In an interview, Nicolas Puschmann looks back on his time as "Prince Charming" and reveals what he thinks of his successor.
In 2019 Nicolas Puschmann (29) was looking for his great love first on TVNow and later on VOX as the first "Prince Charming". The pilot project was a success and was even awarded a Grimme Prize. Accordingly, his successor Alexander Schäfer (29) found his successor Alexander Schäfer (29) in this year's season of the gay dating show. On Monday evening, Schäfer will decide on his dream prince among the candidates in the final on VOX (10:15 p.m.). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Nicolas Puschmann looks back on his time as "Prince Charming" and reveals what he thinks of his successor Alexander.
How much did you follow the second season of "Prince Charming" and how was it for you not to experience it as the "Prince"?
Nicolas Puschmann: Of course I followed Alexander Schäfer's love journey because I was super curious to be able to experience the format from a bird's eye view. I was there for the first season and therefore packed a lot more emotionally while watching, or I immediately got into some emotions again. This time I was able to enjoy the show as a relaxed spectator. But I also empathized – especially at the moment when Alexander met the men for the very first time. That was the most exciting moment for me back then, besides the finale, of course.
Do you get sentimental?
Puschmann: A little. It was such a wonderful time that you experience there. I immediately remembered all of my men and thought of all of our group and individual dates and conversations during happy hour. Now and then I would like to have the time again. But then it shouldn't be about data anymore. Instead I would like to have all 20 men together again in the same house and would like to live with them for a week in our mans villa. I can understand certain situations better now. For example, when candidates complain about something Alexander did. Or rather, I have compassion for him because I know what it is like to take on the role of the prince. And, especially at the beginning, to have 20 men in view at once and to give everyone the same due attention.
How do you think Alexander Schäfer has fared overall as your successor?
Puschmann: Alexander did well. Because I think it's not easy to follow in our footsteps after a debut season that won the Grimme Prize. I pay my utmost respect to Alexander for doing this. Of course he's different from me. He has a completely different style and was different from me in terms of type and approaches. It's great that we sometimes see a completely different style of a prince. It would be a shame if he had done everything one-to-one like me.
What do you think of the comparisons between you and Alex?
Puschmann: I think comparing is human and of course it's very flattering when someone says: one or the other was the better. Alex didn't have it easy in my opinion because the people who have been cheering since season one are probably eyeing the new prince even more closely. In advance I wished him the best of luck on his love journey and said to him: Don't watch anything! Do your thing and don't pretend to be like you've seen it before. I think he did that really well by simply being him. And I was me then.
You know how difficult it can be to choose between the last two men. What is going on in the moment the last tie is awarded?
Puschmann: While the person is standing in front of you, you are in a kind of trance. You concentrate so much that you retell everything you experienced with the candidate. You are just completely focused in that moment. It was more difficult when my sister came to my villa and gave me the letters from Lars and Dominic. Because I had developed feelings for both of them, the letters really tore me apart. I loved both of them and I also knew they both loved me. Who can offend someone? I was nervous and tense. I was completely overwhelmed and said in the interview: "If I would go after my head, I could not make a decision." But because it's a show format, you have to do it.
There will also be a third season of "Prince Charming" and TVNow is also planning "Princess Charming". The RTL format "Take Me Out" will also present two episodes for gay singles only. What does that mean to you?
Puschmann: It means a lot to me that there are now more and more queer formats. Because that shows me that with the start of a format like "Prince Charming" we got a ball rolling in the media world. And that this courage, which was shown at the beginning by TVNow and later by VOX, was rewarded – namely by the viewers. Because the first season was so successful and was also honored, I am very proud that so many sisters and brothers have emerged from this first format and that the "Charming family" is getting bigger and bigger.
What are your tips for future princes and princesses who want to embark on the adventure?
Puschmann: My tip is definitely: You really want to get involved in the project with all your heart. Be aware of why you are going there, that it is about love and that you can show who you are. There is nothing better for the audience than to see an authentic person in front of the camera and suffer, laugh along, smile along and / or get annoyed with them. Just have fun and above all: get involved with every candidate, even if at first glance they don't match your loot scheme. I noticed that at the time: This format gives you the chance to fall in love at second glance. It slows you down a lot, because you don't have a mobile phone and you can concentrate on the basic instincts such as gut feeling. The fast pace as with all the dating apps, where you just swipe left and right, is gone and you can concentrate on more than just the case.
Would you take part in a dating format like Prince Charming again?
Puschmann: Never say never. Stand now: No. Once you've survived such a format in a cool way, even been there when it was launched and received your own prize for it – you can never beat that. When it's best, stop. That's why I'm leaving my monument like that. I don't think it can get any better.