Germany starts the search for its star for Baku

Published June 24, 2011

Details of the German selection for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest have been released by NDR with some changes to this successful format.

Das Erste, ProSieben and the Popwellen and youth radios of ARD are to continue their successful cooperation in choosing Germany’s Eurovision Song Contest entry. After Unser Star für Oslo and Unser Song für Deutschland in 2010 and 2011 respectively, a new song and artist will be found in the spring of 2012 using a similar format.

The successful candidate will represent Germany at the 2012 edition of Europe’s TV show in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This selection process will be produced by production company Brainpool.

A change to next year’s competition is the appointment of one of Germany’s most successful artists, Thomas D, as the Jury Foreman. With his band, Die Fantastischen Vier and as a solo artist he has received many awards including the prestigious Echo five times.

Like his predecessor, Stefan Raab, the 42 year old entertainer will lead the jury, giving expert opinions of all the candidates and will also be the responsible music producer.

Stefan Raab said, “I’m very happy to hand over the jury leadership to to Thomas D. He brings everything that is needed in this role: entertainer qualities, eloquence, charm and of course a lot of musical experience. I’m sure that the young artists in the show will entrust themselves to him. He is also better looking than me!”

Thomas D said about his appointment, “I’ve always wanted to be a president! Being part of this massive musical project is a fantastic task, which I am so excited about and which I take very seriously. I’m also better looking than Stefan Raab!”

Candidates for Unser Star für Baku can now register for casting sessions, which will take place in the city of Köln ahead of the competition, which will be broadcast on Das Erste and ProSieben.

Stefan Raab received high acclaim for his role in the German selection process during the last two years, where he oversaw Lena’s victory with Satellite in Oslo in 2010 and her top ten placing with Taken By A Stranger in Düsseldorf, just over a month ago.

Now he is handing over the reigns to Thomas D, who hopes to achieve a similar success in Baku in May 2012.

Eurovision.tv