September 21, 2026
In the upcoming season of De slimste mens, comedians, politicians, musicians, journalists, and other creators will compete against each other. This autumn, presenters Nienke van Dijk and Kefah Allush, together with cabaret talent Wina Ricardo, will open the competition.
Challenger Kiki Boreel is a former international model and climate activist. After working for major fashion brands, she turned her back on fast fashion due to its environmental impact. She is now a Climate Ambassador of the Future and advocates for a more circular fashion industry.
Challenger: Roeland Wendel is a Dutch journalist, presenter, and content creator. He is best known as the resident librarian on the Emmy-nominated children’s program De Mensenbieb (The Human Library), in which children ‘borrow’ living stories. He also works on socially engaged series such as Buddybuddy and is active online.
Challenger: Mats Akkerman is a Dutch political reporter and presenter. After working at the Binnenhof for BNR Nieuwsradio for many years, he moved to broadcaster WNL in 2025. There, he regularly appears as a political commentator on Café Kockelmann and produces the podcast Haagse Hindernissen.
Challenger Lindsay Zwaan is a Dutch actress and theatre maker. She made her breakthrough with television audiences playing Sally in the drama series Bodem and has appeared in series such as Sihame and Tropenjaren. Additionally, she creates physical and visual theatre with her collective, Studio Dooie Mus.
Challenger: Jet van der Steen is a Dutch singer-songwriter rapidly gaining popularity. She started out performing covers on TikTok and made her breakthrough with emotional Dutch-language pop music. She has since been named 3FM Talent of 2026, performs at major festivals, and is working on her debut album.
Challenger Claudia de Breij is a Dutch cabaret artist, singer, and writer. She has been active in the theater for years and scored a major hit with "Mag ik dan bij jou." In 2026, she will present the New Year's Eve review show (*Oudejaarsconference*) for the fourth time, and she discusses current events in the podcast *De Claudia Show*.
Herman also shares the sad news that Paulien Cornelisse passed away yesterday; these segments had already been recorded, and the family wishes for them to be broadcast as planned.
Challenger: QiQi van Boheemen is a Dutch actress, performer, and photographer. She made an impression with her debut in the theatre production De Bananengeneratie and played the lead role of PJ in the film adaptation of Joe Speedboot. In addition, she works as a freelance portrait and theatre photographer.
Challenger: Rob Kamphues is a Dutch television presenter, comedian, and race car driver. He became a household name through programs such as De Reünie. He is currently closely involved in motorsport: for years as the face of Ziggo Sport’s Formula 1 broadcasts, and since 2025 with Viaplay.
Challenger: Fimme Bakker is a Dutch comedian and writer. He is known for his raw humor and personal stories, including those about addiction. In 2023, he won the jury prize at the Groningen Student Cabaret Festival. Following a theater production with his father, psychiatrist Bram Bakker, he is touring solo with his show and book, *Zwaargewicht*.
More challenging: Evrim Akyigit is a Dutch actress with a Turkish background. She is best known to the general public as Hanna from the drama series Oogappels and Elif from ONM. She graduated from the Arnhem Theater School and played with theater companies such as International Theater Amsterdam. She was also seen in the series Football Parents.
And Challenger: Luuk Ornstein is a writer, actor and content creator. He is the creator, script advisor and can be seen in the very popular feature films De Tatta's and Onze Osso for Amazon Prime Video.
Challenger Adriaan ter Braack is a Dutch science journalist and podcaster. Writing under the online pseudonym Sjamadriaan, he covers science and nonsense for publications such as VICE and Quest. He also authored the book Het Universum is een Klootzak (The Universe is a Bastard). In addition, he produces science podcasts—including Makkelijk Praten and works as a speaker and conference moderator.
Challenger: Carine Lacor is a Dutch radio presenter, best known for her work with NPO Klassiek. Since 2018, she has hosted the lunchtime program De Muziekfabriek for AVROTROS. In addition, she is involved with the Klassieke Top 400, produces the podcast De Klassieker, and works as an independent career coach in Amsterdam.
Challengers: Camiel Jansen and Harmen Krul a Dutch politician representing the CDA. Before being sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives in 2023, he served as an officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy and was a municipal councilor in Den Helder. In the House, his portfolio includes Defense and Media, among other areas. He also serves as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Camiel Jansen is the new Composer of the Netherlands. The 34-year-old composer, double bassist, and presenter from Culemborg took over the role from his predecessor, Anne-Maartje Lemereis, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, thereby ushering in a new decade for the Composer of the Netherlands. As an ambassador for musical life in the Netherlands, Camiel will give musical expression to current societal developments over the next two years a role that suits him perfectly.
Challenger: Jan Jaap van Weering is a Dutch etiquette and protocol expert. Through his consultancy firm, Distinguished, he provides training on etiquette and protocol. He has appeared in programs such as Hoe heurt het eigenlijk? and reaches a large audience on TikTok with humorous videos about etiquette. He also performs the stage show Zegevieren met Manieren.
Challenger: Julia Wouters is a Dutch political scientist, political advisor, and author. She is best known for her role as a political advisor to former Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher and as a commentator on the EO podcast 'De Spindoctors'.
Challenger: Thomas Hogeling studied Law at the University of Amsterdam but decided not to put his legal knowledge into practice. Instead, he chose a career in journalism. He writes for publications such as 'de Volkskrant', 'De Speld', and 'deFusie', and currently holds the position of columnist at 'NRC'.
Challenger: Whitney Janssen. She is a presenter for *EenVandaag*, named after the legendary Whitney Houston, and spent her childhood in a small town in Limburg.
Challenger: David van Rosmalen is a comedian who recently won the 2025 Leids Cabaret Festival. He secured the jury prize, the audience award, and the student prize, and his show 'Als ik jou was' took the audience on a philosophical journey through his own life. David is a sought-after speaker for the closing sessions of conferences and events, and his work has been praised for its coherence and solid structure, featuring strong opening and closing segments. He is recognized as being musical and sharp-witted, with a talent for language.
Challenger: Caro van der Leeuw is a Dutch jazz and pop singer. She achieved international success as Caro Emerald, scoring hits such as "A Night Like This." After a musical project under the name The Jordan, she is now releasing new work as Caro.
Nathalie Baartman, a Dutch comedian and columnist with deep roots in the Twente region, is known for her solo shows that center on humor and the traditional Twente 'levenslied' (sentimental ballad). She has been touring the country for years, captivating audiences with a unique blend of comic observations and cultural stories. In addition to her stage work, she is an active columnist for 'Tubantia', where she shares her sharp and often moving reflections on a weekly basis. Her versatility and authentic style make her a distinctive and highly regarded voice in the Dutch world of comedy and journalism.