Overview

• Open castings for the new season began on September 16 in Cologne with a streamlined three-judge panel.
• The jury consists of Dieter Bohlen, rapper Bushido and singer Isi Glück for the 2026 broadcast run.
• TV host Frauke Ludowig auditioned with Bohlen’s song Take Me Tonight and received sharp criticism from Bohlen and Bushido, while Glück offered a brief positive note.
• Bushido said joining the show is a great honor and joked in an RTL interview that he has a better stylist than Bohlen, adding that he hopes viewers enjoy the season.
• Isi Glück introduced a ‘Trostpreis-Korb’ containing small items like bracelets and keychains with encouraging messages, added a playful ‘Lappen des Tages,’ and even handed Bohlen a bracelet reading “Du bist perfekt.”