So here we go again. On January 19th, RTL is in the anniversary season of “I’m a Star – Get Me Out of Here!” started. It’s been 20 years since the first episode of the show flickered on German TV screens. Now in its 17th season, well-known and lesser-known celebrities are once again taking on the adventure. Twelve candidates are fighting for the jungle crown this year and had to face several tests in the first new episode.
The participants in this year’s edition first went to a yacht, where the group was able to get to know each other briefly over non-alcoholic drinks. Ralf Schumacher’s (48) ex-wife Cora Schumacher (47) was “really keen” and was allowed to attend the meeting between reality star Mike Heiter (31) and his colleague Kim Virginia (28). The TV starlet with a “big snout” and a second home in Miami met a “past flame” from a different format.
Designer Sarah Kern (56) openly admitted that she was moving to the jungle camp because of the money and influencer Twenty4Tim (23) correctly stated that being there on the yacht was just “the calm before the storm”. Also on board were ex-football professional David Odonkor (39), “GZSZ” star Felix von Jascheroff (41), ex-“GNTM” model Anya Elsner (20), No Angels singer Lucy Diakovska (47) and reality TV participant Fabio Knez (30). Actor Heinz Hoenig (72) was already “too much” on the red carpet in front of the yacht and former “The Bachelor” candidate Leyla Lahouar (27) suggested that it might not be easy for the others with her. Her neighbors hate her laughing and she thinks “I annoy people a bit”.
Then we headed towards camp. The celebrities were picked up in helicopters and had to dress up in jungle uniforms. While Schumacher and Hoenig chugged away on a trike, the other celebrities were supposed to hop from other helicopters into a body of water. It worked for everyone, but for Lahour it was dramatic for the first time. “I’m going to die today. On the first day,” she feared – a “death jump” from a height of one meter, as Sonja Zietlow’s (55) co-host Jan Köppen (40) commented.
The candidates had to climb an artificial waterfall on the bank in order to win the famous stars for the first dinner. They were able to secure seven of the stars – only Kern, Elsner and the disqualified Heiter came away empty-handed. Hoenig and Schumacher – she had to sail around in a boat – were also able to win two more stars. Then everyone went to the camp, where Lahouar also announced that she was already feeling “a bit paranoid.”
Is Kim Virginia over Heiter? On the one hand, she wanted to smuggle a condom into the camp, which he commented with “that’s a good idea.” On the other hand, she didn’t clearly say no to Elsner’s question as to whether she still wanted anything from him. “He just messed up a lot,” explained the reality star. A lot needs to be clarified, but: “I still think he’s hot.” And Anya? Odonkor thinks she’s “hot”.
Later, all celebrities had to take part in the first official jungle test. The group correctly suspected that they would be dealing with all sorts of disgusting stuff straight away. And it not only had to go down – it also had to stay down. The menu included dishes typical of the format: pig penis, pureed worms and cockroaches, fish eyes, durian, stinky tofu and other delicacies. Lahouar (fermented bean curd with surströmming) in particular appeared to be shaken after the test. Although she didn’t manage to finish her portion, the disgusting taste in her mouth just wouldn’t go away. Half of the participants successfully met the challenge and so the troop received a total of six out of twelve possible stars.
To kick things off, RTL – also via RTL – showed the first new jungle camp episode in prime time. The second episode will also be shown on Saturday from 8:15 p.m. Twenty4Tim and Kim Virginia will compete in the next test.
