Noa Vahle Opens Up About MDMA: 'I Loved It the First Time' and Merel Ek Responds
She’s Linda de Mol’s daughter, but has long since carved out her own path as a sports journalist. Noa Vahle knows better than anyone how to balance the sharp edges of the football pitch with the harsh realities of the media world. But this week, she’s caught everyone off guard with a statement no one saw coming. In a candid interview, she goes into detail about her experiences with substances for the first time. And specifically, that one occasion she took MDMA.
‘The first time, I thought it was amazing. The day after, I wanted to die’
Where we’re used to seeing Noa pitchside with her sharp analysis in women’s football, or as the daughter who doesn’t shy away from a lively debate with her mother, she’s now showing a different side. Without batting an eyelid, she talks about the first time she took a pill. “I thought it was amazing,” she admits. “It was an evening of pure euphoria; everything felt light and fun. But the day after... I just didn’t want to exist anymore.” That comedown, both physical and mental, taught her a lesson she won’t soon forget.
It’s precisely this raw honesty that keeps Noa Vahle so in tune with the younger generation. She doesn’t romanticise the experience but paints the complete picture. And that’s exactly what’s often missing from public discourse. You won’t hear her say “never do drugs,” but she lays out the hard truth about the consequence of that 'amazing' feeling: a void that completely knocks you sideways the next day.
Merel Ek on Noa’s Confession: ‘I Thought, Just Go for It’
Noa Vahle wasn’t the only one getting things off her chest. Her colleague and friend Merel Ek also joined the conversation. While Noa shared her own experience, Merel admitted she knew the feeling all too well. “I was listening to her story and thought: yes, I recognise that. But I also thought: just go for it. Dive right in and be open about it.” The pair, who normally shake up the world of sport, show that their bond goes beyond just the football pitch.
In a world where perfection is often the goal – especially when you grow up in a family like Linda de Mol’s – hearing how Noa Vahle and Merel Ek interact is almost refreshing. No judgement, no moralising, just a simple ‘I get you’. During the chat, Merel even refers to a moment when she thought: “If she can say this, then so can I.” It highlights the pressure on young women in the spotlight, but shows that shared experiences can actually ease that pressure.
Why This Revelation Is So Needed
Everyone knows drug use is rife at festivals and in nightlife, but as soon as someone with a famous surname mentions it, the shock factor seems huge. The reactions to Noa’s confession show that while the Netherlands might be quite liberal when it comes to sex and relationships, the topic of drugs remains a taboo among Dutch celebrities.
The beauty of how Noa Vahle handles this is that she never says, “I’ll have another pill.” She shares a story of growth, of testing a boundary and learning from it. And she does so alongside Merel Ek, who acts as a sidekick and confirms: you’re not alone if you feel rotten the morning after a night out.
- Honesty over shame: Noa breaks with the picture-perfect image often expected of public figures.
- Relatable for young people: By talking about ‘the day after’, she paints a realistic picture often missing from conventional education.
- Friendship as an anchor: Merel Ek’s reaction shows just how important a strong support network is, especially in the chaotic world of media and sport.
Whether she’s reporting from a World Cup or baring her soul in an interview, Noa Vahle continues to make waves. And with Merel Ek by her side, she has not just a colleague, but an ally who knows exactly what it’s like to balance life in the public eye with a private one. The conversation they had is not about sensationalism, but about authenticity. And that’s precisely what we need.