For four years, the reality format "Queer Eye" has been hugely successful on Netflix.
In each episode, the five queer protagonists visit someone who could use a little help, and then transform their life from styling to home furnishings to self-confidence in the space of a week.
Now there is the first international offshoot with "Queer Eye Germany".
The German "Fab Five" also includes YouTuber Aljosha Muttardi, who is responsible for the health sector as a doctor and nutritionist, and Ayan Yuruk, founder of a design agency, who is responsible for sprucing up the interior design.
Mr. Muttardi, Mr. Yuruk, how did you become part of the "Fab Five" at "Queer Eye Germany"?
Yuruk:
Because of my design expertise and my agency, I got a call from the production company and asked if I was interested in doing it.
I then had a brief moment of hesitation, because the agency is successful, everything is going well there.
Being on a show like this can be a risk, and I wasn't sure how I might be labeled.
But during the casting, my worries quickly vanished.
Muttardi:
We were in the first team right away, remember?
Yuruk:
Sure, and the energy was there right away.
Muttardi:
I wasn't doing so well when I received an email request for the project.
But the production liked what I do online.
That sounded great to me right off the bat and like someone was trying to signal me.
I had more doubts as to whether I would really be accepted after the casting.
But what exactly was so appealing about this project?
Muttardi:
As someone who was afraid of cameras not so long ago, it was just crazy for me to be asked to do a project like this.
Apart from that, the show – that is, the US original – has also played a major role in my life.
And it's just nice to be able to be the person for other people that you needed as a child.
Yuruk:
I'm with you there. I think it's great to be able to act as a role model.
With that comes a certain amount of responsibility. Doesn't that inspire a lot of respect?
Muttardi:
It's definitely not the right way to approach things with stress every day.
You have to develop a certain level of relaxation.
I've been working in public for four years now and at least I know the feeling of having a certain platform, even if "Queer Eye" is of course a lot bigger now.
You have to at least be aware of your own responsibility and know that what you do or say publicly has consequences.
But also positive!
You really get a lot out of it.
You don't have to be afraid of doing something wrong every day.
After all, we are only human and make mistakes.
How quickly did you actually get together as a group – and did you feel comfortable in front of the cameras?
Yuruk:
We quickly forgot about the cameras on the first day.
We were bubbling over with energy and throwing in a bit of glitter.
Muttardi:
As a group, we got along well right away and immediately built up the trust that we really want to work together and be there for one another.
That quickly took the pressure off the situation.
That doesn't mean I wasn't very excited at first.
But that passed very quickly.
They also had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Berk, the interior designer of the US original, while in Mallorca. Did he give you any useful advice?
Yuruk:
I really got a lot of tips from Bobby, not the least of which is how I can manage to work less in the one week we're shooting an episode.
Because I'm really working my ass off there.
But most of all it was a very nice exchange about all the experiences he had from season to season.
Of course we are all very excited to see what will change for us after the broadcast and how the reactions will turn out.
With the reports of his experiences, he has at least largely taken away my fears.