Studio Brussel Presenters Apologize After Statue of Christ Destruction

Eva De Roo and Dries Lenaerts, presenters for the Belgian radio station Studio Brussel, have issued an apology after a video surfaced showing them destroying a statue of Jesus Christ. The incident has sparked widespread controversy and condemnation from political and religious figures in Belgium.

The Incident and Initial Reaction

The video, which circulated online, depicts De Roo and Lenaerts breaking a statue of Christ. The act prompted immediate criticism, with Cieltje Van Achter, the Minister of Media, describing the video as “particularly shocking.” Sammy Mahdi, president of the CD&V party, called the act “particularly regrettable.”

Van Achter acknowledged Studio Brussel’s editorial autonomy but emphasized that autonomy does not absolve anyone of responsibility or respect.

Apology from Presenters and Studio Brussel

Following the backlash, both Eva De Roo and Dries Lenaerts apologized for their actions. They stated that the video was intended as humor but that they had underestimated the sensitivity surrounding religious symbols. They expressed understanding that their actions had offended some individuals and indicated they would make different choices if faced with the same situation today.

Background on Eva De Roo and Dries Lenaerts

Dries Lenaerts began his career at Studio Brussel behind the scenes as a radio editor before transitioning to on-air hosting. He previously hosted the request show ‘Hallo met Studio Brussel’ and the game show ‘Dries op een Rij.’ In September 2025, he partnered with Eva De Roo to form the station’s recent morning duo, ‘Eva & Dries’.

Lenaerts, born December 17, 2000, in Genk, Belgium, has a diverse artistic background, including studies in music, visual arts, and audiovisual arts at RITCS in Brussels. He is similarly involved in theater and music, and is scheduled to begin a theater tour in early 2026 with a self-written play titled “Capture-away Express.”

Ongoing Discussion and Aftermath

The incident continues to fuel debate regarding the boundaries of humor and the respect for religious symbols in public media. The apology from the presenters and the station has been met with mixed reactions, and the long-term impact on their careers and the station’s reputation remains to be seen.