Jenna von Thäne in the Premium Speakers Interview

18. November 2024 – Astrid Berndt

Jenna von Thäne is an energetic presenter and media all-rounder with over ten years of experience in events, radio, TV, and online formats. As a native Berliner and a Leipzig resident by choice, she brings spontaneous, empathetic, and charming hosting to various events—from city festivals to corporate functions. With a degree in media studies and a journalistic traineeship, she combines expertise and creativity, complemented by her experience as a musician and in the event industry.

Jenna hosts not only live events and TV shows (including MDR and RTL), but she also knows her way behind the scenes as an author, voice-over artist, and producer. Her versatility and intuitive understanding of people make her the ideal choice for any type of event.

Jenna von Thäne in the Interview:

1. How did you become a presenter, and what sparked your interest in this profession?

Jenna von Thäne:

A straightforward path? Not for me! Even as a child, I dreamed of the spotlight and wanted to be an actress or singer—anything that would allow me to entertain people and make them smile. I acted in theater groups, sang, and played at city festivals with a singer-songwriter group, even joining my first girl band. A highlight of my music career: performing as the opening act for a major German band in front of over 40,000 people—what a feeling!

My application to GZSZ (a popular German TV show) as a teenager didn’t work out, so it was: “First, get a proper education!” After training as an event technician, internships, first event presentations, a media technology degree, and a traineeship in journalism, I landed my first radio show at ENERGY Sachsen. Later, I moved into the TV business at RTL, where I learned the craft of being a TV author and reporter.

Moderating brings together everything I love—people, variety, and the stage.

2. What were the biggest challenges you faced in your career as a presenter, and how did you overcome them?

Jenna von Thäne:

Existential fears, lack of a network, self-doubt! The media world is fascinating but not always friendly, especially for those without connections. As a working-class kid without many contacts in the media world, my dream job often felt out of reach. Many opportunities seemed closed to me, whether because of a lack of financial resources, connections, or simply because there are no typical job postings for presenters. To earn money, I worked side jobs, like elder care, while I was still in school. During my education and studies, I was also active as a musician—years of forgoing vacations to pursue my dreams.

The hardest phase was probably starting my freelance career. At first, things were going well, but then the work dried up, and I faced an existential question: “Should I give up?” It was a time full of uncertainty. What got me through was a mix of persistence, optimism, and support—especially from friends and family.

Openness, passion, and perseverance opened doors for me: I made valuable contacts and got new opportunities. All the self-doubt and setbacks made me a stronger person. Because my dream of hosting—entertaining people, telling them stories—is still what drives me, and every challenge brought me closer to it.

3. What qualities and skills do you think are the most important to be a successful presenter?

Jenna von Thäne:

Passion and perseverance are crucial for successful hosting—you have to love what you do and genuinely enjoy it! Good preparation, a clear plan, and structure are just as important as flexibility, to react confidently to spontaneous situations. Of course, charisma is essential—that presence that inspires people and makes them feel comfortable. I also believe that reliability is very important. Being dependable helps to quickly build trust with others.

4. Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or challenging event that you moderated?

Jenna von Thäne:

A special event for me was the pitch and award ceremony for “Youth Research Meets YOUTH STARTUP” in the Leopoldina Hall. In cooperation with the Weinberg Campus Technology Park, the two successful German youth competitions met here for the first time. Research and entrepreneurship spirits collided! About 60 motivated young people aged 17 to 25 from all over Germany developed innovative business ideas and pitched them to a jury and audience.

It was really exciting, and I have to admit, I initially felt a little out of place—there were so many smart minds around me! Me, who struggled with math during high school. But then I realized: I’m here to host the event, and that gives me the chance to bring my creative path. I spoke honestly about my own challenges, and if I can trust the feedback, it was well received.

The young researchers and founders were truly impressive. From thirst for knowledge to stage fright—everything was there, and their ideas were amazing. I had a lot of fun guiding the program, being part of such innovative ideas, and exciting the audience.

5. What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career as a presenter?

Jenna von Thäne:

If you want to pursue a career as a presenter, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Just do it! Try things out, fall down, and get back up. Everyone is different, and not everyone will like what you do or how you do it. That’s completely fine! What’s important is that you find yourself and believe in yourself. Always seek support from friends and family.

Get hands-on experience! Take every opportunity to gain experience and strengthen your presence. Practice makes perfect! You can practice at home in a safe space: record yourself, watch it back, and develop your own style. Your first small steps in the live field could perhaps be at events hosted by clubs. Offer your moderation for an event for free and use the opportunity to gain experience and get feedback. Criticism is important to improve. Remember, nobody’s perfect, and you can’t please everyone.

Also, watch other colleagues and learn from them. Voice and stage presence training are also helpful, and remember to build a network. Connections are worth gold and can open doors for you. Be prepared for setbacks along the way, but keep at it. Don’t forget: bring your own style—because that can truly be unique. And most importantly: have fun!

Jenna von Thäne

Media all-rounder & Presenter