Ymke Wieringa Reflects on Reality TV Career and Split From Britt Dekker
Former reality television personality Ymke Wieringa, 37, has opened up about her time in the spotlight alongside Britt Dekker, 34, during an appearance in Robbert Rodenburg’s YouTube series Guncle, as reported by De Telegraaf on September 30, 2026. Wieringa, who stepped away from television eleven years ago, revealed she no longer maintains contact with Dekker and stated that she views her past reality TV persona as a product rather than a controlled character.
Origins on Take Me Out and Echte Meisjes in de Jungle
Wieringa first entered the public eye through her participation in the RTL 5 dating show Take Me Out, a program she described to Rodenburg as “the drainpipe of reality television.” According to De Telegraaf, Wieringa was twenty years old and studying at the art academy at the time. Motivated by curiosity regarding how reality television operated behind the scenes, she decided to test the reality of the medium firsthand while single.
Following her appearance on the dating show, both Wieringa and fellow participant Britt Dekker were cast in Echte Meisjes in de Jungle. LINDA.nl noted that the two formed a successful TV duo during the series, with Wieringa explaining, “I was the feeder and she was the finisher.” The complementary dynamic led to subsequent television projects together.
Life Outside the Spotlight and Current Career
Addressing persistent public speculation about whether her television persona was an act, Wieringa told Rodenburg, “I would like to have been a character, because that would mean I have control over it.” She acknowledged that participants naturally amplify their personalities for the cameras, noting that performers feel complicit in the production process. Linda.nl reported that Wieringa now looks back on the partnership as a “work friendship” that has since ended, adding, “It was real then and now it is over.”
Today, Wieringa lives outside the public eye with her family and works as a professional illustrator. While she has ruled out returning to reality television to repeat past formats, she indicated to De Telegraaf that she would consider behind-the-scenes roles or new projects centered around drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ymke Wieringa and Britt Dekker
How did Ymke Wieringa start her television career?
She participated in the RTL 5 dating program Take Me Out as an art academy student before joining Echte Meisjes in de Jungle alongside Britt Dekker.
What is Ymke Wieringa’s profession today?
Wieringa works as a professional illustrator and lives outside the television spotlight.
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