“DSDS” finalist reveals: “We already knew Bohlen was sick”

Interview

The “DSDS” finalist reveals to Bohlen: “We knew beforehand that he was sick”

Four candidates will battle for the coveted 2021 Superstar title and € 100,000 in the “DSDS” final on Saturday night. One of them is Kevin Jenewein. The Sulzbach carpenter is not part of “DSDS” for the first time, he tried his luck for the first time in 2013, and also last year. But the 27-year-old had not reached the final before.

In an interview with Watson, Kevin spoke about his participation in “DSDS”, his experiences with Dieter Bohlen, alternate juror Thomas Gottschalk and his hopes for the time after the final.

Watson: How was the first live show for you, did it take place in a much smaller, more familiar setting?

Kevin Jenewein: Before that, I was a bit disappointed because I was looking forward to the large number of viewers. My dream is to involve the public in the concerts. Unfortunately that was not possible, but I must say that the set was very cozy and homey. It was fun. When I was on stage for the first time at soundcheck, I didn’t want to go down.

Yes, it was also very welcoming and familiar to the audience, especially the little chat with Oliver Geissen.

Yes! And also the proximity to the juries. In fact, we are a great team and we have been walking this path together for so long, it is just wonderful.

And what was your impression of Thomas Gottschalk as a guest jury? How do you think it went?

I was really surprised, but in a positive way. I grew up with Thomas Gottschalk. At first I couldn’t even imagine him on paper, but he did it very well. I laughed so hard so often because it really created a mood. I also think that the answer he gave was excellent. Although he says he doesn’t know much about music. But actually that’s not true, because he knows so many artists and has already had so many musicians on his couch for “Wetten, dass ..?” I had. He did really well.

Did it seem like a disadvantage that I didn’t know you before, or maybe even an advantage?

Having such a neutral person with you is really nice. Mike and Maite have always been very neutral, but with Dieter you always have the feeling that he has his favorites. Although I have to say this year that I am incredibly proud of how much he has supported me now during performances. But the completely neutral Thomas Gottschalk was very refreshing. And the ratings showed it too: it was a relay record.

You just said that Dieter Bohlen always realized who his favorites were. Was it really remarkable during filming?

Not so much this year, but last year, it was already there, you could see it clearly. This season she was much more separated from Dieter. I think he saw something in each of us. And especially the first nine, there was no one there to say that Bohlen was more of a fan. Sure, he gave Karl his gold CD, but then nothing was noticed about it and that was very nice.

Now he has retired due to illness. Was it a shock to you?

yes, yes It’s like that for me, my path started with Dieter Bohlen. 2013 with “DSDS” was the first thing I did with music and since then again and again. And then this year all the support made me proud. I was a bit sad about it, but health comes first. Now he’s home, he looks at us and greets us on Instagram I hope you are proud.

Did you miss him during the show?

I didn’t really miss him during the show because Gottschalk did so well. Anyway, I would have liked to hear your comments.

He was just sending his Instagram message to you guys. Would you have liked to have been contacted with such a message before the first live show? Or maybe something was coming?

No, but he was sick too. When he got in touch, he felt noticeably better. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard from him before.

How did you react to its failure?

We knew in advance that he was ill. But of course we were hoping that he would get back into shape. But on the same day the press was informed, the candidates also learned of Dieter’s failure, just hours earlier. That was a shock. At first we thought we would only perform in front of Mike and Maite.

How then did you find out about Gottschalk’s engagement?

I think that was the first day of the sound check. I was very happy about that because I grew up with him. My brother and I even tried “Wetten, dass ..?” Applied. But let’s be honest: who doesn’t know Thomas? It is also exactly the target group that Dieter normally encounters. That he intervened in such a short time is crazy.

It was clear from the start, but are you still disappointed that this season, as was common in the early years of “DSDS”, there is no winning song written and produced by Bohlen for the winner?

I must say that he did not have that focus so much that he produced it. But I have to say that I am very excited about my song. It will come out on Thursday and will be called “Hurricane”. It is unbelievably good.

And does everyone have their own song and can you choose it yourself?

Yes, we all had a few to choose from. But I heard it and immediately knew: it is.

What do you want after your time at “DSDS”?

It doesn’t really matter what happens now. Of course, I really want to win, I have been fighting for it for nine years and I am really prepared and have the strength for it. Now I can well imagine that what we are doing right now will continue with my life. I know what it’s like to be in your face. No matter how it turns out, I will continue to exist and I will not leave. More songs will follow, some of them are already in my head or some are at home. You can’t get rid of me one hundred percent.

In what direction are your songs going?

I’ll try it a little more. I love singing in English, I’ve done it a lot already. I will do it again on Saturday.

What are you going to sing exactly?

The starter will be “Giants” by Dermot Kennedy and then I’ll sing “Locked out of heaven” by Bruno Mars. That is going to be really amazing, I have a real choreography and I give it my all. Then there will be a highlight of the season. Mine is “Breath easy” by Blue.