By Stig Editor 🎤 End of a Legendary Era: Floor Jansen Officially Announces Her Retirement from Music at Age 44
June 28, 2025 – Helsinki, Finland
In a heartfelt and emotional statement released today, Floor Jansen, the powerhouse vocalist best known as the frontwoman of Nightwish, officially announced her retirement from music at the age of 44 — bringing to a close one of the most iconic and transformative careers in symphonic metal and progressive rock history.
“This has been the most beautiful journey of my life,” Jansen wrote in a public letter shared on social media. “But the time has come to embrace stillness, family, and a new chapter. I’m not saying goodbye to music — I’m just choosing a different song.”
🎶 A Voice That Shaped Generations
Jansen, who joined Nightwish in 2012 after fronting bands like After Forever and ReVamp, leaves behind a legacy defined by raw power, operatic brilliance, and deep emotional resonance. Her arrival not only stabilized Nightwish after a turbulent era but helped launch them into a new golden age, with landmark albums like:
•Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)
•Human. :II: Nature. (2020)
•Yesterworld (2024)
Her range — both vocally and emotionally — gave Nightwish a cinematic depth that attracted millions of fans worldwide and brought critical acclaim even outside the boundaries of the metal genre.
💬 Fans and Musicians React
Tributes poured in from fans, fellow musicians, and industry legends:
•Tuomas Holopainen, Nightwish’s founder and composer:
“Floor didn’t just sing our music — she lived it. We wouldn’t have become who we are without her.”
•Simone Simons of Epica wrote:
“Floor has been a beacon of grace, fire, and artistry. She inspired a whole generation of women in metal — myself included.”
Hashtags like #ThankYouFloor and #LegendJansen began trending within hours of the announcement.
👨👩👧 A Personal Choice Rooted in Family
Jansen cited a desire to spend more time with her family — particularly her daughter and husband, drummer Hannes Van Dahl — as the core reason behind her decision.
“Being a mother changed everything,” she shared. “My priorities shifted. I want to be present, not just perform.”
Her recent health battles, including a successful breast cancer surgery in 2022, also shaped her outlook and desire to step away from the demanding life of international touring.
📺 Netflix Documentary in the Works
Coinciding with the announcement, Netflix confirmed production has begun on a documentary titled “The Voice Eternal: The Floor Jansen Story”, set to debut in early 2026. The film will trace her rise from a teenage phenom in After Forever to one of the most celebrated voices in modern music.
🕊️ The Final Note
While this marks the end of Jansen’s time as a touring and recording artist, she made it clear she is not disappearing entirely.
“Music lives in me forever. I may return one day — in a different way. But for now, I’m choosing peace, silence, and home.”
With over 30 years of music behind her, Floor Jansen leaves a void few can fill, and a legacy that will echo in the halls of metal, rock, and hearts of fans forever.
🎵 Legacy Highlights:
•Over 15 studio albums
•Multiple world tours
•Collaborations with Metal Allegiance, Ayreon, and more