Sophia and Simone Thomalla: “With Sophia, as a mother, you run into the wall”

They are Germany’s most famous mother-daughter team. Actress Simone Thomalla, 56, has been delighting millions of viewers for more than ten years with her ZDF series “Spring”. Her daughter Sophia Thomalla, 32, is the presenter of the RTL dating show “Are You The One?” and “Date Or Drop” about love on TV.

She is also active as an entrepreneur. So much to do for the two of them. Despite this, they are already totally awake during the GALA shoot and interview, even in the early hour – it’s just after eight. In contrast to Simone’s mixed breed male Arnie, who falls asleep gently at the first flash of photos.

Simone and Sophia Thomalla in the GALA interview

GALA: How do you tick as a mother and daughter, are you “best friends”?
Simone Thomalla: No, we are not friends. I am her mother and a child is a child. As simple as that.

Sophia Thomalla: You can’t always choose. (laughs)

What do you appreciate most about each other?
Sophia: I particularly appreciate her cooking skills, I benefit from that the most. Or her tips on how to get stains out of clothes.

Simone: I appreciate her inconspicuous, modest, tender and almost quiet nature, which eats out of her mother’s hand! (laughs)

And how do you differ the most?
Simone: Sophia is a bit of rock’n’roll. She has a particularly strong will.

As a mother, you’re running into a wall. What she wants, she wants. What she doesn’t want, she doesn’t want.

Do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone?
Simone: Yes, my perfectionism constantly gets in my way. I think a hundred times about stepping out of my comfort zone, but Sophia doesn’t care. She is fearless, likes to provoke and risks falling on her face. And when it happens, she doesn’t give a damn either. That’s why I envy her. She’s in charge of riots.

Sophia, as you know, you like to cook, clean and wash for your partner at home. how come
Sophia: In principle, I prefer to do things for other people than for myself. For example, I would never think of putting a pot on the stove for myself. Even doing laundry sucks for me alone. But I like doing all that for a partner, then I just work things off.

What characterizes a strong woman for you?
Sophia: For me, being strong means making your own decisions. And live life the way you want without worrying about it every day or asking anyone for permission. I also don’t need my partner’s credit card.

Simone: Well, my strength is that I have been and am independent of men all my life.

Can one criticize you?
Simone: I don’t get criticized that often. (laughs) But if you criticize Sophia in my presence, I turn into a wild boar. It is probably in nature that one spreads one’s wings protectively over one’s child. I feel sorry for any child who does not experience this care.

Would you like to be as young as your daughter?
Simone: No, for God’s sake! But wait: I think I’m slowly getting to the age where I would say “yes”. Young, carefree and still ahead of you – sounds tempting.

Sophia, are you thinking about getting older?
Sophia: I’m not afraid of it. But I can already feel how time flies. An example: I have 30,000 photos on my cell phone. Looking at some from 2017 feels like ages ago. We’ve all given away the last two years.

Half a year ago you fell in love with tennis pro Alexander Zverev. How are things between you?
Sofia: Really good. Even if we now have to organize the whole year for two lives and two diaries, because the tournaments for 2023 are already fixed. And because I don’t have a job in which the same thing happens every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., it’s a challenge – but doable.

What fascinates you about Alexander?
Sophia: It’s just good for me, even though we’re totally different. Alex is very emotional, I not so much.

We complement each other perfectly. It’s a new, beautiful experience for me. A new level that I am very happy to embark on.

Simone, how high is Alexander Zverev’s son-in-law potential?
Simone: He’s definitely a very funny guy and I love that. I think if you can laugh with men, that’s half the battle. And Sascha is a family man, which is great, because this solidarity is very important to me.

Do you want grandchildren?
Simone: Yes. (looks at her daughter) But I don’t care if you wait a little longer because I don’t have enough time to be a good grandma.

Sophia: That would give me a headache otherwise. When I become a mother, I need my mother too. Always and everywhere. I’m overwhelmed by the thought alone.

Simone, you separated from handball professional Silvio Heinevetter in 2021 after 13 years together – by mutual agreement. How are you today?
Simone: I’m a bit different from Sophia. I don’t process 13 years in a few weeks. It’s fine the way it is, but it just takes time. I haven’t had that many relationships in my life, and I’ve never really been single.

So now I’m making time for myself, straightening myself up, enjoying being on my own, and enjoying being alone. Sometimes it works more, sometimes less. I don’t necessarily have to jump into the next relationship right now unless Mr. Right is in front of me tomorrow. But then please first outpatient and not so quickly inpatient.

Sophia is still in contact with Silvio. Does that bother you?
Simone: No, Silvio was also at her side for 13 years. So why should she no longer have contact with him? The one has nothing to do with the other. And there’s no reason to stop her. My relationship with Silvio is excellent today – but we don’t see each other.

Is online dating an option?
Simone: No. They won’t find me on Tinder! (laughs)

How do you deal with lovesickness? Dedicated line and lots of handkerchiefs?
Sophia: When it comes to private problems, I am very solitary and at the same time someone who processes things very quickly. It takes two or three weeks, then I’m done with the topic. I collect myself quickly and then quickly find connection again. I don’t wallow in self-pity.

Simone: She really hates it when you wallow in self-pity. I love to wallow in self pity!

Sophia: I’m just too good for it. If one decides that’s it, then okay please! I’m so incredibly confident in myself – those around me know what I mean. And if I’m not the right person in the eyes of the other person, then I sincerely wish them luck with their new search or whatever seems better at the moment.

Silvio Heinevetter, Loris Karius, Alexander Zverev: Your partners are all top athletes. What fascinates you about this type of man?
Sophia: I just think we both like real guys, regardless of the job.

Simone: Yes, to authentic and humorous men. But if I’m being honest, there doesn’t need to be a training schedule in my life anymore. And by the way, by the way: Age doesn’t matter to me at all.

Gala