The highly popular talent show, The Voice of Holland, is set to make a comeback in early 2026 with a fresh lineup of coaches and revamped protocols aimed at ensuring safety for all participants. This announcement comes after a tumultuous period marked by serious allegations of misconduct that led to the show's abrupt cancellation in January 2022.
Chantal Janzen and Edson da Graça will take over as presenters, replacing Martijn Krabbé, who has been seriously ill. The new coaching panel includes Ilse de Lange, Willie Wartaal, Suzan & Freek, and Dinand Woesthoff. Notably, Suzan & Freek will be the first duo to coach since Nick & Simon, bringing a new dynamic to the show. Meanwhile, Ilse de Lange will also serve as a coach on The Voice Kids, which is set to return later in 2026, alongside fellow coaches Claude, Flemming, and Emma Heesters.
RTL content director Peter van der Vorst expressed his excitement about the return of The Voice, stating, "The Voice is a strong format that started worldwide at RTL 4. I am proud that we can once again provide a unique platform for all the talent that the Netherlands has to offer." This optimism is tempered by the shadow of past events, which saw the show pulled from the air after serious allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.
The scandal erupted when former contestants and staff members brought forth claims of sexual harassment and abuse by prominent figures associated with the show, including bandleader Jeroen Rietbergen and coach Ali B. Following these revelations, RTL halted the season, which had only aired one episode, and no new episodes have been broadcast since.
In response to the scandal, RTL and producer ITV have implemented stringent new behavioral protocols to safeguard participants. Among these measures is the 'four-eyes principle,' which stipulates that contestants must never be alone with coaches or staff members, either physically or online. Furthermore, a special app will be used for messaging, allowing for oversight of communications. Participants can also report any issues to both internal and external reporting centers.
Van der Vorst emphasized the importance of these changes, saying, "Together with producer ITV, we have worked hard to bring The Voice back in a safe manner. We have not only collaborated intensively on the quality of the content but also on the quality of the process." ITV's Laurens Woldberg echoed these sentiments, noting that while the past cannot be forgotten, lessons have been learned.
The need for these changes became glaringly apparent following the findings of a commission-Van Rijn investigation in 2024, which revealed that a staggering three-quarters of surveyed employees at public broadcasting organizations reported experiencing or witnessing inappropriate behavior in the workplace.
As part of the show's revival, talents born before October 1, 2009, can now apply for The Voice of Holland starting March 31, 2025. Meanwhile, younger talents aged between October 1, 2009, and September 1, 2017, can register for The Voice Kids.
While the announcement of The Voice's return is met with enthusiasm from potential contestants and viewers, it comes amidst ongoing legal issues for some of the figures involved in the previous scandal. Jeroen Rietbergen has admitted to inappropriate behavior, and while he has faced allegations of rape, those claims were ultimately dropped due to insufficient evidence. On the other hand, Ali B was sentenced to two years in prison for unrelated charges of rape and attempted rape, which do not involve incidents from The Voice.
Marco Borsato, another prominent figure linked to the show, faces accusations of inappropriate behavior dating back to when a contestant was just 15 years old. His case is still pending in court, and he has countersued the accuser for defamation.
As the entertainment landscape continues to grapple with issues of misconduct, the return of The Voice of Holland represents both a chance for redemption and a test of the new measures put in place. The show's producers are keen to reassure audiences that they have taken significant steps to ensure a safe environment for all involved. The upcoming seasons will not only showcase talent but will also serve as a litmus test for how well the industry can address and rectify past wrongs.
As excitement builds for the return of The Voice and The Voice Kids, the focus will undoubtedly be on how these changes will foster a safer, more respectful environment for contestants and staff alike. The hope is that the show can reclaim its status as a beloved platform for showcasing musical talent while ensuring that the past is not repeated.
With the new season on the horizon, all eyes will be on The Voice of Holland as it attempts to navigate this complicated landscape while still delivering the entertainment that has made it a staple of Dutch television.
