Slim K — (*born Slim Khezri, 18 July 1972, as the oldest of three children in Lübeck Hansestadt, Schleswig-Holstein) is a German entertainer; a singer, songwriter, writer and actor of Tunisian origins, based in Los Angeles, California. An artistic polymath and all-round talent with an experience of twenty-plus years in music, film, theater, writing, photography and design.
Slim was the first born son of Mohamed Laziz Khezri (Tunisian, Hotelier, immigrated to Switzerland and later to Germany, in 1969) and Dalila (Tunisian, born Khemiri), followed by two further sisters. He began singing and dancing at the age of 10, His mother acknowledged early on and supported his artistic talent. His father introduced him to the golden age of cinema and film. Slim was raised in a multi cultural environment, he grew up in Timmendorfer Strand and Lübeck, Germany. He spent six years, from the age of 10 to 16 in Tunis and Jendouba, Tunisia.
Slim had a very “rich” upbringing; as he often describes himself: ‘I’m open minded and very European in nature, of Tunisian origins.. I think like an American and I was born in Germany, what more can you ask for? Yes, I am very fortunate, a bon vivant and consider myself World Citizen’ he laughed ‘I had a very rich upbringing you know. Not meaning money, just culturally. Growing up between two different cultures, between Europe and Africa, going through nine schools and having all of that at my disposal’. The talented musician says the 70s and 80s in particular helped shape his musical journey. ‘grew up listening to the likes of Abba, Kraftwerk, Chic, Roxy Music, Queen, Boney M and later Duran Duran, Kajagoogoo, Michael Jackson and many more. When I was living in Tunisia, my Uncles introduced me to Motown, artists like The Temptations, The Commodores and Stevie Wonder, also to Earth Wind and Fire, Kool & The Gang, James Brown, Miriam Makeba and to French chanson, like Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf etc. Later as I got older and mature, I got into classical, jazz, opera, swing and other genres’ he said. ‘was very fortunate to have that experience’.
Encouraged by his schoolmate, Selim Gökduman, a fellow musician and Turkish saz player, Slim made his stage debut on 14 October, 1989 at a Turkish Event, in front of an audience of 580 in Lübeck Hansestadt, Germany.
In 1990 and 1991, Slim tours constantly, performs at local venues, regional clubs, events and singing competitions.
At age 19, Slim makes his TV debut, performing a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” on the German “Rudi Carrell Show” (which had 17 million viewers that night). The show had a similar concept to “Star Search” or “Pop Idol”, Slim achieved second place in the contest and also became “highlight of the year” which brought him a lot of media attention in Europe. Eventually he received offers for record deals from basically every major German record label and went on touring worldwide for the next ten years, sharing the stage with acts like Take That, DJ Bobo, Worlds Apart, Army of Lovers, Haddaway, Captain Hollywood, Dr Alban, Sidney Youngblood, Tic Tac Toe, Mark Owen and many more.
‘Everybody can do a Michael Jackson move, but how many dance like Michael and sing “Live” like Michael?’ he said ‘I can, I understood the challenge, I was able to recreate the whole concept on stage’, he notes ‘I never thought or felt that I looked much like Michael though, I was never a Michael doppelgaenger in my view you see, I’m very much a singer but I considered myself an actor in those days, I saw myself more of a stage character, a performer, who knew the essence and felt the confidence to play that role well enough, I rehearsed it every single day for hours I remember, the role of Michael Jackson fitted me like a perfect glove, I was able to perform with passion, emotion and power Michael could, and still close as possible though in my humble opinion .. just close as possible, cause NO one can ever reach these exact heights and the unique magic of a Michael Jackson but Michael himself, trust me I witnessed Michael from the side or back of the stage on many occasions!’. Slim had established himself as a household name with his portrayal as the ‘King of Pop’, virtually overnight and gained the recognition of fans worldwide and from Michael’s father Joe Jackson.
In December 1991, Slim attends Deutscher Fernsehpreis (German Television Award, formerly known as ‘Telestar’), equivalent to the US. Emmy Awards.
In 1992, Slim becomes one of the main show attractions at the amusement park ‘Phantasialand’ in Brühl (near Cologne), North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, performing there for three months, 7 days a week as part of a full-blown Las Vegas style impersonation production, featuring the ‘Rudi Carrell Show’ greatest contestants.
October 1992, Slim meets with Michael Jackson for the first time (who was on tour with Dangerous) in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
In 1993, Slim tours Austria and in 1994, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark and Finland.
In winter 1995, Slim makes his United States debut, performs in multiple clubs and events in Las Vegas (Nevada) meets with legendary entertainers and magicians Siegfried & Roy, attends a Barry Manilow concert, visits Flagstaff (Arizona) and the Grand Canyon.
In 1996, Slim gives a two-hour benefit Concert for his native Tunisia, with the support and attendance of the Tunisian Ambassador in Hamburg, Germany. The concert airs simultaneously live on Tunisia’s state radio.
1996, Slim gets invited to tour Sri Lanka and Mumbai (India), but cancels at the last-minute due to safety reasons.
In 1997, Slim meets once again with Michael Jackson, travels and works briefly with him on the European leg of History tour as Assistant to Creative Consultant Bruno Falcon aka “Pop N Taco” .
In 1998, the Tunisian TV show ‘Klacket’, dedicates a one hour special on Slim, it features an in-depth look into his career and an interview followed by a live performance.
In 1999, Slim performs at the German Bowl Tailgate Party (German equivalent of US Super Bowl) at Eintracht-Stadion (capacity 25,000) in Braunschweig, Germany. (This officially marks Slim’s final Michael Jackson show)
Between the 90s and 00’s, Slim worked and collaborated with many accomplished and popular music producers, dj’s, recording artists and many independents. He worked on a variety of music and art related projects including fashion events, most notably with Nsync, Fall Out Boy, The Backstreet Boys, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, KRS-One, Sarah Connor, Lifehouse, Panic! At The Disco, Michael Jackson and many more.
In 2000, Slim added actor to his resume, when he works on the comedy “Little Nicky”, playing a Demon (uncredited, extra), starring Adam Sandler. Since then, he has appeared in numerous TV and film productions, commercials, music videos, video games and theater on both sides of the Atlantic.
Summer 2002, Slim performs for the first time with original songs in a series of radio Open Air events for NDR and R.SH in Germany and in August, he attends the annual Popkomm (international trade show for the music and entertainment business) in Cologne.
In 2006, Slim produces videos on opening receptions of art exhibitions in Los Angeles, for the Swiss based Vernissage TV.
Summer 2007, Slim returns one more time as Michael Jackson on the Japanese TV show ‘Goro’s Bar’.
In 2007, Slim launches the independent record and publishing company DoubaJen Records.
Between September 2007 and April 2008, Slim works at the Los Angeles Opera, under the general direction of legendary tenor and conductor Plácido Domingo.
In May 2008, Slim releases the single “Burn The Disco” worldwide, including remixes by Sinan Mercenk, Thorsten Adam, Marcel Agterhuis and Mhe Hseeri, and was met with an overwhelming success worldwide.
2008; Slim works on the movie “Angeles & Demons”, Directed by Ron Howard, produced by Brian Grazer and starring Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård and Armin Mueller-Stahl.
In December 2009, Slim works briefly on ‘Code Z : The Zombie Series’, directed by Taj Jackson (3T member and Michael Jackson nephew).
In 2010, Slim signs a licensing agreement with Sony Music.
In May 2010, Sony Music releases “Campari-Sunset House Club” [2 CD], featuring Slim K ‘s ‘Burn The Disco (Move & Dance) – Sinan Mercenk’s Eat This Remix’ in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In October 2010, Slim releases the ballad “Open Up Your Heart” worldwide, which receives some notable success in South America, Japan and the Far East.
Slim is married to Phoenix Kazree, (American, classically trained dancer, competitive pole artist and Broadway performer), they have one son together, Tarek Laziz Khezri (born 9 March 2001, Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, California).
Slim resides primarily in Los Angeles, California. He moved in 1998 to help further his creativity and career.
Slim is a superb cook and also fluent in German, Arabic, English, French and conversational in Turkish. He is highly enthusiastic. He gets excited easily over a new idea or opportunity. His nature is unconventional. He’s is a bit of a gambler, taking risks whenever he thinks the rewards are worth it. He loves change, new experiences, meeting new people, adventure and travel. He loves the exotic, far away places. Variety is more than mere spice of life – He thrives on it. He is also extremely flexible and adaptable. He has more curiosity than the proverbial cat. Slim has a sharp mind, a great sense of humor and a natural ability with words. He is a born communicator, clear, fluent, and imaginative in every area that interests him – which are many! Change – the only constant in life – does not threaten him, as it does other people.
He is also very socially oriented and rarely, if ever, dull or boring. Slim is, of course, drawn to those people who, like himself, are original an free thinkers and have exciting personalities. He enjoys being involved in several projects at the same time. He needs continual stimulation by the new and fascinating, and tends to discard boring pastimes quickly. He is highly enthusiastic. A bit of an adventurer, always on the hunt for something exciting, fresh and new.
His Film highlights include: Save the Last Dance (2001), Rat Race (2001), When The Nines Roll Over (2005), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), The Sexaholic (2007), In God I Trust (2007), Article 301 (2008), Confused Illusion (2007), The Haunted House of Chronic (2009), Yes Man (2008), Angels & Demons (2009).
TV highlights: Unlocking Ancient Secrets of the Bible (2006), Entourage (2007), Gene Simmons: Family Jewels (2008), Nip/Tuck (2008), Mystery ER (2008), Kids Unlimited, 1000 Ways to Die (2009)
Theater: Ich Glotz TV (1989), Ludwig Van Beethoven: Fidelio (2007), Giuseppe Verdi: Otello (2008)
Visit link for full detailed resume http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/slimkhezri
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