At the exclusive shoot with GALA, pop star Sarah Connor talks about her wild family, mishaps under the Christmas tree and her absolute favorite macho.
Santa Claus would feel right at home here. Everywhere in the hip Berlin restaurant “Coccodrillo”, where we have an appointment for the photo shoot, warm lights shine and the dominant color is a rich Santa Claus red. Sarah Connor, 42, also likes the cozy atmosphere immediately. Changing clothes is quick for her, and shortly after her arrival she arranges her enviably long, flawless legs over a red leather couch.
“My legs are my capital,” Sarah exclaims in a good mood and laughs. And her voice, of course. She brought the overalls of a Ukrainian artist to the shoot. The Ukraine will also play a major role at home on Christmas Day: A refugee family is celebrating, which after a few months is already firmly established in the Connor clan. Instead of quiet days, everyone can expect a big party, colorful and fun. Just as Sarah describes the best time of the year in the sensitive lyrics of her new album “Not so silent night”.
Sarah Connor: About the memory of the past
GALA: Your holidays seem to be very romantic: The song “Blame it on the mistletoe” is about a couple who put a “do not disturb” sign on the door.
Sarah Connor: Haha, I dreamed myself away a bit back to the time when my husband Florian and I were a newly in love couple without small children. When I was writing, I had a hotel room in mind and the first phase of being together, in which you can hardly get out of bed.
Does writing songs get easier for you over the years?
Yes and no. Writing in English is definitely easier. The language can simply be sung more smoothly. And today I can look back on a wealth of Christmas experience as a wife, mother or daughter. I write stories close to life. For example, “Not so silent night” is about the chaos on Christmas Eve. It’s not quiet with us.
Only in some moments: The song “24th” is about people who are missed on Christmas Eve. Who are you thinking of?
I miss my grandmother. She passed away in 2019 and I miss her voice and smell very much.
This is how her family spends Christmas
Who is at your home at Christmas?
Traditionally, my husband and I prepare a goose. We take them out, darn them and sew them up again. Once, in the hustle and bustle, we forgot to put the filling in. So we had to unpick everything again, the poor bird was totally torn apart. Even though I hardly eat meat.
Who is stopping by, Christkind or Santa Claus?
Santa Claus! The children are looking forward to him and are still in awe. They recite poems and songs, are praised and reprimanded. The rule is: if you don’t believe in him, you get nothing. (laughs) Before he comes, we dress up and the kids have to retire two hours before the presents. Then the relatives and friends who have no family trundle in. This year, a Ukrainian family who has been living with us since March is celebrating.
It gives us a new perspective on Christmas: how valuable home, security and being together are.
It’s about giving back
Refugees from Syria have also lived with you.
It was a very large family with a completely different cultural background. The mother was forced into marriage at the age of 13, had nine children and could hardly read or write in her own language. This made communication very difficult. The Ukrainian mom with her two boys feels closer to me.
Was it clear to you that you wanted to help again?
Yes. Our first experience wasn’t easy, but it was the right one. Once again I surprised my husband with my decision. (laughs) We have space and it felt right. I drove to the train station with my two oldest children to help. Suddenly a totally exhausted woman with umpteen bags and suitcases and two little boys stood in front of me. We got talking and I invited her to rest with us. You stayed. We’re friends now, our kids play together every day after school. It will be difficult when one day they leave.
What values, other than helpfulness, do you teach your children?
They should be aware of the privileged situation they are growing up in. And that this is not a gift, but a responsibility. That’s why I set an example to them that it’s our duty to give something back, even if it’s uncomfortable at times.
It goes with the fact that you cook for yourself. You could hire someone.
We tried that. And sometimes that’s actually a help when I’m on tour. But the kids prefer it when my husband or I cook for ourselves. It is important to me that the whole family regularly sits together at the table. It’s not that easy with so many people.
“I was and am an instinctive mom”
You became a mother quite early. A blessing?
Total. The transition from being a big sister to being a mother felt fluid, so it wasn’t a huge shock to me as it is to others who have been living independently for a long time. I was and am an instinctive mom. But despite all the joy, in my twenties I often had a longing for studying, living in a flat share, going out. Instead, I worked a lot and supported my family. I had a lot of responsibility very early on and had to grow up quickly.
Not the only challenge during this time: you were divorced at the age of 28.
It wasn’t the end of the world. I was financially independent, I made the decision against this marriage. I knew I could make it on my own and I was too young for a straight face.
They always carry your family with you – as tattoos.
Summer’s first healthy heartbeat [das Mädchen kam mit einem Herzfehler zur Welt, Anm. d. Red.] I got pricked right after her operation. Phini got an OM sign because she was so relaxed as a baby and always beamed. I got a tattoo with Tyler, it means “son”. And I just tattooed a little orca for Jax, who was missing, because he shares my love for whales (shows little whale on her forearm).
Summer also wants to be in showbiz. Does that fill you with pride or worry because you know the pitfalls of the industry?
Both. Summer is insanely close to me. When I see her strong will and nonconformity, she reminds me a lot of myself. I moved out when I was 16 and stumbled into the music business – I had nothing to lose and had to work hard because nobody was funding me. It’s different with my kids today. But I want them to make an effort and learn the craft from scratch. And they have to feel and try themselves away from my shadow. That’s why they’ve both been in England since the end of the summer. Tyler studies music, Summer attends a school with a focus on music, performance and dance.
Between free diving and time at “Macho”
Two children have moved out – this gives you more freedom for your hobby: free diving.
Still, I don’t have much time for it. (laughs) But yeah, I love it. What I particularly like about Free Diving is that you learn to endure the pressure of the water on your body, the pain and the first urge to breathe when you go down. The moment you hit the bottom and are part of this world for a few seconds is absolutely exhilarating.
As a child you fell through the ice and were just saved. Sounds traumatic. Nevertheless, you voluntarily go into the depths.
The ice experience created fears in me, that’s right. That’s why Free Diven was an absolute horror for me at first. I was terrified when I saw the mass of water above me for the first time and wanted to go up. I have learned that fear is an emotion that can be managed. That made me very happy, almost euphoric. I used to struggle with depression and panic attacks. Free Divas and the necessary breathing training helped me a lot.
I have learned that fear is an emotion that can be managed.
You are also courageous on land. You love riding and your horse is called “Macho”. Are you longing for a macho?
The name just fits. “Macho” was a stallion for a very long time, and still behaves like one. I just have a thing for wayward men. (laughs) It’s incredibly nice to go horseback riding with my kids, to get dirty and to communicate with the animals. It clears my head, just like diving.
How else do you relax?
In the nature. I love trees, especially at this time of year. I talk to them, thank them for being there. I feel like they are answering me. They say: hey, no matter what changes, we’re still here. That grounds me. Trees are a big constant in my life.