Dartell, whose real name was Priscilla Veltmeijer, grew up in Hilversum and was initially mainly involved in theater work. She was the daughter of the famous impresario Lou Veltmeijer, but changed her name because she did not want to be known as the daughter of. In the 1990s she switched to journalism. She first started working at the AVRO, where she presented art and culture programs.