... his position in society
I don't do any harm & I wish everyone well - it's strange, I polarize people. Some say, "Gosh, he's nice", others say, "He's bloody awful". I know one half like me & the other half don't. It makes me sad to see some people aren't tolerant at all.

... people who don't wish him well
I rely on positive energy & imagine there is a protecting circle around me & that I'm flying through the world; I try to keep bad energies off me.

... his portrayal as a clown
I love to make people smile, to convey something by a smile, but I don't want to be seen as a clown. I can be serious indeed - I'm just trying to live my own life.

... his job at the nursery school
I'm a nursery-school teacher & proud of it. I've decided for this job since I love to work with children & I'm very interested in discovering the new generation. I think it suits me, I like the caring professions. I'm happy when I can do something good for the children & they say "thank you, Daniel".

... family
Family... well... I have to say, family is always there, even when you're down... I have to say now I'm fine & successful, but if I should not be fine any more, they'd still be there & that's the good thing about family.

... his life as a divorced parents' child
When I was very young... when I was little... I've always been daddy's boy... but till the age of five I'd live with my mum... since I was very young it seemed normal to me. I was used to be with both mum & dad – it was my existence. My mum has married quite a few times, she's an adventurous woman I'd say, whereas my dad is a very realistic person, one who says, "both feet on the ground & nothing but this". They've always been a strange match.

... his time at the children's home
Honestly, I had the hardest time at the children's home but on the other hand, in a positive way, it was the time when I learned most. I hated to live in one room with so many different people. Yet this experience helped me get through the time with DSDS. Because then I lived in one house with people & got to know them, same as at the children's home, where I was the oldest, it was my own will, not my parents', I wanted to move out because I wanted to be independent. In order to get a flat of my own I had to go through the children's home. It was a test – during that time I realized how much you can learn in three months. I learned even more during the five months of DSDS. This is why I'm a bit more mature than most 17-year olds.

... his biggest dream
Well, my biggest dream really is to fly away from earth. I'd like to fly in a space shuttle & land on the moon. I've always wanted to do this when I was little since my grandpa is really into astrology, that would be my thing ... hobby astrologer. To walk on the moon some time & be in another world, that would be ace...

... on his weakest point
Well... Im very impatient, I must admit. Sometimes I'm really... I get furious. That is, if something doesn't suit me I make no secret of it & say 'I won't have that'. That's what it's like but my friends accept it since they're friends.

Dieter Bohlen
In my opinion, Dieter Bohlen is the actual Superstar of the show. In my view, he's a person whose image, what we all thought of him... I'd read the paper & used to think what an idiot is he, what kind of person? But I'd also think he's honest, he can't be a bad guy – since we're influenced by the media hype & now I even got to know him & have to say he's more empathic than Mother Theresa & more honest than... well I'm not saying Gerhard Schröder... than many people. He's a personality Germany must have.

... the meaning of 'Heartbeat'
I think ... actually... well, why 'Heartbeat'... I often think with my heart & the heartbeat is most important in us & thus I think 'Heartbeat', simply... I thought I pass something important on to the people & in my opinion, this is 'Heartbeat'.

... his number 1 hit
I'd say, having a number one hit in the German charts is not that easy, you have to work really hard. I've seen that – even though the nation is split about me & I have so many opponents – I did struggle & have managed to have a number one hit. And I must say, I'm proud of it.

... times when he's got enough of being famous
Well... there's always a certain point – I've got a soul & my soul belongs to me & I'd never sell it. I don't sell myself to television. I don't sell myself to anyone. I don't sell myself to some record label, I do try to stay who I am. I've just been back to Eggenfelden for two days, for example, & I've realized this – my friends, ordinary life. You get your apple juice from the kitchen, it's not brought to you & these are the things you really... other people find it hard to understand, but when you get the apple juice yourself then really... you see it as a gift. Then I often think, I get the apple juice & I'm proud of it because it's not brought to me. And these are the situations when I really think I don't need all that, I don't need glamour. 'Glamour pure'. Well, I must say I don't need it. I'm just....just trying to keep my feet on the ground & just be a 17-year-old boy who does it his way & tries to stay in the business.

... which mistake he's made in the showbiz
What was sometimes not okay... I've been too naive, which many people took for... – when you're too open-minded you're easily attacked... since the people then know the [weak] point or how does he react this way or that – this is how we can attack him – this may be the only mistake.

... how he copes with the pressure
Positive thinking of course, that's the most important thing! And to keep your self-confidence. And to stand up again when you're down. This is what I count on. There's not much more – I often meditate, this is one of my tricks – not much more, you just have to get through it. You can't make something out of nothing. I think this is the most important thing.

... wearing make-up
Since I'm an androgynous type I try to live both sides. This can be really bad since some people make me out to be a fairy or a queen, others make me out to be a dyke or something. The androgynous side is attractive to many women because I think they identify with it & find it cool when men do things women are interested in. I think women get attention through their make-up & I use it for the same reason since I think a man's face can look nice & doesn't have to be hairy. And I just want to shine like a woman, too.