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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.

Challenger: Menno Bentveld is a Dutch radio and television presenter. He previously hosted programs such as 'Jules Unlimited' and 'Op weg naar Het Lagerhuis'. Since 2007, he has been the face and voice of the natu4re and environment program 'Vroege Vogels'.

Challenger: Ghislaine van IJperen is a Dutch actress. She gained recognition for her lead role as Kees Flodder Jr. in the Videoland series 'Kees Flodder'. After graduating from the Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts, she worked on various productions. She also appeared in the feature film 'Verliefd op Curaçao'.

Challenger: Kim van Zeben is a Dutch theatre maker, actress, and voice actress. She performs in family-oriented productions such as '14 De Musical' and creates her own theatre for young audiences, including the comedy 'Beuk!'. Furthermore, she is the official Dutch voice of Donald Duck.

Challenger: Tobi Lakmaker is a Dutch writer and philosopher. In 2021, he had his breakthrough with his much discussed and highly autobiographical debut novel, 'De geschiedenis van mijn seksualiteit' (The History of My Sexuality). He currently writes columns for 'de Volkskrant' and the Flemish newspaper 'De Morgen'.

Challenger: Marjolein Moorman is a Dutch politician representing Progressief Nederland (PRO). From 2018, she served as the alderperson for education in Amsterdam, gaining national recognition for her efforts to combat inequality of opportunity. Since late 2025, she has been working as a member of the House of Representatives, focusing on ensuring equal opportunities in education.

Challenger: Yasmin Ait Abderrahman is a journalist, columnist, and moderator. Previously, she served as chair of FNV Young & United and as a member of the Social and Economic Council (SER). Today, she works as an investigative journalist for *Vrij Nederland* and frequently appears on talk shows to provide insight into political and socio-economic issues.

Challenger: Jeroen Gortworst is a Dutch domestic correspondent for the 'NOS Journaal' (NOS News). He spent many years working for 'NOS Stories' and, since 2022, has been one of the regular on-site reporters covering major domestic events. Additionally, he won the Winq Media Award for 'De Schaduwspits' ("The Shadow Striker"), a podcast series about homosexuality in the world of football.

Challengers: Eva Brandemann and Annemarie Lekkerkerker. Annemarie Lekkerkerker is a Dutch content creator, presenter, and actress, known on social media as @lekkeran. She gained recognition for her socially engaged and humorous videos covering topics such as feminism and street harassment. Together with her father, she co-authored the book "Conversations You Never Have with Your Father", and she produces the podcast "Generatie Espresso". Eva Brandemann is a young woman currently studying Public Administration at Leiden University. Known for her critical perspective and sense of humor, she has a keen interest in understanding the world around her. From November 2023 to June 2025, Brandemann served as chair of "Young Social Contract", the youth wing of the political party "New Social Contract".

Challenger: Casper Starreveld is a Dutch guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is a co-founder of the Utrecht-based rock band Kensington. With the band, he achieved several hits and frequently performed in a sold-out Ziggo Dome. Following the departure of the former frontman, the band made a musical fresh start in 2025.