Suzan and Freek are set to take the stage as the new coaching duo for the upcoming season of The Voice of Holland, which will premiere in January 2026. The popular music duo expressed their excitement on Instagram, stating, "Like nearly all of the Netherlands, we used to be glued to the television every Friday night, secretly dreaming of such a stage ourselves." Their appointment comes after a tumultuous period for the show, which faced serious allegations of inappropriate behavior in previous seasons.
In light of the controversies surrounding The Voice, the couple emphasized the importance of safety in their decision to join the program. They revealed that they engaged in numerous discussions with the show's producers about the changes being implemented to ensure a secure environment for all participants. "Given what has come to light in recent years, we have had many conversations with the makers of the program. We believe that with a new team, we can create something beautiful," they said.
RTL director Peter van der Vorst confirmed that the network, along with producer ITV, has worked diligently to safely revive The Voice. "We have not only worked intensively on the quality of the content but also on the quality of the process. We are ready to let the red chairs turn again," van der Vorst stated. ITV Studios has also reported significant efforts to improve the organizational culture and work processes to prevent any misconduct.
Alongside Suzan and Freek, the lineup of coaches includes notable names such as Ilse DeLange, Willie Wartaal, and Dinand Woesthoff. DeLange is the only returning coach from previous seasons, while Edson da Graça will take over the hosting duties from Martijn Krabbé, joining Chantal Janzen as co-hosts.
As the new season approaches, Suzan and Freek expressed their eagerness to mentor emerging talent. "We both love music immensely and are thrilled to give new talents a chance and coach them. We can’t wait to turn in our red duo chair as ‘Team Suzan & Freek’. Lifegoals!" they remarked.
Van der Vorst highlighted the significance of The Voice as a strong format that has gained worldwide popularity, stating, "I am proud that we can once again provide all the talent that the Netherlands has with this unique stage." The RTL boss emphasized the balance between experienced and new faces in the show's revival, which aims to restore the program's status as a flagship for the network.
Freek further elaborated on their motivations for joining the show, noting that their decision was not taken lightly. "We have always thought about participating in The Voice because it relates to music and helping talents take the next step in their careers. However, we made an important consideration before saying yes: safety. We have looked very carefully whether it is safe for everyone and whether it is a pleasant working environment," he explained.
This commitment to safety is particularly relevant given the scrutiny The Voice has faced. Freek mentioned that their experience of starting on small stages and performing in various venues has equipped them with insights they hope to share with their candidates, stating, "We know what it’s like to make that journey to bigger stages. We want to help our candidates grow and develop their talent."
Despite the challenges that may come with entering a show that has been marred by controversy, Suzan and Freek are undeterred. Freek candidly remarked, "We have never been guided by what others think in our entire career. If you don’t do things out of fear of criticism, then you can’t do anything at all. We are just going to approach this with joy and confidence."
As the show gears up for its return, the excitement surrounding the new season is palpable. The combination of fresh talent, experienced coaches, and a renewed commitment to safety promises to create an engaging viewing experience for fans of The Voice. With Suzan and Freek at the helm, the revival of this beloved talent show is poised to reclaim its place in the hearts of viewers.
