How MTV completely changed my life

MTV was my big bang.
For a moment, I turned into a human pinball machine. Stars in my head, flashes of light through my body, and a complete short circuit in my brain. Had I really heard that right? Was he seriously asking me if I wanted to be a VJ for MTV Netherlands?

It was during Lowlands in 2002. The head producer of MTV and TMF pulled me backstage by my ponytail with a question that would change my life:
“Are you up for a new, exciting rock ‘n’ roll adventure at MTV?”

I’d had a few glasses of wine, my head was nearly exploding, and all I could think was: are you kidding me?

Become an MTV VJ? Of course!

Daphne Bunskoek was leaving MTV Netherlands and suddenly an opportunity arose. Two weeks later, I showed up — at her farewell party, no less — with a hastily put-together videotape of myself. A nervous presentation, far from perfect, but apparently there was something there.

Because it worked.

I was invited for a screen test at MTV. A week later, I was sweating in the iconic MTV studio. I could hardly believe I was actually there. MTV was the music channel I adored. The place for music, pop culture, interviews, live shows, and international artists.

And now I was the one getting a shot.

I think I said “shit” at least twenty times in fifteen minutes during that screen test, but apparently they found that charming.

My MTV audition: confidence, music, and guts

A week later, I was sitting across from the big boss of MTV Netherlands.
Butterflies in my stomach, clammy hands, but also complete conviction: I knew they had to have me.

I breezed through the conversation with a mix of confidence, humor, guts, and a huge love for music. They felt it too. The click was instant.

And then it happened.

Within two weeks, I had my own daily MTV studio show.

From that moment on, MTV and I became inseparable — and my life changed completely.

My first MTV interview ever: David Guetta

My very first interview for MTV was at Paradiso with a then relatively unknown French DJ.

A charming guy with a sexy crooked nose, good looks, and a heavy French accent that made his English barely audible in the noise of Paradiso. My interview skills were at about level zero, because I had never interviewed anyone before.

Luckily, he was just as nervous as I was.

It turned into a surprisingly fun conversation.

His name?
David Guetta.

Back then, an ambitious DJ. Now a global star who has collaborated with Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, and Madonna, and has grown into one of the biggest DJs in the world.

But in 2002, he was just sitting across from me at a table with a Coke and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

If we had a crystal ball back then, that interview probably would have gone very differently.

MTV memories, old videos, and media adventures

MTV meant the start of everything for me: television, radio, music, interviews, live entertainment, and a completely new life in the media world.

Check out my MTV reel below and dive back into those wonderful years full of music, chaos, backstage stories, and rock ‘n’ roll energy.

Enjoy,
Barbara