Thanks to his music, a children's book, various show appearances and his new role as a guest on “Holiday on Ice”, things haven't gotten boring for Sascha Schmitz alias Sasha in the current year and probably won't be boring in the coming one either. In an interview with ntv.de, he reveals how he was fascinated by the ice skating event as a child, why he misses the big entertainment shows and how he understands his role as a “modern clown”.
ntv.de: Your first appearance on “Holiday on Ice” is behind you. So how does it feel to be part of “Holiday on Ice”, a real revue dinosaur?
Sasha: I did some research in advance because “Holiday on Ice” is such a clear thing from my childhood for me. I've known this name for ages, somehow it was always present. I hadn't seen a live show yet, but it used to be on TV a lot. As a child, I remember sitting in front of the television with my grandmother and seeing small ice surfaces with impressive tricks. That was fascinating!
Did you learn a lot of new things about it through your participation?
Yes, for example, the fact that “Holiday on Ice” has been around for so long – almost 100 years – is really impressive. Now I know why: there is so much experience and passion behind the show. It's like Cirque du Soleil, only on an ice surface, which increases the risk for the artists. The ice skaters, choreographers and technicians are passionate about what they do and you can feel it straight away. I don't have much to do with it myself, I perform twice per show and sing two of my songs. Still, it's a great honor to be part of something so big. You might think that after so many years the topics would eventually run out, but I don't have that feeling. The stories can be told again and again.
This year's show is titled “Horizons.” What exactly is it about?
It's about urban life and city atmospheres, which is very different from the past shows. Just when the boss talks about what the topic is this time, you immediately feel enthusiasm. The concept is creative and one looks forward to seeing how they execute it.
Dortmund will certainly be a highlight of the tour for you. Does it feel like coming home when you're there again?
Dortmund is always something special for me. I lived there for almost 15 years and it was an incredibly formative time for me. It was the time when I started my career with bands, and although I often had money worries, I was happy back then. It was this carefree, free-swimming time in which you put together your own worldview. Dortmund has so much nostalgia for me because I experienced everything there – from the clubs to the cobbled streets. That's why I'm particularly pleased that I'm now performing with “Holiday on Ice” in Dortmund. It really is a bit like coming home and it really means a lot to me.
And you're also a BVB fan?!
Absolutely! I used to go to the stadium often, but that has lessened since Corona and the birth of my son. With a small child, priorities simply shift. But I'm already looking forward to the time when my son is old enough to come to the stadium with me. At the moment the attention span is not enough for two 45 minutes of football. But if it works at some point, it will be a big moment for both of us. Then I'll take him with me and hopefully I can infect him a little bit with the enthusiasm for BVB. It's one of those things that I really miss and will come back when the time is right.
In an interview with ntv.de you already talked about your preference for showmasters like Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff and great entertainment. Do you think it's important to have shows like this, especially in this day and age?
The big shows and entertainers of the past always had something special: They brought warmth and joy into the living room, no matter how difficult the times were. This type of entertainment, as previously created by showmasters such as Peter Frankenfeld or later Thomas Gottschalk, has become rarer today. It was a communal experience for the whole family, where you could just relax and unwind. That's exactly what we need again today – perhaps even more than ever.
Because the world situation is more critical than ever?
Exactly. News and social media bombard us non-stop with negative things: wars, crises, fears. That puts a strain on you and drags you down. Of course you have to face reality, but I see it as my job – as an entertainer, as a modern clown – to give people a break for a few hours. You should be able to take a deep breath and just feel good. The great thing about “Holiday on Ice” and other big shows is that they provide entertainment for everyone, from children to grandparents. This has become rare these days when everyone is stuck in front of their own screen. The whole family used to sit in front of “Wetten, dass…?” and enjoyed the show together. Live events like “Holiday on Ice” create exactly these kinds of moments – and I’m proud to be part of them.
How do you see this personally – especially as a father? Has your view of the world changed?
It's really not easy to stay optimistic these days. The world situation makes it difficult, and of course you feel that as a parent too. My wife and I are very careful to protect our son from all the negative things for as long as possible. We try to allow him to remain a child without constantly being confronted with bad news. If the news is on in our house and he's watching, we switch or turn it off. Fortunately, our son has not developed any fears or worries so far, as is unfortunately the case with many other children. I think we managed that quite well. It's enough that the seriousness of life comes at some point when you're 12 or 13 – early enough. Until then he should just grow up happy.
Does it sometimes feel like work to stay positive?
Of course it's difficult for me personally too. I'm neither particularly smart nor stupid – I'm somewhere in the middle. This is the worst because you understand enough to see the problems, but you don't always know how to change them. (laughs) You just have to be careful not to let yourself get dragged down. It is important to keep your head up and consciously distance yourself from time to time.
What was the highlight for you in the year that is about to end?
My show highlight of the year was definitely the “Udo Jürgens Forever” show (on December 23rd on ARD – editor’s note). It was just a special evening: my family was there, Jenny and John, even two grandchildren. Michelle Hunziker and I moderated, and it worked incredibly well. Of course I was extremely nervous at the beginning. I knew this could be my big chance. It's been my dream to do a show like this for decades, but now it really came true – and I had to deliver. At the beginning I was in a state of shock, but little by little I loosened up, especially thanks to Michelle, who is a real banker. At some point everything worked itself out and I was able to really enjoy it. It was just a lot of fun. I really got into it. Oh, and now I'll be taking my first ice skating lesson soon – maybe in Leipzig or Dortmund. Let's see how that goes!
How will you spend Christmas and New Year's Eve?
Christmas with us is always pure family madness. We invite my wife's entire family to our house – that's 28 people in total, including babies. My wife has three sisters, each of whom comes with a partner, children and some even grandchildren. Of course it's a bit tiring in advance, but it's always really nice in the end. It's a mix of “Home Alone” and the Griswolds, with lots of decoration, hustle and bustle and still contemplation. Despite the many people, you have the feeling that you are in the right place at the right time because everyone just wants to relax. This is Christmas for us. After the holidays we go to the mountains with friends and children to celebrate New Year's Eve. Classic, snowy, cozy – simply perfect.
Do you have any resolutions for the New Year?
I don't do that anymore because something usually comes up and then you just get annoyed. I think the more resolutions you make and then don't keep, the more upset you become. Then you make resolutions again, and at some point they pile up until you think: Oh, don't do it. Giving up may not be the right word, but you should approach it realistically. (laughs) I've basically already implemented what I set out to do this year: spend more time with my son. He starts school next year and I want to make the most of the time before then. Last year my schedule was hectic, and the pain of saying goodbye was often great. I love my job, but there were many times when I would have preferred to stay at home. That's why I'm deliberately taking the first three months of the new year off to spend time with my son. Now I can do more with him, even as a daddy. By the time school starts, everything is regulated, and then you can no longer just do whatever you want. That's my only resolution – and it feels exactly right.
Nicole Ankelmann spoke to Sasha
“Holiday on Ice” with Sasha as a guest is still on January 3rd. in Munich, on January 8th in Frankfurt am Main and on January 17th. to be seen in Dortmund. You can find all other dates here.
