The Voice of Holland: Charges Filed in Ongoing Sexual Misconduct Investigation
The Voice of Holland remains at the center of a deepening sexual misconduct scandal as Dutch authorities move forward with criminal charges against two well-known figures linked to the show.
According to reporting by the Hollywood Reporter, prosecutors have charged Jeroen Rietbergen and Ali B in connection with alleged sexual assaults tied to the production of The Voice of Holland. The development marks a significant escalation in a case that first emerged publicly in early 2022 and has prompted internal and external investigations into conduct behind the scenes of the Netherlands’ flagship music competition.
Prosecutors allege that Rietbergen, who served as the program’s on-air bandleader, sexually assaulted a woman “in or around the recording studio” during a 2018 taping of the show. Rietbergen has acknowledged engaging in sexual relationships and exchanging explicit messages with women associated with the production, but he maintains those encounters were consensual. His lawyer described the decision to press charges as “incomprehensible” and called the news a “very heavy blow.” Rietbergen resigned from the program in January 2022 and has issued public apologies for his conduct, while continuing to deny any criminal wrongdoing.
Ali B, a prominent Dutch rapper and a former celebrity coach on The Voice of Holland, faces three counts of sexual assault, one of which is alleged to be connected to the show. Ali B has also denied the accusations. Authorities examined allegations involving a third celebrity judge, Marco Borsato, but concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against him.
The scandal prompted the show’s broadcaster, RTL, to immediately suspend broadcasts of The Voice of Holland in January 2022. ITV Studios, which owns the production company Talpa founded by creator John de Mol, commissioned an external inquiry to investigate the allegations, workplace practices, and any institutional failures related to the program.
John de Mol, who oversaw The Voice of Holland from its launch in 2010 through 2019, has said he was only aware of a single formal complaint regarding Rietbergen in 2019. The revelations also had consequences for Rietbergen’s personal life: he separated from actress and television personality Linda de Mol, a high-profile Dutch celebrity and sister of John de Mol, after the allegations became public.
As the legal process advances, no trial date has been set for Rietbergen or Ali B. Prosecutors will need to present their evidence in court if the cases proceed to trial, while both defendants continue to deny criminal liability. The ongoing legal and public scrutiny underscores broader questions about safety, oversight, and accountability in television production environments.
The Voice of Holland is the original edition of the global The Voice franchise, which has since been adapted in dozens of countries around the world, including the United States. The allegations and subsequent legal actions connected to the Dutch production have reverberated across the international franchise, prompting renewed attention to how talent shows handle complaints and protect participants and staff.
Authorities, production companies, and the industry continue to face pressure to ensure transparent investigations and meaningful reforms. For now, the criminal charges against Rietbergen and Ali B represent a pivotal moment in a case that began as a series of public allegations and has since moved into the formal justice system.