John from 'Boer zoekt vrouw' speaks honestly: ‘It really affected me’

Farmer John Nouwen’s participation in 'Boer zoekt vrouw' sparked strong reactions from both viewers and the media. His outspoken opinions and individual approach grabbed attention—both positive and negative.

In an open-hearted interview with Privé, John looks back on an intense season. He not only faced harsh criticism from the public, but also experienced deep personal reflection. As someone who showed vulnerability on national TV, John now shares how the barrage of criticism left a lasting mark on him.

Widespread Backlash for His Words

When John stated on the show, “eighty to a hundred hours of work is quite a lot for a woman,” it hit many viewers like a bombshell. “I immediately had all of woke Netherlands coming down on me because of that statement,” John said. “From then on, people like Angela de Jong immediately saw me as old-fashioned.”

His words were blown up in the media, leading to a flood of reactions that lingered for weeks.

A Sense of Humor Not Everyone Understood

It wasn’t just John’s remarks that drew criticism—his sense of humor did as well. For his dates, John had pink overalls made that read “Life is better with chickies.” It was meant as a lighthearted joke, but some viewers found it sexist.

“And then you get the snowball rolling downhill, just getting bigger and bigger. Things are taken out of context. The women involved thought it was funny. But that’s how TV works: an entire day is compressed into just a few minutes.”

Media Attention Takes Its Toll

The scrutiny and negative responses did not leave John untouched. Eventually, he decided to distance himself from what was being said about him online and in the press.

“At a certain point I stopped reading all the articles—I just skimmed the headlines. You still want to know what’s being written about you. But yes, it did affect me,” he admitted. John’s honest words make clear how deeply public opinion can impact someone’s state of mind.

No Regrets, But Lessons Learned

Although the experience affected him, John does not regret taking part in the popular show. Still, he says he might have done some things differently if given a second chance.

“I look back at a very unique experience, and I’ve learned some important life lessons… If I could do it all over again, I’d present my jokes differently.” His experience shows how reality TV can be both enriching and confronting for participants.

Criticism of the Season as a Whole

John wasn’t the only one to face criticism. Some viewers labeled this season as ‘boring’ compared to the usual lively discussions and high ratings 'Boer zoekt vrouw' is known for. Still, thanks to outspoken participants like John, the show continued to spark conversations and remains a fixture of Dutch television.

Source: https://streamzine.nl/john-uit-boer-zoekt-vrouw-openhartig-ik-werd-er-echt-door-geraakt/