Rea Garvey: He wants to get better at unraveling the "Masked Singer"

Rea Garvey
He wants to get better at unraveling the "Masked Singer"

After a guest appearance last season, Rea Garvey (47, "Hy Brasil") is back in the fourth round of "The Masked Singer" as a permanent member of the advice team alongside Ruth Moschner (44) (from February 16, live every Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. on ProSieben and on Joyn). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the musician tells which stars have blown him away and which costume he is particularly excited about this time. He also reveals how he remains motivated as a musician during the pandemic and what his wife has to do with it.

After a council guest appearance in the previous season, you are now back as a permanent council member. What is the meaning of the show for you personally?

Rea Garvey: I love the show. And besides Ruth, it's even more fun! She's completely crazy about finding out who's behind the mask before it falls. I think my job is to stand next to her with a bucket of water and to cool her down in good time if she gets too hot (laughs).

Which unmasking has been the biggest surprise for you in all seasons so far?

Garvey: Stefanie Heinzmann was the biggest surprise for me. I know her so well and her voice is so unique that I was sure I would recognize her immediately even with a mask on my head. Unfortunately, she was the first to take off the mask in the second season. It showed me that not everyone immediately reveals the cards, which made the show even more intense for me.

Which mask were you fundamentally wrong about?

Garvey: As a council guest in season three, I made a big mistake with Vicky Leandros: I was convinced that under the mask there was more of an actress and not a singer. And I was so wrong! Sometimes typing on a guessing team is just as hard as singing under a mask. This time I have made it my goal to be a little better at unraveling the stars.

You have to create the mood in the studio again without an audience. How do you intend to do that and how much are the spectators missing?

Garvey: I think our job as the advice team is to replace the audience for the stars under the masks. Because of us, they have stage fright and give everything on stage. I also don't hold back my feelings and give the stars direct positive feedback. Ruth and I are crazy enough to fill the studio with mood. It doesn't matter if we dance, scream or applaud. There is no substitute for a full studio audience, but we do our best to convey the incredibly good performances and the atmosphere in the studio to the audience in front of the screens.

Which mask are you most looking forward to this year?

Garvey: The flamingo looks very tense and exciting. But I have a strange feeling that the unicorn is going to be my nemesis this season. Unfortunately, unicorns have the same effect on me as cuddly rabbits. I'm sure this has to do with my childhood, I just don't know exactly how …

The monstronaut was received differently by the fans and was dubbed a cheap copy of the monster, among other things. What do you think of the criticism?

Garvey: All of the masks I've seen on this show have been extremely impressive and I'm sure the monstronaut won't let us down. I believe that this cozy alien pink has a place in every heart (laughs).

Is it more difficult or easier for you as a musician to recognize the celebrities?

Garvey: The difficulty is that even though someone sings like a professional musician, they don't have to be a professional singer. This is confusing and makes it difficult for me. It helps me then to compare the singer with professional stars who have already been revealed. Because the masks sometimes hide the real vocal qualities of the stars. On the show, I learned to rely on my gut instinct. I'm not 100% successful with that, but it helps me keep my sanity (laughs).

How difficult is it for you in the pandemic to stay motivated and creative as a musician?

Garvey: My wife Josephine and I started an online show: Our "The Yellow Jacket Session" runs almost every Thursday evening on our YouTube channel. I play songs, we talk about a lot of different things and we laugh a lot. The great response from the fans motivated us to keep the show going. At a time when it would be easier to crawl into a hole and wait for it to be all over, we decided to be creative and give the many fans some lockdown home entertainment and that's great. I have to thank my wife very much for that. She kicks me in the butt when the wheels fall off the car. She's the backbone of the show and I'm the house band.

Can you even plan your year 2021 in these uncertain times?

Garvey: I'm afraid the year 2021 will be as long and intense as 2020 – but with the prospect of an end to the pandemic. I hope that we will all contest it with our heads held high and stay healthy both physically and mentally. My father always said to me: the last mile is the longest. We have all achieved so much together. We should be proud of that. These times are difficult for everyone and it is important to look ahead: To a time when only the stars on the "Masked Singer" stage wear a mask.

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