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AUTHOR:
STEFAN
He divides the nation in 2 contrary parties, the ones who love him and the ones who, let´s say, don´t like him that much. Presenting himself as candidate for "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" he by now became the Superstar of Hearts, a colourful bird among a cage full of grey sparrows. But his life since his decision to join the casting didn´t always pass like it should be normal for a 17-year old. Nevertheless, what counts as normal for him? He is a personality you will not find anything alike in this world. You could divide the steps from the casting to the most celebrated "Superstar"* -candidate into 4 stages; I for my part witnessed a visible unfolding of his personality.
Stage 1: The Childish Rascal
We all witnessed when he cheekily turned up at the casting with his guitar before the jury, just for the sake of, like he said in retrospective, seeing Dieter Bohlen once live. His first performances until the "Musical"-show were ruled by boundless curiosity and untamed joy and thrill. An carefree Daniel caused enthusiasm in the audience and, above all, in himself. The passionately crooned "Unchained Melody" and the "Tragedy"-performance spiced with unfamiliar whirlwind elements made the audience go mad and the hearts break.
Stage 2: The Ambitious Singer
Since the "Eighties"-show and the almost camp Nena-performance, even more in the "Big Band"-show as Daniel "Sinatra" Küblböck a distinct transformation could be sensed. He no longer was the light-hearted Daniel, but the ambitious, even seeming strained entertainer of a show, always in search of the right note. He rehearsed determinedly to show his critics and the media: Yes, I can sing! His stage outfits did one more thing. All that culminated in the "Seventies/Disco"-show where he seemed vocally spent, simply exhausted by all the rehearsals and hunted by ambition. There even was a feeling of resignation when he shook his head after a completely failed passage in Night Fever, high up on the gallery. Ambition can be seen in the fact, that in spite of a slight cold (which he only admitted later) he didn´t ask for sympathy but remained silent and concentrated on his performance. The tense situation culminates in the breakdown at the end of the "Big Band"-Show when all the accumulated strain closes in upon him.
Phase 3: Reflection on Original Skills
With the help of a three weeks´ break Daniel finds his way back to his original skills. His performances in the "Film Soundtrack" show are refreshing and relaxed, almost like the "old" Daniel of the beginning. However they are more mature, his movements on stage, his body language, even the conscious play with some erotic gestures like in "Born to be wild" show a grown-up Daniel who doesn´t have to concentrate desperately on hitting the right notes. It is just consequent that he takes his dismissal from the show very composedly.
Phase 4: The thoughtful, happy and also impulsive Daniel
After his leave of DSDS* Daniel at first shows himself as being a little disappointed, but overcomes this quickly and presents more "grown-up" than ever. He judges his dismissal to be positive, is proud to have been made it so far and doesn´t grudge the other vocally stronger candidates the promotion.
Only a few days later he comments his former performances objectively in detail, sees his strengths and weaknesses. In several talkshows and events he is someone who attracts sympathy and even is able to take control of the programme
with just turning up. He moves more skilfully in dealing with the media and doesn´t let himself be cornered anymore. Now he is somebody who likes to try out things, who joins and enjoys a lot of things in "juvenile foolishness". The car training, the first "BRAVO-Supershow", the aftershow party - all these
are events which will help him achieving his goal to become an established artist. You can positively sense his joy of life when he is animated, dances all night or tells delightedly of the nearly-orgasm in the racing car. He knows when his labours - and he admits it to himself that he e.g. needs vocal coaching - will pay. And he has lots of plans! In the moment he is a 17-year old
impulsive young man that developed from a cheeky boy to a sincerely thoughtful newcomer star but defended his freedom and his spontaneousness like nobody else. He is between boy and man, meanwhile has more become a young man protecting a lot of things of his childhood which doesn´t have to be a disadvantage for him.
Daniel is aware how he can amaze people and makes use of it freely, but he doesn´t lack thoughtfulness in situations where he has to prove himself.
Phase 5: A restless young star
A few weeks after his dismissal Daniel had his first appearances in several TV shows, published his first single "You Drive Me Crazy" and performed, against some resistance, his first solo concerts in his bavarian home country as a thanks for his fans. He has learned a lot, his performances on stage become more professional, early difficulties with the playback are long forgotten. Daniel is somebody who makes the best impression live on stage, who shapes a show and almost lives it. He is mature, his voice is deeper and gains perfection. He now has engagements everywhere, on TV, in interviews, promotion for his meanwhile 2 singles and least to forget, the long stage tour with DSDS*.
Actually you could pity him to be a star, the normal life of a free and easy teenager is over, but this seems the price for success. Sometimes he seems fairly exhausted, hoarse and overworked, but he is a skip-jack who brings the best out of every situation and always is convincing. His meanwhile innumerous fans support him with all might and he thanks it with an album and an open air summer tour which is bursting with emotion, esprit and originality. Daniel not only sings, he lives his notes, which will also be the name of the biography
he is currently working on.** In his concerts Daniel is sometimes like a dervish on stage, sometimes like a heartbraker and sometimes even like a wild cat when he shakes his mane, looks lascivious at the masses and in the next
moment conquers the hearts of the fans with his unique interpretations, causes girls to faint and sings even grown up women out of their minds. Apart from that he is spontaneous, funny interludes spread positive energy and make the concerts an unforgettable event for everybody present. And meanwhile you can´t deny him sex appeal anymore, when he ascends the stage stairs shaking his hips, robs like a panther over the stage floor or lifts his t-shirt deliberately to show his handsome belly. He plays with the audience and they enjoy it.
On stage Daniel seems happy, nobody can say what he feels inside. For he not only gets praise but also receives waves of hate and intolerance. But he stands up, makes his way. "His Way" like it says in the final song of his concerts. And his message leaves uneasiness: A 17-year old wants to bring joy in his own way, wants to make his dreams come true, why are so many obstacles put in his way?
Daniel Küblböck is gifted with a strong and independent personality, entertainer talents and a capability for enthusiasm wich you probably won´t find in any other German newcoming star. He is a treasure which has been found when he turned up at the casting out of nothing.
We wish him that he can make many of his dreams come true, makes steadfastly "his" own way and stays like he is - the crazy original Daniel Küblböck who divides the nation and unites people with his unique aura and his notorious "positive energies".
* German "Pop Idol"
** Daniel's biography "Ich lebe meine Töne" (I live my Sounds) has been released Sept 18th, 2003.
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