Janez Vermeiren happy in Jozi
Janez Vermeiren has no regrets about moving north, where life’s about family and his work behind the camera
FOR years he was the undisputed heart-throb of local TV, interviewing gorgeous people and taking us to beautiful places as a Top Billing presenter. But these days Janez Vermeiren (39) has other priorities – and top of the list are the four people with whom he shares his life: wife Juliana (30) and sons Matisse (13), Vincent (3) and Noah (2).
Janez and Juliana have opened their home in Fourways, Johannesburg, to YOU, leading us through the spacious house with its open-plan living areas to the sprawling back garden where the boys tumble on the lawn.
Janez and Juliana moved here from Cape Town three years ago and “it’s the best decision we ever made”, Janez says. “Cape Town has a lot of distractions whereas Joburg is more about family life. Also, things are just happening workwise.”
He’s right. Since moving to Gauteng, Janez has been throwing his energy into his production company, Cheeky Media, which he cofounded with his friend Yusuf Stevens in 2014. They’re responsible for such shows as Real Talk with Anele, The ManCave and this year’s Safta winner for best reality show, Wingin’ It.
But Janez is most excited about their new e.tv breakfast programme, The Morning Show, which premiered on 7 May.
“It’s going to be a good year for us,” Janez says. “It’s a show that’s 100% ours. We have two hours of live TV every weekday and we believe there’s a gap in the market for what we’re bringing.”
The show – a mix of current affairs, fitness, cooking, comedy and more – welcomes old and new faces to the small screen, including former Russia Today presenter Tumelo Mothotoane and comedian Jason Goliath, who anchor the show, and Miss South Africa Adé van Heerden and actress Michaella Russell, who present various inserts.
“On the one hand it’s a breakfast show that’s quite formal and old school and journalistic,” Janez says. “Then there’s another side to the show that’s purely lifestyle. You tune in for current affairs and news, but it will also have that glossy feel of a lifestyle show.
“It has a very Afrocentric and South African feel but the look and feel is based on the success of American breakfast shows where you have two strong anchors – in our case Jason and Tumelo – with a great rapport.”
Fans of hunky Janez might miss him in front of the cameras but he’s never been happier.
“Truth is, I was never crazy about being a TV presenter,” he says. “What drew me to it was meeting interesting people and travelling.
“TV presenting was a stepping stone. I built a profile and that helped me in my future ventures. The producing side inspires me. Finding new talent out there and giving them a platform is so much more rewarding than doing it myself.”
And now that he doesn’t travel as much as he used to on Top Billing he has more time to spend with his family.
Matisse still lives in Cape Town with his mom but comes to Joburg to see his dad, stepmom and half-brothers as often as he can – although now he’s in high school he can’t visit as often as he used to.
“I definitely miss them and it’s cool being in Joburg,” Matisse says. “I enjoy it. It’s different to Cape Town.”
JANEZ isn’t the only one who’s been building his career. Now that Vincent is at preschool and Noah goes to playgroup three days a week, Juliana has more time on her hands – and she’s making it count. “Last year I did a digital branding course and in January I started a sixmonth yoga teaching course. I’ve always loved yoga and if we were to go anywhere in the world, it’s something I’d be able to teach.
“I’m always on the go. I have ants in my pants,” she says.
Juliana also works part time at Janez’s office, helping out with anything that needs doing.
Svelte in blue jeans and a white T-shirt, Juliana, a former model, tells us she prefers the stability of her life right now over modelling.
“I don’t miss that world,” she says. Being a model involved a lot of travelling and living out of a backpack. Now I love having a home and being a mom.
“I’d had so much practice with Matisse so it wasn’t too much of a shock when my two boys came along – apart from the fact that Matisse was such a good child! My kids came out wild – I think it’s the Brazilian and Belgian genes.”
While Janez and Juliana have given up travelling for work, they still have itchy feet and are looking forward to upcoming holidays in Hawaii and Portugal. Also on the cards is a journey to Juliana’s home country, Brazil, to visit her family.
“I go once a year and we want to go in December. We’ve been together for nine years and Janez has been only once,” Juliana says.
“It’s about time I went back, and I haven’t met her father yet. I still need to ask him if I can marry his daughter,” he quips.
Janez also hopes to take Matisse on a boys’ adventure, as the two haven’t had a father-son break together yet.
“Juliana keeps saying we should do an ultimate boys’ trip when he’s 16. But I’m worried he’ll be too cool for me then. He won’t want to hug his dad anymore. Already I don’t get the kiss on the lips anymore – I just get the cheek.”
Despite their dazzling social media pictures, Janez is quick to assure us they’re very much an average family.
The Vermeiren clan’s idea of a perfect weekend includes day excursions, road trips and hiking.
“Our lives might seem all glossy on Instagram but we’re pretty normal,” he says, laughing. “We have good days and bad days. We have days when the children are moody, days when I’m moody and days when Juliana is moody. There are days when we all get along and days when we fight. But we have a good balance, I think.” Do they hope to expand their brood? “I don’t think there’ll be more,” Juliana says. “Three is enough – it’s a good number.”
“As we get older, it’s becoming more important to spend time together as a family,” Janez adds. “And that includes my parents in Cape Town and Juliana’s parents in Brazil. So if we can get everyone together as much as possible that would be great.
“Something I’ve been lacking for the past 15 years is routine. And I’ve finally got it.” The Morning Show is on e.tv, Monday to Friday from 6 to 8am.
‘TV presenting was a stepping stone. I built a profile and that helped me in my future ventures. The producing side inspires me’