“The Masked Singer”
Jens Riewa found himself “extremely hot” as a chili
Die Chili: “Tagesschau” head spokesman Jens Riewa had to take off his mask in the first episode “The Masked Singer”.
© ProSieben / Willi Weber
Jens Riewa had to reveal himself as the first costume for “The Masked Singer”. A neighbor almost caught on to him …
Chili was the first candidate to take off the mask at the start of “The Masked Singer” (Saturdays, 8:15 pm on ProSieben). “Tagesschau” head spokesman Jens Riewa (58) hid under the costume. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he reveals how he kept his participation a secret and why a neighbor almost got on with him in the run-up to the broadcast.
They were the first to be exposed. How disappointed are you?
Jens Riewa: In the first few seconds, of course, I was a bit disappointed because I had prepared so many tracks that I could have put together an entire album. The preparations were very intensive and the effort was enormous. The disappointment only lasted a few seconds, I’m still full of adrenaline and joy about the unique chance to take part in the show. It was like Christmas, Pentecost, Easter and children’s birthday parties all rolled into one.
How hard was it to keep your attendance a secret?
Riewa: That is the hardest part, but also an essential part of this world. You have to keep the secret to yourself for an unimaginably long period of time. Actually, only my management was privy to it. That is a challenge, especially in times when everything is checked and followed on social media. I always say: you mutate into James Bond.
Did you have a standard excuse after going to practice and rehearsals?
Riewa: Actually, I did it well, only once did I have to use a little white lie: to a neighbor who heard my singing in our noisy old building. She then assumed: “Well, you’re a television person, are you practicing for ‘The Masked Singer’?” I then told her that I would have a gig with the “Tagesschau” choir in the next two weeks. The day after the broadcast, she wrote to me: “NDR choir, it’s clear …” (laughs.)
Her “Tagesschau” colleague Judith Rakers was also there. Did she suspect something? And did you get tips from her inconspicuously?
Riewa: No! I also found out about her appearance as a chick very late and she did not notice anything about my participation. But she was the first to congratulate me after the show. We definitely have a lot to tell each other now.
What was the most surprising experience behind the stage? Was everything as you imagined?
Riewa: Not even close, I had no idea. It is organized like the army of a state. Everything takes place in black rooms and the deepest darkness, only a few tiny points of light are used for orientation. You can hardly see anything through the costumes, at most a meter. Every now and then you bump into whom.
How did you do with your costume? Was it very hot underneath?
Riewa: I assumed four kilos in four days! (laughs) You sweat torrents. During the dress rehearsal alone, I spent three and a half hours under my costume.
Were you allowed to choose the costume yourself? Do you care about the chilli?
Riewa: Unfortunately, I can’t say much about that. But I was happy to breathe a little life into the chilli. I found myself extremely hot as a chili.
Behind the scenes, can you guess who’s among the other costumes? Do you have a guess?
Riewa: I don’t have the slightest idea. The individual masks are completely sealed off from each other, even the teams that take care of the costumes don’t know each other.
Which of your comrades-in-arms do you think will win the race in the end?
Riewa: I hope that someone who is not a professional singer wins. I don’t have a favorite, but I held hands with the teddy bear and that felt very good. I don’t know who’s under the costume, but the chemistry was right.