This is the first major #MeToo scandal in the Netherlands. The current telecrochet season The Voice of Holland was suspended by Dutch broadcaster RTL on Saturday due to allegations of sexual assault. They targeted the leader of the show’s group Jeroen Rietbergen and one of his coaches, rapper Ali B.
New revelations are expected this Thursday afternoon in a video on YouTube. This broadcast of BOOSa local broadcaster, is said to detail accusations of sexually transgressive behavior and abuse of power within the programme.
RTL has sacked Ali B, who denies allegations against him, after it emerged two sexual assault complaints had been filed with prosecutors.
“Corrupt Gang”
Jeroen Rietbergen, 50, for his part resigned in a statement last weekend, in which he admitted “contact of a sexual nature with women involved in the program and WhatsApp messages of a sexual nature”. His partner, presenter Linda de Mol, announced this week that she was leaving him and would stop working because of this “terrible nightmare”.
One of the coaches of The Voice Holland,
the singer Anoukalso quit this week, calling the show a “corrupt gang”.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the allegations against the show “unacceptable” and called for a full investigation.
A true local institution, The Voice Holland was broadcast for the first time in the Netherlands in 2010. The concept has been rolled out in dozens of countries, including France, which will see the eleventh season launched soon on TF1.