Kerstin Ott: After Corona, she has more stage fright again

Kerstin Ott
After Corona, she has more stage fright again

Kerstin Ott (40) released the deluxe version of her successful album “All cats are gray at night” last week. After the long corona lockdowns, the big stages are now waiting for the singer again. The “always laughing” interpreter suffers from fear of performing, which she is now actually dealing with “relatively relaxed”, as she explains in an interview with spot on news. However, due to the Corona break, stage fright had “greater again”. The 40-year-old also reveals why she always has to start laughing when it comes to “Let’s Dance” and what she owes to her participation in the 2019 show.

Big concerts are coming up soon. You suffer from performance anxiety. Do you have a ritual to overcome them every time?

Kerstin Ott: In the meantime, thank God, I’ve gained experience and know how to deal with this pressure before a performance. It took a couple of 100 gigs to get there. But the nice thing is, you grow with your tasks. If I’ve prepared and sung well before a performance and then I’m actually completely calm for the last five minutes before it starts and I’m not being chattered about from all sides anymore, I’m relatively relaxed by now.

In the corona pandemic you had fewer appearances than usual. Will it be a challenge for you to be on the big stage more often again?

Ott: Yes, I can clearly see that. In any case, the stage fright is now greater again. But that is also due to the fact that the everyday was missing and the rhythm that you had before. I have to slowly work that out again. But I think everyone knows that. If you used to do something almost every day and then took a break almost completely for two years, then you have to slowly approach it again.

What did you make time for during the pandemic that you otherwise didn’t have?

Ott: First of all, I really enjoyed sleeping in my own bed for many days at a time. I thought that was great. We also renovated everything at home that needed renovation. Because we knew: When it starts again, we won’t have time for it. We got everything in order. That was great fun too.

Did everything go smoothly during the renovation?

Ott: Yes. I still know many craftsmen from back then, when I was still working as a freelance painter and varnisher. That’s how I knew who I had in the house. But we also did a lot ourselves. So I’m very happy that everything went well and there weren’t any major difficulties. We’re always very spontaneous. We think about what’s next – and if we have a bit of time, we’ll get started.

The pandemic also gave you plenty of time to think about your exceptional career. How do you look back on that?

Ott: I am very grateful that everything has come and gone as it has over the past five years. A lot of work went into it too. A lot of people always think that once you have your breakthrough song, you don’t have to do much anymore. I’m glad that I have such a great team and that the fans were so frugal with me from the start. I don’t have to put on any dance shows for my performances and can just be who I am. I think that’s also a small recipe for success.

Speaking of the dance show: in 2019 you took part in “Let’s Dance” and were the first woman to dance with a dancer. The show is currently on TV again. Are you following the 15th season?

Ott: When I have time and I’m at home, I’ll take a look. My wife is still a huge fan of this show and has been for years. I always come when it’s convenient.

How do you remember your own participation?

Ott: I always have to laugh a little when it comes to dancing and “Let’s Dance”. It quickly became clear to me that I wasn’t a luminary on the dance floor. I actually thought that I might be able to acquire that. But it quickly became clear that this could not work. Nonetheless, I learned a lot. I still have a good friendship with Regina (Luca, professional dancer, editor’s note). I’m also very grateful that it got me back into the sport back then. I still do that today. Before that I didn’t do any sport for years. It’s now a total win for me.

Are you already working on a new album? What’s next in the pipeline?

Ott: There are a lot of performances coming up. Also, before the album is after the album and vice versa. I’m constantly writing songs and I hope to come up with great ideas.

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