Vanessa Mai
Singer works for a day in the inclusive drugstore
© Aktion Mensch/Chris Rausch
Vanessa Mai will definitely remember this day for a long time. The singer completed a day internship in an inclusive drugstore.
“I personally am extremely lucky with my life,” says Vanessa Mai (31). She is one of the most successful pop stars in Germany and has found true love with her husband and manager Andres Ferber (40). “But I also know that this is absolutely not a given,” explains the singer.
“It has always been important to me to remain humble despite all the colorfulness in show business.” Mai is currently involved in an Aktion Mensch campaign for the second time. The singer completed a day internship in an inclusive drugstore where people with and without disabilities work together. “Social issues and campaigns are the perfect opportunity to give something back,” says the 31-year-old happily, describing her impressions in the interview.
You completed a day internship in an inclusive drugstore. What new did you learn from the employees and what did you enjoy the most?
Vanessa Mai: It’s always nice to work with people and learn something about them. The background, how long the people have been working there, what they enjoy and what they experience in everyday life – but also what challenges they face. During my day internship, I saw how people with and without disabilities work together naturally and how enriching this cooperation is for everyone. This broadened my horizons and was incredibly fun.
Have you had a new look at the topic of inclusion since your visit to Aktion Mensch’s funding project?
May: Absolutely. You never stop learning and I, for example, didn’t even know the concept. The joy and reliability with which the employees work here – many people can definitely take a lesson from that!
This is the second time that you have been involved in an Aktion Mensch campaign – currently for the #VielVor campaign. Why are social issues so important to you?
Mai: If I’m being completely honest: I’m personally extremely lucky with my life. I am healthy, happily married, was able to turn my hobby into a career and live a contented life – and that applies to most of my private and family environment. But I also know that this is absolutely not a given. It has always been important to me to remain humble despite all the colorfulness in show business. And social issues and campaigns like this are the perfect opportunity to give something back.
Do you have contact with people with disabilities in your family or circle of friends?
Mai: Not directly – but of course I have had points of contact at my concerts for many, many years. There are a lot of people with disabilities that I see at my concerts and it always makes me happy to see how everyone is having a good time.
What do you think it takes for everyone to be able to live and work independently? What is missing in the world of work?
Mai: I think it’s a process. There are certainly many more opportunities for people with disabilities to work and shape their lives today, especially in Germany, than there were a few years or even decades ago. Thanks to innovations in everyday life, technology and digitalization, we will definitely have an even better overall picture in a few years – and society in this country is also keen to raise awareness of this and make this possible.
What is important to you when it comes to having the opportunity to live a self-determined life?
Mai: A self-determined life has always been important to me – but it also took courage and strength to be able to work for this life, especially in relation to my job. Today, after over ten years in the music industry, I can confidently say that I can do what I want to do and what I believe in.
You can already look forward to an impressive career at a young age. What tips would you give to young people who have big plans and want to be successful?
Mai: We live in fast-moving times, but really sustainable success doesn’t come overnight. I toured with my first band Wolkenfrei for almost two years across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, sometimes playing in front of a few dozen people. You shouldn’t and can’t expect that success will come in such a short time – and if it does, that it will even last. There is always more to this. So my advice is: Don’t let yourself get down and stick with it!
You certainly still have a lot planned: What future projects or goals do you have that your fans can look forward to?
May: I’m already really looking forward to 2024. There’s a lot coming up. New music from Vanessa Mai is coming – and many great live projects are also being planned, I can tell you that much! I’m definitely super excited and am already looking forward to celebrating with my fans again.