Jan Smit Reflects on Childhood Fame and Burnout in “Beau’s House”
Jan Smit discussed the pressures of early fame and his subsequent burnout during a recent appearance on “Beau’s House,” sharing insights into his childhood experiences and path to recovery.Looking through a photo album with Beau van Erven Dorens, Smit reminisced about his early career and the importent role played by his then-manager, jaap Buijs, whom he described as a “second father.” Smit acknowledged the unusual dynamic of their relationship, noting, “It’s strange that you have to go out with someone who is forty years older than you. But we were great friends right away.” Buijs helped smit understand the privileged position he held as a performer, stating, “We don’t have a difficult life.”
Van Erven Dorens offered a different perspective, pointing out the isolation Smit experienced. “I also see a boy who is actually pulled away from his habitat. And sometiems you had to perform in Germany for 250 days.” Smit admitted he hadn’t considered this at the time, enjoying the performance aspect.
While emphasizing he wasn’t forced into anything, Smit acknowledged missing out on typical childhood experiences.He recalled spending time alone in hotel rooms, with Buijs ensuring appropriate boundaries. “Then he saeid, ’John, we’re not going to do that. Good luck and see you tomorrow,'” Smit remembered, left to entertain himself with toys. “Your childhood is being taken away from you,” he reflected, a realization that came into sharper focus after becoming a father himself.
Years later, Smit experienced a burnout. the conversation turned to hobbies while the pair were making pottery, revealing Smit’s current passion for jigsaw puzzles. “It calms me down fully. Then I just sit at the big table sometimes for four or five hours,” he said, often choosing puzzles with ten thousand pieces “Just clear your mind.” He began puzzling as a coping mechanism following his burnout, alongside cycling as another outlet.
When asked about the effects of the burnout,Smit explained,”You start to take it out,you become very stimulated and then you take it out on the people closest to you. you become very short.” He described the period as deeply sad, admitting, “That felt like failure.” Van Erven Dorens attempted to reassure him, stating it wasn’t a failure, a perspective Smit acknowledged he needed to learn to accept.
To find peace, Smit retreated to Spain, seeking anonymity. When asked about his time there, Smit explained they were essentially “going back in time.” He shared that therapists had helped him process the impact of being thrust into the spotlight at age ten, stating, “If you analyze everything… What it all does to you is actually quite a lot to process.” They confirmed that a period of struggle wasn’t a question of if,but when.
Smit continues to prioritize his mental wellbeing, stating, “Every month I talk to someone,” not necessarily due to ongoing issues, but to ”spar with someone.”
The interview originally aired on “Beau’s House” and is available to view on Videoland.
