Bambi is back! After a three-year Corona break, the famous gold deer were finally awarded again on Thursday evening. Of course, the gala guests who had already shone on the red carpet are also famous.
The evening was led by moderators Nazan Eckes (47) and Giovanni Zarrella (45), who first welcomed the mega stars to the tables: actor Mads Mikkelsen (57) and top model Irina Shayk (37) had arrived as international celebrities. Eckes was particularly happy about Mikkelsen, as she confessed: “My secret crush (German: Schwarm). Can I say that now?”
Basketball coach dismantles microphone
A lovely couple: football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger (39) and his wife Ana Ivanović (36) gave the laudatory speech together in the “Sport” category. Ana bravely fought her way through the German words – Bastian confessed mischievously: “We practiced the word ‘felte’ very often.”
World champion trainer Gordon Herbert
The Bambi went to the national basketball team, which – completely surprisingly – brought the World Cup title to Germany this year. National coach Gordon Herbert (64) accepted the award, but was visibly overwhelmed with the microphone stand. Suddenly he held part of the microphone in his hand and looked desperately into the audience: “I’m not that technically savvy, I’m sorry.”
Singer Ayliva (25) also lost the battle against the microphone stand. When she accepted her audience’s Bambi as “Most Successful Artist of the Year,” she called to laudator Wincent Weiss (30) to help: “Well, that’s enough for me now. Can you help me, Wincent?”
Standing ovation for Navalny
Entertainment became a minor matter when it came to the next topic: The Bambi in the “Courage” category went to the Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny (47). The laudator and EU President Ursula von der Leyen (65) honored the human rights activist, who is still being held in a Russian prison camp, with passionate words: “What courage Navalny shows every day! He tirelessly advocates for democracy, for freedom, for human rights.”
Von der Leyen called for solidarity with the freedom fighter: “We have to carry his message to the world until he can hopefully do it himself again.” Navalny’s wife Julia (47) arrived with their son to receive Bambi as a representative. There was a standing ovation for her words:
Navalny’s wife Julia (left) accepted the award, and EU President Ursula von der Leyen was the laudator
“He is a victim, a victim of the truth. I stand here before you to remind you that not only my husband, but hundreds of thousands of people are in prison in Russia. Because they criticize Vladimir Putin.” Their appeal: “Freedom for Alexei Navalny and freedom for all other political prisoners!”
Tears from Giovanni Zarrella
He didn’t know anything about this Bambi: Presenter Giovanni Zarrella was suddenly surprised with a clip about his life and career. The singer shed tears when colleague Nazan presented him with a surprise Bambi in the “Entertainment” category. Eckes wrapped him in her arms: “I have never in my life enjoyed handing over a prize as much as I did to you. Stop crying, otherwise I’ll have to cry too!”
Zarrella was touched and thanked his wife Jana Ina (46), who always stood by him in difficult times: “My wife was always my biggest fan and my biggest support.”
The actors Senta Berger, Simon Verhoeven (left) and Florian David Fitz with their Bambis
Acting legend Senta Berger (82) also reacted with a telltale glint in her eyes: She received the Bambi for her life’s work from presenter Palina Rojinski (38). Felix Kämmerer (28) was happy to receive a Bambi as a “National Actor” for “Nothing New in the West”, Karoline Herfurth (39) received the award for her role in “Just Something Beautiful”.
Actor Florian David Fitz (48) accepted the Bambi award for the film “Oskar’s Dress” with his colleagues – but then had to fiddle with his outfit because his shirt was tucked into his underpants, which were now hanging over his waistband: “These are them glamorous moments in an actor’s life…”
Peter Maffay finally becomes a legend
Of course, Blödelbarde Otto Waalkes (75) was glamorous as always. He presented Peter Maffay (74) with the Bambi award as a “legend” – not without rewriting one of his hits in typical Otto style. First Otto yodeled, then he trilled the Hansel and Gretel version of “Over Seven Bridges”: “He has to walk on seven crutches.”
Peter Maffay rocked the stage with a hit medley
Maffay then performed a medley of his greatest hits and thanked us with serious words: “There is a shadow on all of our humanity. Our empathy must go to peace-loving people. Because every single person in this world has the same right: to be respected and respected.”
Other award winners
▶ Mads Mikkelsen dedicated his Bambi to a new family member: “This is my daughter’s favorite film. And she just gave me a granddaughter! It will be dedicated to Maria, my little granddaughter.”
▶ The Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson (25) received the Bambi in the “International Music” category.
▶ For the wildlife biologists Barbara and Christoph Promberger there was the environmental Bambi “Our Earth”. The two had a final message for laudator Markus Söder (56): “Mr. Prime Minister, if you create a few national parks in Bavaria, then you’ll get a Bambi too.”
