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Opposites attract. It’s a cliché because it’s true, but usually, it doesn’t involve a brash American YouTuber-turned-boxer and a world-champion Dutch speed skater who treats her sport like a religion. When Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul first went public in early 2023, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. People thought it was a PR stunt. They figured Jutta, the "Queen of the Netherlands," would realize she’s way too refined for the guy who once set a mattress on fire in a backyard pool.
Fast forward to 2026. The engagement is real. The diamond on Jutta's finger is massive. And honestly? They might be the most disciplined power couple in sports right now.
If you’ve been following the chaos of the last few years, you know Jake isn’t just a "Disney kid" anymore. He’s a guy who just went rounds with Anthony Joshua and lived to tell the tale—barely. Jutta, meanwhile, is staring down the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina with a level of focus that would make a monk look distracted. But there's a lot more to this pairing than just Instagram thirst traps and red-carpet appearances.
The DM That Started the Chaos
It wasn't some high-end gala or a mutual friend in Monaco. Jake literally just slid into her DMs. He wanted her on his podcast, BS w/ Jake Paul. Jutta’s first thought? She actually called him an "arrogant idiot." She’s been open about this. She thought he was just another loud American who thought he could get whatever he wanted.
But then they started talking. Truly talking.
They realized they both live in these high-pressure bubbles where everyone has an opinion on their lives. Jutta has to deal with the intense, almost stifling expectations of the Dutch media, where speed skating is basically the national sport. Jake is... well, Jake. He’s the guy everyone loves to hate until they see the work he puts in at the gym.
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By April 2023, it was official. Jake posted a photo with the caption "I'm Dutch now," and the rest is history. They’ve spent the last three years flying back and forth between Puerto Rico and Heerenveen. That’s a lot of air miles.
High Stakes: 2026 Olympics and the Broken Jaw
2025 was a brutal year for both of them, but it also solidified why they work. In December 2025, Jake took on Anthony Joshua in Miami. It was a "Judgment Day" type of fight. Jake lost by KO in the 6th round, but he also left the ring with his jaw broken in two places.
Most people would be in a hospital bed for a month. Jake? He was in the stands in the Netherlands just a week later.
He was there to watch Jutta at the Dutch Olympic Trials. And man, it was a rollercoaster. Jutta, who is the heavy favorite for gold in the 1000m, had a devastating fall during the trials. She hit the ice, slammed into the barrier, and didn't finish. The crowd went silent. Jake was there with his jaw literally wired shut, watching his fiancée’s Olympic dreams hang by a thread.
The Comeback
Jutta is built different. Twenty-four hours after that fall, she got back on the ice for the 500m. She took second place, skating a blistering 37.24. Because of her insane track record—she’s a seven-time world champion—the Dutch committee didn't leave her behind. On January 1, 2026, they officially confirmed she’s going to Milano Cortina.
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"I've achieved so many things. Dutch titles make me happy, but there's one thing I still need: Olympic gold." — Jutta Leerdam, October 2025.
Why This Relationship Actually Functions
It's easy to look at the 5 million followers and the private jets and think it’s all shallow. But if you listen to them talk, they’re actually obsessed with each other's work ethic.
Jake has mentioned on Impaulsive that Jutta pushes him. Imagine being a pro boxer and thinking you’re working hard, and then your girlfriend goes for a six-mile run on her "off day." It forces you to level up.
- Long-Distance Management: They see each other at least once a month, no matter what.
- Support System: Jutta is a staple at Jake's fights; Jake is a regular at the Thialf ice arena.
- The "Puerto Rico" Plan: After the 2026 Olympics, Jutta is reportedly planning to move to Puerto Rico to be with Jake full-time.
The 2027 Wedding Timeline
They aren't rushing the "I do's." After Jake proposed in St. Lucia in March 2025, they made a pact: the Olympics come first. Jutta doesn't want the distraction of planning a massive wedding while she’s trying to shave milliseconds off her 1000m time.
The current plan? A wedding in August 2027.
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They’ve also been pretty vocal about kids. Jake wants "giant athlete babies," but he’s smart enough to know that Jutta’s body is her career right now. They’re waiting until she’s done with the ice on her own terms.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Jutta is just a "WAG" now. That’s hilarious. Jutta Leerdam was a global superstar in the sports world long before Jake Paul ever laced up boxing gloves. She’s the 2022 World Sprint Champion. She has a silver medal from Beijing. In the Netherlands, she’s a bigger deal than Jake is in the States.
She isn't dating him for the fame. She has plenty of that. She’s dating him because he’s one of the few people who understands the "all-in" mentality. You don't get to her level of skating—or his level of (admittedly controversial) boxing success—by being normal. You have to be a bit of a fanatic.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Athletes
If you're following Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul for more than just the drama, there are actually a few things to learn from how they handle their high-performance lives:
- Protect Your Focus: Notice how they pushed the wedding to 2027? They know that major goals (like the Olympics) require 100% mental clarity. Don't let life's milestones crowd out your primary mission.
- Mutual Accountability: Find a partner who makes you feel slightly "lazy" if you aren't chasing your goals. That friction is what creates growth.
- Vulnerability is Strength: Jutta once said Jake is way more introverted and "emotionally open" in private than his "Problem Child" persona. Authentic connection requires dropping the act.
- Recovery is Key: Whether it’s Jake’s jaw surgery or Jutta’s ankle injuries in 2024, they both prioritize physical rehab over "toughing it out" and making things worse.
The road to Milano Cortina 2026 is going to be intense. With Jutta officially on the team and Jake in her corner, the narrative is no longer just about a YouTube star and a skater. It's about two of the most scrutinized athletes on the planet trying to prove they belong at the very top.
Keep an eye on the 1000m finals in Italy. If Jutta grabs that gold, the Jake Paul "Dutch Era" is going to go into overdrive.