Photographer: Emmanuel Claude
ID CARD
- Name: Leslie Bodé
- Age: 19
- School: Lycée des Arts et Métiers Luxembourg (arts class)
- Hobbies: Filmmaking (she would love to go to Toronto, a major hub of the film industry), art, working as a children’s activity leader with the SNJ (Service National de la Jeunesse), as well as singing and football.
- Best at: Leslie always tries to put herself into different characters and stories. She plans to study acting in the near future.
- Favorite subject: Volume and 3D design – a subject she somewhat compares to marketing: how do you develop a product and how do you market it?
- Motto: A quote from Marc: “Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it.”
- A special source of inspiration: Leslie’s brother (who is also a candidate in season 3): “He is the most important person in my life. I know that no matter what happens, he would never leave me. That’s the motivation that drives me to make the most of my life. I want to be a role model for him.”
What was it like competing against your own brother?
I was very lucky that I only had to compete against him once, since we were both on Team Red at the beginning. It wasn’t a real rivalry. We would often look at each other and somehow know what the other was thinking at that moment. For example, how far the other team’s progress was. We were rooting for both of us.
We’re almost two years apart and don’t have any other siblings. We’ve been through a lot together and can rely on each other. That has made our relationship very special. I’m incredibly grateful to have him. Without him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
How do you feel now that the show is over?
Tired! It was very intense. Take Off is an experience you rarely get in life.
When you watch the episodes on TV, you don’t realize what’s really behind it. The show isn’t scripted: every action and reaction can change how things unfold.
Take Off brings out things in people that they didn’t even know they had. At the same time, you also get to know your own weaknesses better. During this time, I got to know myself better than in the 19 years before.
When you signed up for Take Off, what was going through your mind at the time?
I was scrolling on TikTok and saw a video by Matthieu Hoffman (from season 1). I thought it was really cool - but my immediate reaction was: I could never do a science show like that.
When they were looking for participants for season two, I still thought: that’s way too scientific for me. Then I found out that you don’t necessarily have to be a science expert. It’s enough to be curious and want to explore the world.
At first, I wanted to do an internship there, but Joseph told me that if I did, I wouldn’t be able to take part in the show later. So I waited a year and eventually won the Wild Card Challenge. (Editor’s note: the video with the most likes gets the Wild Card. You can watch it - as well as all the other participants’ videos - on Leslie’s Instagram account and on the Take Off Instagram account.)
When I told Marc that I would be taking part, he was studying in the kitchen. He said he had hesitated about joining. I don’t know whether my participation gave him the final push and motivated him to join. He never told me.
Which of your strengths helped you the most on Take Off?
My creativity and my ideas. Especially in the final, it was important to think “out of the box.” My mind is often bursting with extravagant ideas. My way of thinking helps me come up with solutions. Sometimes, though, I overthink things, and my thoughts don’t come across the way I intend when I speak. I’m also incredibly forgetful and get distracted way too easily, which can be challenging.
What was your absolute favorite challenge, and why that one in particular?
Episode 2 with the communication challenge. Our solution was so creative and unusual that it was almost ridiculous! But it was so much fun.
I especially loved the theatrical and chaotic aspect. We did an incredible amount of illogical nonsense. But somehow it all came together into a complete picture.
That challenge, in particular, really brought us together as a team, and I wouldn’t have wanted any other team. For me, that loud, imperfect chaos was exactly what I loved so much about Team Red.
If you could take one invention or object from the show home, what would it be?
The xylophone machine from the final!
Marc built an incredible construction: a xylophone powered by a cordless drill. A wheel is set in motion, with xylophone mallets attached to it, which are activated via a kind of “tree” mechanism. It plays the Take Off intro while, at the same time, a camera obscura activates the laser for the X-Wing.
I know Marc can achieve anything. He could probably even build a machine that does the laundry and ironing at the same time.
Was there a challenge where you briefly thought: “Okay, this is going to be tough”?
Yes! In episode 3, during the music challenge. We had to recreate a song, and I found the task pretty complicated. Marc handled it brilliantly!
And then there was the challenge where a tin had to roll down a ramp for 40 seconds (episode 4). For a long time, I didn’t realize that my solution was completely wrong. I think my ego was the main issue there. I really wanted to be right, and my tunnel vision made me ignore all other possible solutions.
How do you generally deal with stress? Do you have a personal anti-stress ritual?
I’m a big procrastinator. I work best under pressure. Without stress, I can be pretty lazy.
There’s good stress and bad stress. The good kind helps me think and work. The bad kind showed up during the duels. Normally, I have a thousand ideas in my head - but in the duel, I suddenly had a total blackout. My mind went completely blank: I didn’t even remember what a sail was. That was a side of myself I hadn’t known before, and it scared me. It was awful.
What was the most beautiful or funniest moment of the show for you?
The most beautiful moment was when my brother made it onto the show. I was so happy for him that I immediately jumped into his arms. I thought: “This is exactly what I want: a memory with him that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”
The funniest moment: I once confused the cameraman with Loris. He was holding an object, and I thought he wanted to hand it to me, so I tried to take his camera! That was pretty embarrassing.
If you had to describe Take Off in three words, what would they be?
Intense
Inspiring
Impactful.
What advice would you give to young people thinking about applying for the next season of Take Off?
Go for it! You’re better than you think. You just don’t realize it until you try. And if it doesn’t work out the first time, maybe it will the second! It’s always worth it.
Don’t give up on yourself before you’ve even started. It’s worth it for that reason alone - because you’ll discover a side of yourself you didn’t even know existed.
Do you already have an idea of what you want to do in the future?
Life is unpredictable. I hope to become an actress and work in the film industry. I’m especially fascinated by how real emotions can be created in front of the camera and how you can evoke a sense of closeness and empathy in the audience. In general, I’m passionate about the entire creative process of filmmaking.
Final words?
Life has so much to offer. It would be a shame to let fear hold you back and miss out on all those opportunities.
Through Take Off, I got to know myself in a completely new way. I discovered sides of myself that were totally unfamiliar to me: both positive ones and others that initially scared me, but also inspired me. When I left the show, I realized how important it is to pursue the things you’re truly passionate about, without being intimidated by possible consequences. True passion requires courage and a willingness to take risks.
Traveling made that even clearer to me: after Take Off, I visited eight countries in just two months and learned an incredible amount. I owe that courage to the show. It gave me the confidence to explore the world on my own. I’m very grateful for that. Without Take Off, I probably would never have dared to go to Canada alone and spend an entire year away from my family and friends (Editor’s note: Leslie is currently spending a year in Vancouver).
And finally: a big thank you to everyone behind the camera. There are so many talented people working there, doing such amazing work and all with so much passion! If anyone truly deserved the €10,000 prize, it would be them.
Author: Diane Bertel
Editor: Lucie Zeches (FNR)
