The winter season of the popular KRO-NCRV quiz show De Slimste Mens is set to feature a notable line-up of openly queer public figures. The programme, a fixture in Dutch television, tests the general knowledge and associative thinking of well-known personalities from various fields.
This season's contestants include several individuals whose work and public identity are intertwined with the LGBTQ+ community, offering significant visibility on one of the country's most-watched shows. The participants from the community include:
- Tobi Lakmaker: The writer and columnist is a trans man whose acclaimed debut novel, De geschiedenis van mijn seksualiteit (The History of My Sexuality), candidly explored his journey with gender and queer identity.
- Jeroen Gortworst: An NOS reporter, Gortworst has frequently covered LGBTQ+ issues in his work. He created the podcast De Schaduwspits, which examined the challenges of acceptance for queer individuals in professional football.
- Kim van Zeben: A theatre maker and actress, Van Zeben has been open about her queer/lesbian identity. She recently highlighted this in interviews for her role in the play Willem & Frieda: Roze Verzet, which tells the story of queer resistance fighters during World War II.
- Claudia de Breij: A household name in the Netherlands, the comedian and presenter has been a visible and vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for years. She is married to writer Jessica van Geel.
Other contestants participating in the season include presenters Nienke van Dijk and Kefah Allush, and comedian Wina Ricardo, who will appear in the first week.
