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Haarlem/ Zandvoort | 2 January 2021

Role model: Ralph Moerman

Young people like to identify with young role models. In our Haarlem Heroes Comic Book We've recorded a series of short portraits of local young heroes who are on their way to achieving their dreams. Why do we call them heroes, what do they do to achieve them, and who is their own hero?

Why is Ralph a hero?

At the age of 6, Ralph accompanied his sister to an audition for a war film to be shot in Romania, when he unexpectedly got a role in it himself. Süskind. Because he stood out in that film, he was later asked to do a Turkish Airlines commercial. He had the opportunity to work with world-famous athletes like Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant and the commercial was viewed 28 million times. Ralph (15) was able to talk about it in TV programs like DWDD and with Ivo Niehe and was seen in the Children's news. But you may know him better from The Voice Kids from 2019, where he made it straight from the blind auditions to the finals. Because the likeable Ralph can sing as well as act.

What's fun about being famous?

“I was a young footballer myself, so meeting Messi in Barcelona was fantastic! I was immediately asked to do other commercials and, for example, the children's program Clock House. The Voice Kids "It was also fantastic, of course. When you're on such a big stage, in the lights in front of so many people, it's really cool." Ralph remains level-headed about it, because he knows that all the attention – he suddenly had 16,000 followers on Instagram – is nice, but can be quite demanding. You suddenly have to do something with it.

Performing on a big stage is really cool.

What does Ralph want to achieve?

Ralph filmed the film in the Efteling for Expedition Fox in which he plays the troubled teenager Dylan. That film was supposed to be released this month, but due to COVID-19, things are changing. He has other film work in the works. He's taking a theater masterclass at the Eerste Christelijk Lyceum. Through the Hart Music School in Haarlem, he sings and plays guitar in the band 'The Essix,' with which he has performed at the Patronaat. Ralph wants to continue acting and singing, and writing his own songs is also a goal, but he doesn't rule out studying law first. Because a good education is also important. For now, Ralph is able to combine it all well.

Who is his own hero and why?

There are two of them and both are singer-songwriters: Ed Sheeran, because virtually every song of his is good, and John Mayer, because of his guitar playing.

Order the Heroes comic book and turn young cartoonists into heroes

In the Hero Comic Book, we've compiled the Hero Portrait series and 54 comic strips by 56 young artists (ages 10-16). The artists drew their heroes, and by including all their work in a comic book, we're turning the artists into heroes themselves. Will you join us? You can comic book order for € 15,- via New Canal Productions who produced it selflessly. All proceeds go to our fund.

Also read the stories of role models Mandy Dollart, Calvin Stengs, Hanna Obbeek and Ahmed Salem.