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»The Voice of Holland«: #MeToo affair in the Dutch media
Photo: Koen Van Weel / dpa
In the scandal surrounding sexual assault on the talent show The Voice of Holland, at least one rape complaint has been filed against a coach.
A young contestant on the show accused prominent Dutch rapper Ali B. of pushing her into sex and exploiting his position of power.
She raised the allegations in the online program "Boos" of the public broadcaster BNNVARA on Thursday.
The rapper denies the allegations.
The scandal surrounding the casting show is the biggest #MeToo affair in the Dutch media to date.
Dozens of mostly young women report on »Boos« about sexual assaults around the show and accuse band leader Jeroen Rietbergen, a coach and a director.
A well-known singer and coach on the talent show "The Voice Kids" is also accused of assaulting very young girls.
De Mol claims to have known about a case
Media entrepreneur and longtime producer John de Mol expressed shock.
But he had known about a case since 2019, said de Mol on the show.
In the spring of 2019, a candidate complained about sexual innuendo and advances from bandleader Jeroen Rietbergen.
"I got terribly angry," said de Mol. He threatened Rietbergen with being thrown out.
De Mol developed the format and produced it until the end of 2019
The musician Rietbergen was partner of de Mol's sister Linda.
The prominent TV presenter has since ended the relationship.
She and her brother John assert that they knew nothing of any further allegations.
Rietbergen had admitted abuse of power and resigned.
The TV broadcaster RTL Nederland canceled the show for the time being and announced an investigation.
ptz/dpa
