The winner of the fifth season “The Masked Singer” is called Alexander Klaws. In an interview, the 38-year-old reveals how his four-year-old son reacted to the revelation and what was going on behind the scenes.
Mülli Müller prevailed in the finale of the ProSieben show “The Masked Singer” on Saturday evening and won the fifth season. Under the costume of the blue-green garbage monster was ex- “DSDS” winner and musical actor Alexander Klaws. “It was all somehow surreal and weird,” he says in an interview with the news agency spot on news, looking back on his trip in the guess show.
Congratulations on winning “The Masked Singer”. How did you feel shortly after the unmasking?
Thanks very much! It was a surreal moment to take off the mask. If you’ve walked through this studio masked for six weeks and haven’t taken off your mask on stage once, and then you’re finally allowed to do it. It was just amazing and liberating. It was really nice to get some fresh air again. It was like being in a movie and you look into the confused faces of the advice team – it was all somehow surreal and weird.
As a musical performer, you have a lot to do with masks and costumes in your professional life. What was new for you on “The Masked Singer”?
Everything! As Tarzan I had nothing on and as Mülli Müller I wore a lot. As a musical performer, I have been very spared in my roles as far as the costumes are concerned. What I have now experienced and played on “The Masked Singer” – with this huge thing on my head – I have never done that in my entire life.
How did you keep yourself physically fit for your performances?
In terms of fitness, I have to say that I would have liked to have done a little more beforehand. I put on this costume and after five minutes I sweated while sitting. There was a four-inch layer of foam around me. I was not only wider, but also taller because of this mass of costume and then the head comes on top. It was simply a matter of: Close your eyes and go through. Training now wouldn’t have helped either. I tried to stay healthy, it’s cold season after all. I was often in the sauna and steam room and often had to have a massage because my head was so heavy. After the first week I couldn’t do anything.
Environmental protection was very important to your character, Mülli Müller. How do you deal with this issue?
That has always been important to me too. I have never understood why you come out of the supermarket with apples in a plastic bag or why everything is generally packed in plastic. When we were building in Hamburg, we decided on an energy-efficient house. And since I have my two children, it’s even more important to me to give them a message along the way. I don’t want you to live in a world where there are suddenly tornadoes in Germany. The only ones who can change that are us.
How is your older son reacting to the issue?
My son – that’s no fun now – played Mülli Müller in kindergarten, although he didn’t even know it was me. The children should learn what goes into which bin. Then he came home and proudly told me: “Dad, we played Mülli Müller today.” And I almost fell over. You just have to become aware of what we are doing with our world.
You said your son was unaware of your participation in The Masked Singer. Have you spoken to him in the meantime?
I spoke to him this morning. My wife just sent me a video. She filmed his reaction to the breakup. The funny thing is that he said, “I knew it!” He probably guessed it because I tried out and sang in my cabin at home. Once he came out of kindergarten early and surprised me. When he heard that Mülli Müller was singing exactly the same song, he probably figured out a little bit. But I think it’s crazy that he still didn’t say anything. I think he’s the type to be trusted with secrets in the future. I will definitely watch the video again. That sweet and proud laugh when he sees Papa as Mülli Müller makes your heart open.
Secrecy is a key issue on this show. How was that for you?
Of course, secrecy was the be-all and end-all. Fortunately, we had a lot of lead time to plan certain things. My wife is now back on stage. We had to see how we deal with the nanny, babysitter or parents and think about whether we would let them in or not. I was often jittery there and it was my biggest panic that at some point I would chat up.
Who knew about your participation in advance?
Just my manager and my wife.
How was the contact among the artists behind the scenes of “The Masked Singer”?
There actually wasn’t any. Each character has a personal assistant and you depend on these people. You’re kind of a ghost. People don’t even know that you are there or who you are. I think some of the hotels didn’t even know that they were sleeping there. You go in through the underground car park, are masked and go into the room. Nobody knows that you are there. It was like that backstage too. Nobody knows who is under the mask. It’s already crazy and creepy.
You indicated on the show that you would be part of “The Masked Dancer”. Maybe as Mülli Müller again?
I think Mülli has now demolished the hut so blatantly that I am happy to leave the red carpet to the newcomers. Who knows when you’ll see Mülli again at some point, but he needs a break now. Maybe someday you will see me on the other side of the table.
The journey on “The Masked Singer” is now over. What will you do first after the interview marathon?
I enjoy it because we artists had to shut up for two years. For me it is exciting to see how the role of Mülli has been received outside. Here and there I’ll check out certain people who didn’t know that it was me either. I will let everything work on me and still have to digest it. There were an unbelievable number of impressions, I have seldom experienced that.