Connie Witteman (72) no longer wants to appear on television. She thinks the medium, and Dutch showbiz in general, has become too superficial. “My life is now complete.”
Society star Connie Witteman, also known as Connie Breukhoven and Vanessa, has no need for a role in the Dutch media landscape. For years she belonged to the diva trio of the Netherlands, together with Patty Brard and Patricia Paay, but of this trio only Patty is still very active.
Not on red carpet
Connie is retiring and living a life of luxury with Bulldog boss Henk de Vries. She is absolutely not looking for a role in the media, like Patty. We never see those two walking together on a red carpet. “Henk doesn’t like publicity. At least not from publicity about his private life,” she explains in the weekly magazine Privé.
The result? No Connie at a musical premiere, no Connie at the Televizier gala, no Connie at a celebrity party. “He doesn’t like to pose with me at a party for photographers or television crews. He is not a man who likes to be in the spotlight. That’s not his thing.”
‘So superficial!’
Business is different, Connie continues. “He owns The Bulldog chain (a coffee shop, ed.). He just talks about that in public. And I’m from showbiz. Actually, not quite anymore. But it is my world.”
But she no longer gets to see that world. “It’s been nice. I wouldn’t be able to find my way anymore either. My life is complete now, without showbiz. There are still plenty of requests coming in, but I no longer have the need. It has all become so superficial.”
Sparkle in the box
Connie doesn’t like it anymore. “Because I am an emotional person, I miss that sparkle in the profession. You actually see the same faces on TV for too long and often.”
She concludes: “Just leave me like this, I’m at my best right now.”