Axelle Red full name is Fabienne Demal, is a Belgian singer-songwriter and actress whose soulful voice and eclectic style, blending pop, soul, and R&B, have made her a prominent figure in French-language music.

Rising to fame with her 1993 hit “Sensualité,” she has released 12 albums, including Sans plus attendre and Jardin Secret, earning critical acclaim and over 5 million records sold worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Axelle Red, was born on February 15, 1968, in Hasselt, Limburg, Flanders, Belgium, to Mr. Roland Demal, a solicitor and councillor for the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), and Mrs. Demal.

Axelle excelled academically, graduating from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) with a law degree in 1993, while simultaneously pursuing music and drama at a performing arts school.

Her bilingual fluency and early exposure to soul, jazz, and pop shaped her distinctive musical style.

Career

Axelle Red’s career began with her 1983 single “Little Girls” as Fabby, followed by “Kennedy Boulevard” (1988) and “Aretha et moi” (1989), both hits in Belgium.

Signing with Virgin Records in 1992, she adopted the stage name Axelle Red, reflecting her red hair and fiery personality.

Her debut album, Sans plus attendre (1993), was a breakout success, selling over 500,000 copies in Belgium and yielding the hit “Sensualité,” a #2 single in France in 1994.

Her second album, À Tâtons (1996), recorded in Nashville with soul legends Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper, sold 370,000 copies.

In 1998, she performed “La Cour des Grands” with Youssou N’Dour at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, broadcast to over a billion viewers.

Her third album, Toujours Moi (1999), sold 800,000 copies, earning her the Victoire de la Musique for Female Artist of the Year.

In 2002, her duet with Renaud, “Manhattan-Kaboul,” topped French charts, selling 800,000 singles and winning awards.

Her fourth album, Face A / Face B (2002), paid homage to disco, followed by French Soul (2004), her first greatest hits compilation.

Jardin Secret (2006), recorded in Memphis, earned her the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Her first English album, Sisters & Empathy (2008), was followed by Un Cœur Comme le Mien (2011) and Rouge Ardent (2013), both gold-certified in Belgium.

Exil (2018) explored electronic and rock influences, and her 2022 The Christmas Album featured soulful holiday covers.

In 2023, she celebrated 30 years with a best-of tour.

Axelle made her acting debut in Ellektra (2004) and has appeared in Danse avec les stars (2023) and The Voice van Vlaanderen (2014) as a jury member.

Awards and Nominations

1993: International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – Platinum Award for Sans plus attendre (1 million sales)

1999: Victoire de la Musique – Female Artist of the Year (Won)

2003: Victoire de la Musique – Original Song of the Year for “Manhattan-Kaboul” with Renaud (Won)

2003: NRJ Music Awards – Best French Song for “Manhattan-Kaboul” with Renaud (Won)

2003: NRJ Music Awards – Best French Duo with Renaud (Won)

2006: Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres – Won

2007: Commandeur in the Belgian Order of the Crown – Won

2008: Doctor Honoris Causa, Hasselt University – Won for social commitment

2008: Humo’s Pop Poll – Best Belgian Singer (Won)

2008: Gouden Klaproos – Won

2014: Gouden Huppel of Hasselt – Won

2018: Radio 2 Hall of Fame – Won

2019: Golden Hasselt Award – Won

Personal Life

Axelle Red, 57 years old, has been married to Filip Vanes, her manager and teenage sweetheart, since 1998, with their wedding held in Marrakesh, Morocco.

They have three daughters: Janelle (born 1999), Gloria (born 2003), and Billie (born 2005).

The family resides in a village near Brussels, with Axelle maintaining homes in Paris and Hasselt.

Axelle enjoys football, soul music, and travel, having visited Sri Lanka for UNICEF aid post-2004 tsunami.

Her commitment to activism earned her the Commandeur in the Belgian Order of the Crown and an honorary doctorate from Hasselt University.

Discography

Studio Albums:

Sans plus attendre (1993) – SNEP: Platinum

À Tâtons (1996) – SNEP: Platinum

Con solo pensarlo (1998, Spanish)

Toujours Moi (1999) – SNEP: Platinum

Face A / Face B (2002)

Jardin Secret (2006)

Sisters & Empathy (2008)

Un Cœur Comme le Mien (2011) – BEL: Gold

Rouge Ardent (2013) – BEL: Gold

Exil (2018)

The Christmas Album (2022)

Live Albums:

Alive (in concert) (2000)

Compilation Albums:

French Soul (2004)

The Songs (Acoustic) (2015)

Selected Singles:

“Little Girls” (1983, as Fabby)

“Kennedy Boulevard” (1988)

“Aretha et moi” (1989)

“Sensualité” (1993) – FRA: #2

“Elle danse seule” (1994)

“Je t’attends” (1994)

“Manhattan-Kaboul” (2002, with Renaud) – FRA: #1

“Ce Matin” (1999)

“Je me fâche” (2002)

“La Claque” (2011)

Net Worth

Axelle Red, a Belgian singer-songwriter and actress, has an estimated net worth of $0.5 million to $2 million USD.

Her wealth is derived from over 5 million record sales, including platinum albums like Sans plus attendre and À Tâtons, as well as global tours and performances at events like the 1998 FIFA World Cup.