Evelien Kong is a battle tested, veteran TV producer and director who recently created and hosts the heavy hitting podcast, Reppin. With more than 25 years of experience in Hollywood, she’s produced award-winning documentaries with MTV, crafted digital content with Law and Order SVU, and worked with heavyweights like Mick Jagger, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Kerry Washington, and JJ Abrams all the way to President Biden. Inspired by her experiences from behind the scenes, Evelien created Reppin, to share the raw, unfiltered conversations she has with your favorite stars with a mission to present representation in a way that goes beyond race, gender, or orientation.
With over 60 episodes, Two #1 spots on podcast charts, and guests ranging from Yvonne Chapman of CW’s Kung Fu to Russell Hornsby of Showtime’s The Affair, Reppin and Evelien have been offering listeners a refreshing take on representation from some of the world’s biggest players.
FWM: When you began your career in entertainment, what intrigued you the most?
I was and still am a huge pop culture, film, and television fan. So, I loved the idea of being a part of this world that was so exciting, creative, and magical! I wanted to create those same experiences and love for entertainment for others. I was also curious about what happened behind the scenes.
And since then, I’ve been so fortunate to have been a part of awesome projects and to work with immensely talented people on and off camera. I realize that I’m so lucky to do what I love. Creating that magic and being a part of that process is the best job—but it’s also a lot of hard work! But I absolutely love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
FWM: You have produced award-winning documentaries with MTV and worked with heavyweights like Mick Jagger, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and Kerry Washington to name a few. What have you learned along your journey?
Meeting people whose work you’ve enjoyed is really wonderful, fun, and inspiring. But I absolutely love the creative process like producing television shows and creating custom content for films—and really being a storyteller regardless of what genre I’m working in or what project I’m on. If audiences enjoy and connect with your work – I mean, that’s really the cherry on top!
FWM: What was your inspiration for your hit podcast, Reppin?
Reppin really is a fusion of many ideas I’ve had over the years. I have these opportunities to meet really interesting people and have had great off-camera conversations where I was getting glimpses into who they were as people beyond their roles in television shows, music careers, in the press, or however the public may know them. So, I wanted to create a place that was positive and allowed audiences to have a better understanding of who they are as people.
The world is moving so fast that it’s hard to see anything beyond what’s flashing in front of us. It’s important we look beyond what is on the surface and see people based on their integrity and character—their person. I wanted a platform where conversations could be open, deeper, real, and respectful. A place where we could learn from those who are at the top of their game and then your appreciation for them would be rooted in something more substantial.
Also, with all the complicated problems the world is experiencing and the divisiveness that exists—it’s so important to have conversations that look at these important issues—and that we do NOT turn away. We need to listen to learn rather than listen to respond. We all can learn so much and be inspired from one another— if we just open ourselves to really listening.
I hope Reppin is a place that will serve people and encourage positivity, diversity, and perspective.
FWM: What makes Reppin irresistible to the masses?
Well, you’ll have to ask the masses. But with each episode, I hope you walk away getting a better sense of that notable person—and who they are in real life beyond their accomplishments. Listeners get to learn from the challenges guests’ faced, get inspired and empowered by how they have overcome, and know they can do the same.
Each episode gives the listeners different things to think about. With every single conversation, I want the audience to leave feeling hopeful, empowered, and with a new perspective. And maybe if I’m really lucky, the audiences will go out and contribute positively to the world and encourage others to be about love, inclusion, equity — certainly representation — and to show up for the truths and beliefs they hold.
FWM: Can you share a precursor to your upcoming shows?
I have Ludi Lin coming up, a talented actor from Aquaman, Mortal Kombat, Power Rangers, and CW’s Kung Fu, who is great. He’s so talented, hilarious, and really kind and thoughtful. I had a blast with him. He was telling me about an escape room he did and how I should do one. Nah, hard pass for me bud.
Here’s an exclusive though—Ludi plays a joke on me—and some of the behind the scenes will be available on my social media and YouTube. Those are going to be particularly memorable and not to be missed.
FWM: How much fun is it to host your own show? Who have you enjoyed interviewing the most?
It’s funny you ask that. One of the major hurdles I had to overcome when I was thinking about doing Reppin was I did not want to be the host. I’m pretty private and shy so being the host was and is still something I’m trying to get comfortable with and be better at.
As for my favorite interview—they’ve really all been so wonderful. And truth be told, I’m still in a bit of a wonder about having these amazing people come on my show. Really quite humbling. But getting to produce and have conversations with interesting and amazing people, especially with people whose work I have loved and grown up with, is an awesome full-circle moment. There have even been new friendships formed out of this show which has been another amazing gift.
FWM: Share your upcoming projects.
Well, I can tell you this year for Reppin, the lineup of guests will still be incredibly dynamic. From various backgrounds, to talented actors from your favorite shows, to people who have been in the press and news. We have some real powerhouse stories and conversations coming up and there are guests that have epic stories of survival, strength, forgiveness, transformation, love, and kindness. I’m really excited to share this upcoming roster of shows!
