Overview

• The Leipzig gala named Barbara Schöneberger (entertainment), Michael Patrick Kelly (music), Nora Tschirner (acting) and biathlete Franziska Preuß (sport) among the audience winners.
• Jury honors went to Sarah Connor for music, Till Reiners for comedy and Katrin Sass for her life’s work, with the DLRG Berlin recognized as “heroes of everyday life.”
• The charity Henne went to Kinderklinikkonzerte e. V., which also received €25,000 to support live music for children in hospitals.
• Unheilig marked a high‑profile return as singer Der Graf delivered an emotional comeback performance nine years after his last appearance.
• On stage, a light-hearted exchange about Helene Fischer’s newborn drew laughs, and a separate clip showed Kai Pflaume guiding a spectator to her seat behind the scenes.