Text: Paul Hofman
Photo: Leon Hendrickx
Video: Paradox Productions
Singer-songwriter Inge Lamboo: ‘There’s nothing more beautiful than being the coolest version of yourself.’ Shortly after her performance at the Pride Amsterdam kick-off party, the audience erupts in applause. Rising talent Inge Lamboo (25) is adored. She’s a singer and a TikTok sensation with nearly 150,000 followers. A few minutes earlier she was announced as an ambassador. Inge is immensely proud and will make her message heard—literally and figuratively—through her voice. ‘I give different feelings a voice.’
Bucket list
Was she surprised to be asked to be an ambassador this year? Inge barely needs to think about that question. ‘Honestly, not really. It’s been on my bucket list for a while. I wanted it so badly,’ she says candidly. We’re sitting on a sunlit terrace in the heart of Haarlem. Her schedule is filling up at lightning speed. Inge is at the start of a new tour.
Vulnerable
Inge grows up with her two sisters and a brother in a warm family in a small village near Haarlem. She is the youngest of four. ‘I was very coddled. Looking back, I can say I had a wonderful childhood.’ When she turns twelve she starts secondary school. That period turns out very differently than expected. She begins searching for herself and discovers she is also attracted to girls. Other events at the time contribute to Inge falling into a depression. ‘At one point I didn’t dare go outside anymore. I was sixteen.’ It was an intense period, she says in hindsight. ‘I was so vulnerable and bottled everything up.’ It was an emotional rollercoaster for her.
Time and space
This period lasts two years. ‘With the support of a trusted counsellor I recovered. My coming-out then happened naturally. I surrounded myself with people I felt safe with and could be myself around.’ Her advice? ‘Don’t rush to come out. If it causes you stress, don’t do it. Choose your own moment and make sure you have the right people around who are okay with it. So give yourself time and space. If needed, wait thirty years. Also cherish the beautiful and positive moments of discovering yourself, that’s my message.’ Meanwhile, at fifteen Inge discovered music. It became her salvation.
Creating music and writing lyrics she sees as a calling. ‘I was occupied with music day and night. It became an outlet for me.’ Inge stepped out of her comfort zone. ‘That’s when I knew what I wanted to do with my life.’ Her guitar means everything to her. ‘I never took lessons but taught myself drums, piano and bass. Music became my medicine.’ Laughing: ‘It kind of got out of hand.’
Pink
After finishing secondary school she decides to attend the Herman Brood Academie. She feels right at home there. ‘PINK is my big example. Her songs mean a lot to me. They give me a lot of power.’ Just as PINK is a role model for Inge, Inge wants to be that for as many people as possible. ‘That’s exactly what I want to pass on to others.’
PINK and her music remain Inge’s main inspiration. She reveals: ‘I ran a PINK fan account for a long time. I posted covers and connected other fans.’ Proudly: ‘At one point PINK started following me on that account. Bizarre, but I didn’t read into it.’ A while later she was offered a contract by Sony Music Entertainment. Inge was completely overwhelmed. ‘I kept it to myself for a long time because I wanted to prove myself first. It would have been too much pressure if everyone knew. Of course I have to do it myself and not sit back. And it’s strange to have contact with your idol. Very cool.’ Last year Inge released her debut album Black Heart, followed by the single Easy. Inge clearly has a lot to offer. In her pop songs she addresses mental struggles like anxiety and heartbreaks.
The ambassadorship suits her perfectly. Inge radiates strength and positivity. Her message? ‘I want to be a voice, literally and figuratively, for those who need it. I’m going to inspire people, young and old.’ Pride Amsterdam is not only a party but also a protest. ‘It inspires me. We’re getting there, I think. I spend a lot of time on social media and regularly see, read and hear intense stories. Also insults. But things are improving. Pride is a celebration of being yourself.’
Mixer
This year she’ll be appearing on several pop stages. ‘I give your feelings a voice.’ She seems destined for the stage. But first, her new tour. Inge has everything it takes to become very big. ‘Live performance is my great passion. All styles are in my music. Whether it’s country, rock or blues, they go in a blender and produce energetic, powerful music.’ We will no doubt hear and see a lot more from her during and after Pride. ‘I’m bursting with energy.’ Her advice? ‘Give yourself the time to come out. Everyone should be able to be the coolest version of themselves.’
Pride ambassador since 2024
