1. How was your time at school?

Monique: I was not unpopular, but not super popular either. I always liked to read or to make paintings. I just had a twin-girlfriend, Jacqueline and Annelies. I still have contact with them! We always had a lot of fun with each other. We went on our bikes to see what happened in Sneek, rain or no rain. We also liked to play games.

2. How did you get discovered?

I wanted to go to the HEAO. It is a school where you can study for example Economy and languages, which I already studied in Highschool. (French, German, English and Dutch)

I was looking forward to study, put my plans changed when an Italian Head-hunter did discover me in the discotheque of Heerenveen. (A small city in the North of Holland).

I was looking to a modelling contest and I was surprised that they asked me if I was interested to go to a casting for a TV show. Later, after this casting in Amsterdam , they did call me in Sneek, and asked me to sign a contract with the Channel Italia 7. Of course I did not sign immediately, but I asked my parents what they thought about it. Then I went to Milan and started my career. I never regret that decision!

3. What was it like growing up between the tulips?

I liked it very much. I was born in Sneek, in the North of Holland, in the province called Friesland . Holland is indeed full of tulips, but also with old and modern windmills. And of course we are famous for having beautiful sailing boats! I loved riding my bike and to make houses in the trees.

4. How was it to get famous so quickly?

The first months it was a little odd, because I couldn't speak Italian! It took me a while! The celebrity status, that comes with it and that people were interested in me, having my pictures and asking for my autograph seemed a little strange to me.

Anyway, I got used to it, and started liking it more and more, at this point I really like it and especially by having this website I've come close to many of my fans.

I love interacting with them, reading and responding to the emails I get.

5. What is your favourite drink, colour, music, book, movie, food, photographer, art and country?

I like all the fruit drinks, (the fresh ones!), emerald blue is my favourite colour, I like soul and funk but also rap and romantic songs, books of Deepak Chopra like The world of Merlin or The 7 spiritual laws of success, the movie I love to watch is The Matrix and all the Thai food is wonderful! Helmut Newton is my favourite photographer, and I like the art of Karel Appel, Gustav Klimt and Vincent van Gogh. America is my favourite country.

6. Do you like bikes?

I love zooming around on a motorbike, and especially the biking leathers! My favourite motorcycle moments are spent by enjoying nature and greeting the other bikers!