Noa Vahle Gets Candid About MDMA: 'Loved It the First Time' and Merel Ek Responds

She’s the daughter of Linda de Mol, but these days she’s firmly standing on her own two feet as a sports journalist. Noa Vahle knows better than anyone how to combine the sharp edge of the football pitch with the harsh reality of the media world. But this week, she surprised friends and foes alike with a statement no one saw coming. In a candid interview, she opens up in detail for the first time about her experiences with substances. Specifically, that one time she used MDMA.

'Loved it the first time, the next day I just wanted to die'

Normally, we know Noa for her sharp analysis on the sidelines of women's football, or as the daughter who doesn't shy away from a lively debate with her mother. Now, she’s showing a different side. She speaks frankly, without a hint of embarrassment, about the first time she took a pill. “I loved it,” she says honestly. “It was an evening full of euphoria, everything felt light and fun. But the next day... I just didn’t want to be here anymore.” That comedown, both physical and mental, taught her a lesson she won’t soon forget.

It’s this raw honesty that makes Noa Vahle so in touch with a younger generation. She doesn’t romanticise drug use; she paints the full picture. And that’s exactly what’s often missing from public debate. You won’t hear her say “never do drugs,” but she does spell out the consequence of that 'amazing' feeling: a void that completely floors you the next day.

Merel Ek on Noa’s confession: 'I thought, just go for it'

It wasn’t just Noa Vahle who opened up. Her colleague and close friend Merel Ek joined the same conversation. While Noa shared her own experience, Merel said she knew the feeling all too well. “I was listening to her story and thought: yeah, I get that. But I also thought, just go for it. Just jump in at the deep end and be open about it.” The two women, who normally shake up the sports world, showed 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 – it’s almost refreshing to hear how Noa Vahle and Merel Ek interact with each other. No judgment, no moralising, just a simple ‘I get you’. During the conversation, Merel even referred to a moment when she thought: “If she can say this, then I can too.” It highlights the pressure young women in the spotlight face, but shows how shared experiences can actually ease that pressure.

Why this revelation is so necessary

Everyone knows there’s plenty of substance use at festivals and in the nightlife scene, but as soon as someone with a well-known surname mentions it, the shock seems immense. The reactions to Noa’s confessions show that while we in Ireland might be quite outspoken about sexuality and relationships, the topic of drugs among public figures is still somewhat taboo.

What’s great about the way Noa Vahle handles this is that she’s nowhere saying “I’d take another one.” She’s sharing a story of growth, of testing boundaries and learning from it. And she’s doing it alongside Merel Ek, who acts as a sounding board and confirms: you’re not alone when you feel rotten the morning after a night out.

• Honesty over shame: Noa breaks with the perfect image often expected of public figures.
• Relatability for young people: By talking about the ‘day after’, she gives a realistic picture that’s often missing from drug education.
• Friendship as an anchor: Merel Ek’s response shows how important a good 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 be someone who knows how to stir things up. And with Merel Ek by her side, she has not just a colleague, but an ally who knows exactly what it feels like to balance the public eye with a private life. The conversation they had isn’t about sensationalism; it’s about authenticity. And that’s exactly what we need.