Bülent Ceylan is a permanent member of the advice team at "The Masked Singer" and reveals in an interview what he expects from the final.
On Tuesday (November 24th) the finale of "The Masked Singer" (8:15 pm, ProSieben) ends the six-week guessing game about which stars are hiding in strange costumes such as a fluffy alien or a hippo in a pink tutu. This year Bülent Ceylan (44, "Haardrock") together with Sonja Zietlow (52) took a permanent place in the advice team. In the costume of the angel, the comedian delighted in the first season. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he reveals which task he enjoyed more and what his prognosis for the final is.
As angels, you made the very first appearance in "The Masked Singer" story and are now a permanent member of the advice team. What is the personal meaning of the show for you?
Bülent Ceylan: A very special one! The show was waiting for me and I was waiting for it. When I first appeared as an angel, it was clear to me that this would be an adventure that I will never forget. The audience freaked out and when Max Giesinger compared me to a professional metal singer – I really went crazy, that was just awesome. Suddenly it was my show. The angel is and remains a part of me. When I perform live, the fans want me to perform the "The Masked Singer" songs – now I'm a comedian and a singer. And when I got the approval for the advice team, I was happy like a little boy. I will remain part of the show and the "The Masked Singer" family.
What did you enjoy more – participating in the first season or as part of the advice team?
Ceylan: There's no answer to that. That would be like asking parents: What is your favorite child? The journey as an angel was an incredible experience. The adrenaline before the live performance, the game of hide-and-seek, the team that puts so much passion into it and stands by your side – you only experience that once in this form. But I'm also a curious guy from the ground up. Sitting on the other side at the advice desk, speculating with Sonja and the advice guest, analyzing the clues down to the smallest detail, is also so much fun. And if you're right with your tip, it's a great moment!
Would you take part again as a member of the advice team?
Ceylan: Of course! The nice thing about "The Masked Singer" is that it doesn't really depend on the perfect singing. I don't have to rate anyone here. In the end, it's about how the artist performs on stage and finding out who is under the mask.
Did you benefit from your previous participation as a member of the advice team?
Ceylan: I know every corner of this studio, of course, and I know how the artist feels in the costume. What pressure it is to sing live under the mask. But in addition to the singing voice, gestures are also important – I experienced that myself at the time. My finger had given me away to my fans. Crazy. So I take a closer look: is there anything typical? And you can also rule out some celebrities by height.
Which unmasking did you find the biggest surprise of the season?
Ceylan: The absolute highlight in the first episode was the unmasking of the bee: Veronica Ferres! An absolute mega surprise. Such a superstar!
What is your prediction for the final? Do you have a favorite?
Ceylan: The final is going to be tough! I'm not at all sure about the Anubis and Alien, there is a tendency with the others, but I'm not really sure either! I don't want to commit myself yet.
So far it was the skeleton. The hippopotamus is also very strong in the ballads! Anubis could score with me with more rock songs. Because he can do it! But alien is not to be underestimated either! And I'll take the meerkats home with me … oh, actually I don't have a favorite.
Whose participation in the show would you particularly like?
Ceylan: I would very much like to see Helene Fischer, Udo Lindenberg or Hartmut Engler from Pur on "The Masked Singer"! I know them all and they are really people of the heart. I really appreciate them.
On the Internet and especially in social media, the tips are always carefully analyzed: Are you inspired by the online theories in the advice team?
Ceylan: The first show was more like freestyle. But then I compared all the voices and researched like crazy. Of course you also take note of the theories of the many fans, but in the end you have to draw your own conclusions – that's what makes the show and the guessing fun.
Your mother gave you a tip about cats (Vicky Leandros) – who else did you get tips from?
Ceylan: I also get tips from my fans! But also a lot in self-research.
What significance does the show have for you in times of the pandemic?
Ceylan: I think we need good, funny and colorful entertainment shows right now. With "The Masked Singer" we want to distract people from everyday life for at least a few hours and put a smile on their faces.