. She was only 17. The band was already well-established, with a huge fanbase and international tours lined up. For Luka, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — and a huge leap.
Over the next two years, she toured across Europe, the U.S., and Japan. She stood on big stages, sang in front of thousands, and gained experience most young artists can only dream of. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
In late 2020, the band announced that their former singer, Geike Arnaert, was returning — and that Luka was out. She says she found out just one hour before the news went public, over a Zoom call. The decision hit her hard, not just because it ended a major chapter of her life, but because of the way it was handled. It felt cold. Distant. Like a business transaction.
Starting From Scratch, But This Time Her Way
Source: Screenshot from the official The Voice van Vlaanderen YouTube channel
After leaving Hooverphonic, Luka had a choice: step away from music entirely, or try to find her own voice — separate from the band, the TV show, and the expectations.
She chose to keep going, but this time, on her own terms.
Her first solo single, “Not Too Late”, came out in 2021. It was followed by an EP called Insomnia, and eventually her debut full-length album, Need You In The Light, in 2024. The sound was more stripped-down. Less polished. More real.
This wasn’t just a shift in style — it was a shift in control. Luka turned down offers from big record labels in favor of independence. She built a small team, self-funded her projects, and made the music she actually wanted to make — even if that meant slower growth, smaller stages, or fewer guarantees.
One of the most personal songs she’s written is the title track of her album Need You In The Light. It’s about her grandmother, who passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. The song is soft and vulnerable — not a performance, but a tribute.
That experience didn’t just inspire music — it also led Luka to get involved with Alzheimer’s awareness campaigns. She became an ambassador for the Alzheimer Research Foundation in Belgium, using her platform to talk about memory, identity, and loss — themes that echo throughout her work.
In 2024, Luka returned to television — not as a solo artist, but as part of a duo called Aqua Riyaz, alongside singer Justin Degryse. They competed in Sing Again on VTM, reaching the final stages with a cover of “Habibi” by Tamino. It was a quiet reminder that Luka’s voice still resonates — but now, on her own terms.
Where She Is Now
At 24, Luka is still figuring things out — but now with more clarity. She’s not chasing stardom. She’s focused on honest music, real connection, and creative control. It’s not always easy. There’s less certainty, less security. But there’s also more freedom.
She’s no longer the teenager who surprised everyone on The Voice. She’s a young artist carving her own path — slowly, deliberately, and with a deep understanding of what the industry gives… and what it can take away.
No filters. No fake smiles. Just real music, from someone who’s lived more than most artists twice her age.