Jake Paul Carries Olympic Star Jutta Leerdam to Private Jet Amid Diva Criticism
Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam, 27, was whisked away from the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina in lavish style by her fiance, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, despite facing intense scrutiny for her perceived diva behavior ahead of the Games. Leerdam claimed gold and silver medals for the Netherlands, breaking the Olympic record in the 1,000m event and emerging as a breakout star of the competition.
Lavish Exit Sparks Controversy
Paul celebrated Leerdam's achievements with an exit worthy of a gold medalist, hoisting the athlete onto his shoulders as she wore her medals around her neck and carrying her towards the steps of a private jet. He shared a video of the moment on Instagram, captioning the post: 'From now on call me Jutta Leerdam’s fiance.' This stunt came after her journey to the podium was clouded by criticism over her luxury travel arrangements and lifestyle choices.
Criticism from Dutch Media
Former Dutch footballer Johan Derksen led the charge of critics, slamming Leerdam's decision to travel to Italy via a private jet instead of with her teammates. 'Her behavior is horrible to me, like that of a diva,' Derksen fumed to Dutch media prior to the event. 'If I were her coach, I wouldn't tolerate that. Gradually the whole of the Netherlands is starting to get a bit fed up with her behavior.' Leerdam further fueled the fire by skipping the Opening Ceremony, choosing to watch from her bed while teammates marched in the stadium.
Social Media and Sponsorship Impact
Images of her private jet, complete with custom flags and handmade cupcakes, divided social media influencers and sporting fans. During the Games, it emerged that Leerdam could rake in a staggering eight-figure payday after her two-medal haul. She reportedly made $1 million (£730,000) for briefly exposing her Nike sports bra post-win, with sponsors including SKIMS, Hema, and Red Bull.
Earning Potential and Marketing Power
According to Professor Rob Wilson, a leading authority on sports business and finance, Leerdam's earning potential is expected to grow significantly after the Closing Ceremony, potentially following in the footsteps of freestyle skier Eileen Gu, another Red Bull athlete. 'Given her combination of podium success with high social media engagement, you're probably talking somewhere between £8m and £10m per year during peak Olympic cycles,' Wilson told the Daily Mail. 'She could diversify into beauty, wellness, or luxury goods.'
Leerdam has over 6.3 million followers on Instagram, with a single post about her gold medal win garnering 1 million likes. Although her relationship with Paul has exposed her to new audiences, his posts celebrating her success earned far fewer engagements. Together, Paul and Leerdam represent a serious marketing prospect for brands, leveraging their combined influence and athletic achievements.
