Start of the 21st season: “Deutschland sucht den Superstar”: Ten exciting facts about the show

In the 21st round of “DSDS”, Dieter Bohlen (70), Loredana (29), Beatrice Egli (36) and Pietro Lombardi (32) are on the jury. From September 18th, they will start their search for the next superstar. Every Wednesday and Saturday at 8:15 p.m., the latest episodes of the “eternal” casting show will be broadcast on RTL (also on RTL+). Who has already received the “Superstar” title and has sat on the jury in previous seasons?

1. The winners

The casting show took place on RTL for the first time in November 2002, the final took place in March 2003. The first victory went to Alexander Klaws (41). A new season followed every year, but the 20th season in 2023 was actually supposed to mark the end of the show. But RTL has decided to continue with a 21st season. A total of 16 men and four women have already won the casting show, and musical successes have included Pietro Lombardi, Beatrice Egli, Luca Hänni (29) and Ramon Roselly (30). The last person to enjoy the “Superstar” title in 2023 is Sem Eisinger (born 1994).

2. “DSDS” hit songs

Especially in the first seasons, the winners were able to quickly achieve chart success and secure first place with their winning song. The show can boast 13 number 1 hits, including 12 winning songs and the song “We have a Dream”. The latter was put together by the finalists of the first “DSDS” round. The first winner, Alexander Klaws, also made it to pole position with his song “Take Me Tonight”. He was later followed by Pietro Lombardi with “Call My Name” and Beatrice Egli with “Mein Herz”.

3. Jungle careers

Not only musically, but also on television, some “DSDS” candidates celebrated success. Fifth-placed Joey Heindle (31), regular candidate Menderes Bagci (39) and winner Prince Damien (33) were crowned jungle kings in the RTL jungle camp. Alexander Klaws was named “Dancing Star 2014” in the dance show “Let's Dance” and Luca Hänni triumphed in the eighth season of “The Masked Singer” in 2023.

4. Known Second

“DSDS” was not only used as a springboard by the winners, there are also some well-known names among the runners-up. For example, Sarah Engels (31), Mike Leon Grosch (47), Menowin Fröhlich (37) and Daniele Negroni (29) only narrowly missed out on winning the casting show. Engels competed against her now ex-husband Pietro Lombardi in the final.

5. The regular participant

One participant has tried his luck again and again in the show: Menderes Bagci first appeared in 2002 and, according to RTL, has taken part a total of 15 times. He survived at least the first round several times. In April 2023, he looked back in an interview with spot on news: “Of course, the first recall slip was an emotional moment for me. After so many attempts, I had finally made it. You must never give up. And of course I fondly remembered my live appearance in the motto show on March 31, 2007 with the song “Beat it”.

6. Popular worldwide

“DSDS” is a spin-off of the British show “Pop Idol”, which was broadcast on ITV from 2001 to 2003. The “Pop Idol” license has resulted in numerous versions of the casting show being created in different countries. According to RTL, the format currently exists in 59 countries. A superstar was sought in the USA (“American Idol”), Australia (“Australian Idol”) and France (“Nouvelle Star”), among others.

7. Offshoot

The show has not only spread to different countries, but various new formats have also been developed around the casting show. In the “Superstar Worldwide” format, which was held once in 2003, he won from all “Pop Idol” versions, and the winner was Kurt Nilsen from Norway. Alexander Klaws only made it to ninth place out of eleven participants. In Germany, there was also a one-off spin-off “DSDS Kids” or “The Big Reunion” in 2012. Former candidates met again in 2008 and 2020.

8. Juror diversity

A total of 47 people have sat on the jury in 20 seasons of “DSDS”. At the beginning, it was mainly experts from the music industry such as producer Thomas M. Stein (75) who were represented, in later years the focus was mainly on prominent names and musicians. The best-known members of the jury include Bill and Tom Kaulitz (35), Mandy Capristo (34), Vanessa Mai (32), Michelle (52) and Maite Kelly (44).

9. Live shows

After the castings and various recall rounds, the “DSDS” talents have to impress in themed or live shows and face the audience vote. There have been 146 live shows in the 20 seasons so far. The most frequently sung songs were “Get Here” by Oleta Adams and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (each eight times). The 21st season will be the shortest season to date with a total of 15 episodes and only the finale will be broadcast as a live show.

10. Presenters

In the live shows, the presenters play an important role, usually announcing the respective performances and announcing the viewers' decisions. In 20 seasons, there have been nine presenters so far: Carsten Spengemann, Michelle Hunziker, Nazan Eckes, Raúl Richter, Tooske Ragas, Alexander Klaws, Oliver Geissen, Marco Schreyl and Laura Wontorra.

By (ki/jom/spot)