Photo: Annemieke van der Togt
Interview: Paul Hofman
Shary-An broke through to the mainstream during the first season of The Voice of Holland. She now has three albums to her name and scored hits with the songs Never Played The Bass and Summer of My Life. “If you listen to my song Save You, you’ll hear how I feel about this year’s theme! Believe in yourself and don’t let anyone bring you down. That’s important and necessary.
Interview
“IT’S OKAY TO BE GAY…IN EVERY CULTURE”
Pride Amsterdam is proud of its new ambassadors. Among the names, the lesbian singer Shary-An Nivillac immediately stands out. She recently finished her ‘Project Me’ tour. With heart and soul she will work during Pride Amsterdam to increase the visibility and emancipation of LGBTI people. “I’m all in. Because you are who you are, right?”
Originally of Antillean–Dutch descent, she speaks enthusiastically about her background. “At thirteen I was already singing in a local church choir.” Her talent was noticed, so she decided to audition for the hugely popular television show The Voice of Holland. Shary-An was one of the youngest contestants ever. She reached the semi-finals, where she eventually lost to a competitor. In the end, the much-discussed Ben Saunders took the crown.
Her first steps on stage had been taken. She now has two studio albums to her name. Her latest, Project Me, was released recently. She scored hits with Never Played The Bass and Summer of My Life. “Right now I’m busy making my dream come true. It’s incredibly hard work but I love it.” She is certainly ambitious. “With my music I want to cross borders. But for now my focus is on the Netherlands.” Then she laughs and adds: “And if my music career goes well, I might one day open my own coffee shop.” Singer Gordon did that before her. The music world holds few secrets for Shary-An these days.
At the moment she not only performs regularly as a singer but also works in education by day, coordinating projects in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in The Hague. She does this with great pleasure, she says.
When she was asked to become an ambassador she responded with enthusiasm. “I loved it. This way I can use my voice and performances to contribute to this very important organisation.” Pride Amsterdam is close to her heart. “Wherever possible I will show my face. I’ll encourage the party and celebrate freedom and love with everyone. That we have the freedom to hold Pride Amsterdam is already unique in the world. And we will do it well again this year. I fully identify with this year’s theme as a lesbian woman. I believe you should be who you want to be. Being gay is okay in any culture.”
She is proud to be a role model as an ambassador. “It sounds simple, but for some people it’s incredibly hard to be themselves. But you don’t have to be ashamed of who you are.”
Research shows homosexuality can be difficult in bicultural communities. “For LGBTI people who grew up in that environment it’s important to know there are others like them. I want to show they are not alone,” she says passionately. The thought of performing on Pride stages in Amsterdam with her band and seeing the audience sing and dance gives her a big thrill. “That’s why I do it. It gives me so much positive energy. It’s just super cool!”
She falls silent for a moment when anti‑gay violence is mentioned. Incidents have increased, especially in recent months. The image of tolerant Netherlands is showing cracks. “It’s fucking sad. I have no other words. I really don’t understand how people can do this. It’s the ultimate proof that not everyone can be who they want to be. This must absolutely stop.” She has never personally experienced violence. “I can’t imagine how terrible that must be. My motto is to be yourself and everything will be fine. But I have to adjust that a bit because, unfortunately, it’s not possible for everyone.” Through her ambassadorship she will be able to express the theme ‘This is my Pride’ very well, her admirers say. “Because in the end we are all the same.” The anthem is very close to her heart, she adds.
With her music the pop artist will no doubt light up the capital’s stages.
Shary-An can’t wait for the Pride festivities to start.
Pride Ambassador since 2017
