Katherine Jenkins (born 29 June 1980) is a highly acclaimed Welsh mezzo-soprano, a classical-popular crossover singer who has gained an international reputation from her live and recorded performances across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical comedy and hymns. In 2004, at the age of 23, she signed the largest record deal in United Kingdom classical recording history, with an undisclosed seven-figure deal. Jenkins was born in Neath, Wales, where she and her sister Laura were raised by their parents Selwyn John (1924–1995) and Susan. She has twin half-sisters from her father's first marriage, neither of whom she has met.