We had the good fortune of connecting with Berthe Tanwo Njole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Berthe, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As I always say, I dreamed my life and I’m living my dream ! It goes back to my childhood, when I wanted to be a star. It may seem silly today, but that’s how I felt back then….. My mother enrolled me in the music academy at the age of 10 and I literally fell in love with singing. That’s when the adventure began; from then on, I never stopped. But I learned to sing on my own; I never took lessons. In 2000, my sister Nicole offered me my first performance lessons at a music school called Mouvement, which still exists today. Thanks to my teacher at the time, I discovered performing on stage, as he regularly took us to perform in local bars and restaurants, and in the capital – in my case, Brussels, as I live in Belgium. I then joined various musical groups, as a backing singer and then doing covers. After graduating in 2003 with a Master’s degree in communications, it took me another 6 years before taking a leap of faith and starting my career in the entertainment industry. 2009 is a year I will always remember because that’s when my second life began : this is where I belong, I’ve always known it, I just needed time to make it happen…

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to call myself a Jack-Of-All-Trades because I’m an actor, singer-songwriter, host for film festivals, performer, columnist and most recently I’ve launched my ownYouTube Channel doing interviews.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of entering the entertainment industry. I started out with big dreams ! I wanted to be a star; At the time, I didn’t even know what that really meant but that was my dream !

Once I’ve started learning music theory, and more specifically singing, that’s when it all began : I was meant to be on stage, to sing, act and dance !

When I decided to become a full-time artist, in 2009, I did everything in my power to improve myself as a person and as an artist. Right from the start, I knew that I wanted to diversify as much as possible : not only as a singer, but also as an actor, songwriter, host, and so on.

As I said, I’ve been dreaming my live and all I had to do as live my dream. So I started by registering with various casting agencies in Belgium and abroad, then I continued on auditioning for plays, movies, series. I performed everywhere (‘L Boulevard Festival in Casablanca and Festival des Arts Populaires in Marrakech, Olympia in Paris, Dour Festival in Belgium and many more…), joined music groups, learned new languages like Dutch and Spanish and improved my english. I developped new skills like playing the piano, writing and composing songs, editing videos. I also taken acting workshops/classes, started voice coaching.

Then last but not least, I’ve co-produced, with my musical acolyte, David Corleone (Art Lab), my own projects which result in an EP released in 2017 called Tout simplement je suis and an album released in 2021 called Black Magic and available on all streaming platforms. These two musical projects were made possible thanks to successful crowdfunding campaigns and to all the contributors who participated and made my dream come true ! I’m very grateful to all of them.

So I never stopped improving myself and learning. That’s what got me where I am today !

I’ve always had to step out of my comfort zone and take risks. My biggest challenge is actually financial. So I had to find alternatives to be able to keep working. Thank God, I have my family who always has my back !

I’ve learned that you have to be consistent and disciplined in everything you do, because as Denzel Washington once said : Dreams without goals are just dreams; without discipline, you’ll never start and without consistency, you’ll never finish !

Accept to fail hard, fast and often because FAIL means First Attempt In Learning !

Another great lesson I’ve learned along the way is that No is important and means Next Opportunity and Yes is expensive : learn to say no early on, it will save you time, money and energy !

I want the world to know that you’re enough ! Be yourself because everyone else is already taken !

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will certainly take them to Bruges, Belgium’s little Venice ! With its historc center, bridges and rivers, its superb boutique and its varied offer of veggie, vegan, healthy, urban restaurant. It’s the ideal place to spend a day or a whole weekend !

If in Brussels, I’ll take them to Cook and Book in Woluwe Saint Lambert. A wonderful place full of books where you can have lunch or a drink in a cosy and comfortable surrondings.

Then there’s the plethoria of museums and cultural activities : We’d visit Villa Empain, Bozar with its temporary and permanent exhibitions, MIM Museum (Instrument museum) and of course La Grand Place, a must-see in Brussels !

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to thank, first and foremost my family : my parents and siblings Rolande, Nicole, Françis and Solange. They are my support system, my best advisors and they have been looking after me since day one !
Of course, friends who stick with me all the way : Eva, Delphine, Fanny, Sandrine, David, Priscilla, Coline, Catherine, Florence to name a few and all of you out there : you know who you are and what you did !
All those who trusted me enough (and some still are) to work with me !
Last but not least, my agent, Alain Van Goethem from Lucky Star International Talent Agency, who has supported me for the last three years, ! Best agent ever : Thank you for trusting and believing in me !

Website: www.d-wa.be

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_wa_1/

Linkedin: https://be.linkedin.com/in/berthe-tanwo-njole-32097152

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALPAGEDWA/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@D-WA

Other: https://heylink.me/BertheTanwoNjole/

Image Credits
Marie-Hélène Tercafs David Corleone Gilles Fischer Bart Bevegems Jo Voets

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