This is how you become famous
Tips from Lenneke van Ingen
When I say Anna Nooshin, Geraldine Kemper, Yara Michels and Miljuschka Witzenhauzen, you say: famous. But actually, you should say: Lenneke van Ingen, because she is the manager behind this talent. Her company ‘A Million Faces’ has been around for ten years as we speak, and that's why she wrote the book ‘How do I become famous?’ Look, and secretly we all want to know that.
Lenneke, why did you write this book?
‘Someone said years ago that I should write a small book called ‘How do I become famous?’. I thought at the time: I'm really not going to write a book because I had no desire to do that at all. But last year, a publisher approached me to think about a book on yoga, burnout, and meditation. Only my company had been around for ten years, so this book came out anyway.’
Do you have something with yoga and meditation?
‘That's the only reason I can do this. Some people are averse to it, but you have to make time for yourself. I have worked super hard for the past ten years. There comes a moment when it doesn't go so easily anymore, when you have to start thinking and make time for yourself. I watch what I eat, I exercise... I just turned 38 and then your hangovers just last longer, haha. At Bluebirds, my ‘zentrum’ for body and mind, talents also come. There you get courses focused on stress management. They are incredibly busy, so you have to keep an eye on the agenda, learn to say no, not want to do everything at once. You have to make choices.’
You are always looking for talent, but what is actually your talent?
‘I think I'm good at seeing opportunities. Just having that little bit of guts and just going for it. I started for myself without thinking about it. You have to network, even though I find it awful to approach someone I don't know. I'm insecure, so that remains exciting. But I think everyone has that. By the way, I have a good trick for that: I always let myself be introduced. That makes it easier because you don't have to step over that threshold.’
And if you had a manager, what would they go crazy about?
‘That I always have new ideas. On the one hand, that's fun, but Talisia, my right hand, often thinks: oh my god, can we first finish this? She also does the planning, which is nice for everyone.’
“I call that the turnaround effect”
How do you see if someone has it in them to become famous?
‘It's a bit of a gut feeling. I call it the turnaround effect. People who stand out have that. When Jan Versteegh, Tess, or Miljuschka walk in, there comes an energy that makes people want to turn their heads.’
What is the golden rule if you want to become famous (if it already exists)?
‘First of all, you can't make a plan to become famous. You have to be curious about the profession, want to learn, develop, maybe even learn to edit. There is no school to become famous, that's too empty for me. It's a profession, and you have to have an interest; being a presenter can be learned.’
Is there also a mistake?
‘Yes, thinking that you are the best. It's lurking somewhere, the more famous you become. You have to get used to it, and it does something to your insecurity and ego; it's actually a kind of shock reaction. Sometimes you think: I'm the best in the world. But then I can tell you one thing: that's never the case. You can always think about things or learn.’
Do you sometimes advise against it?
‘If you are very shy like I am, then I would think about it again. It's quite something if you have to step over a threshold every time you go to work.’
“Oh my god, can we first finish this?”
That's why you don't stand in front of the camera yourself?
‘It's not natural for me; it makes me very uncomfortable. A long time ago, I had a casting for 6pack because I wanted to get into the profession. I did get a job there, but then behind the scenes.’
In your book, I saw that Anna Nooshin emailed you for half a year?
‘Yes, I was busy and we had a talent stop. You can't work with everyone, and we are careful about who we take on. But then three people said: if Anna wants to talk to you, you should do it. I was so impressed and thought only: wow, this woman. She is a presence; I couldn't even think of a good reason why she wanted to work with me. Anna and I are 1 and 1 is 3.’
Is there a talent with whom you have something special?
‘Tess Milne was our very first intern. My mother said: you have to see her. And I said: mom, I don't even have a real company. Tess walked into my kitchen at our first meeting. She's a bit awkward but very disarming. After half a year, my first partner left. I conspired with Tess that we had to continue; she was there from day one.’
When can a talent call you?
‘Everyone can call because I'm always looking for new people. But nowadays there are some gatekeepers before you come to me for coffee. I sometimes find that a shame, but I also have to make choices. Just make a video and send it; you never know. I now think I have the most beautiful stable in the Netherlands, and I'm very proud of that. At the book launch, 38 of my 46 talents were there; that has never happened before. It feels a bit like family with each other.’
Lenneke wrote this book to celebrate ten years of ‘A Million Faces’. With tips and tricks for when you want to become famous yourself. It's an exclusive behind-the-scenes look, with even a few scoops. Curious? Here order your ‘How do I become famous?’
