Meet Nienke Jansz | Model, singer and content creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nienke Jansz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nienke, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been a creative person, I grew up in a musical family which I think sparked something in me. My dad plays the guitar, my older brother the drums and my other brother the bass guitar and piano. My mom is creative when it comes to arts and crafts so I always learned a lot from her in that regard. When I was very young I started piano lessons, guitar lessons and then once I was 12 I started singing which I ended up loving and pursuing. I then did a summer course at Berklee college of music in Boston and then started to go to the Dutch pop academic which is a music college in the Netherlands.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up in a musical family. Everyone plays an instrument except for my mom, however she is very creative when it comes to arts and crafts so I learned a lot from her in that regard. When I was 5 years old I started piano lessons, then guitar lessons and then once I turned 12 I started singing lessons. I found out I had a love and talent for singing and ended up pursuing that. I did a summer at Berklee college of music in Boston and then decided to go to the Dutch pop academic in The Netherlands which is a music college. While I was studying I found a love for being on stage, but also being in front of the camera. I thought why not apply for some modelling agencies and see what happens? After meeting with about 10 agencies finally a smaller agency was interested in signing me. Then, an agency from Milan came to visit my agency in The Netherlands to scout girls. Me and my dad went to the meeting and because I was still studying music they asked me to sing for them. I was so nervous but I think this made me stand out because a couple of weeks later I was invited to Milan. I continued school online, graduated and started traveling to Istanbul, Cape Town, Paris and London, where I ended up staying for 5 years. During Covid I was traveling to Cape Town because there were no restrictions there and I could still work and do shoots. I ended up doing a test shoot with a photographer on the beach and he got a dm from a huge agency in LA that wanted to sign me. It was always my dream to move eventually move to Los Angeles so when I had that opportunity i grabbed it with both hands!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in West Hollywood and funny enough my parents are coming to visit me soon. I love a good brunch and one of my favourite spots is called superba, their hotcake is incredible. For dinner I would say either Pace, which is a little authentic Italian restaurant or another favourite is called The Nice Guy. I would take them to Runyon for a hike. Visit the Ghetty museum. Drive down the PCH to Malibu and eat lunch at nobu. Maybe rent some bikes and bike through Venice. Visit a farmers market on Sunday. I love the diversity LA has to offer! There’s so many choices.

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?
Absolutely, my parents deserve a massive shoutout. They have always supported my dreams. Financially in the beginning but also encouraged me through times where I could’ve given up. I am pretty certain that I won’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.

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

Image Credits
@tomilakatsman
@milianeyes
@france.and.jesse