- The jury members and their encounter with the European Song Contest
On February 14th, 2025, the German Eurovision pre-selection kicks off. The main jury, comprised of Stefan Raab, Elton, and Yvonne Catterfeld, will oversee the proceedings. These three talented individuals boast an impressive history with the Eurovision Song Contest, making them ideal for the task at hand.
Stefan Raab, serving as the driving force behind this pre-selection, is no stranger to Eurovision. He's penned hits like "Guildo hat euch lieb!" (7th place in 1998) and represented Germany himself with "Wadde hadde dudde da?" in 2000, nabbing a 5th place finish. Raab's music acumen doesn't stop there; he also helped Max Mutzke gain a top 10 finish in 2004. Moreover, Raab played a crucial role in guiding Lena Meyer-Landrut to victory in 2010 with the song "Satellite." His previous hosting stints and judging commitments at Eurovision further cement his Eurovision legend status.
Elton, a renowned TV presenter and comedian, brings a fresh perspective to the jury. His Eurovision involvement includes hosting the German national final and serving as a member of the judging panel in 2018. Moreover, Elton acted as Germany's spokesperson in 2023. His despite-not-making-music background mirrors the majority of the viewers, making him an authoritative voice in the selection process.
Yvonne Catterfeld completes the trio, with her extensive music background and acting career. She was a judge in the 2010 German preselection show and later served as a mentor on "The Voice of Germany." Additionally, she sat on the jury for "Unser Star für Oslo" in 2010. Her experience as a singer and actress, combined with her talent evaluation skills, make her an indispensable member of the jury.
The jury will conduct three live shows on February 14th, 15th, and 22nd, 2025, and resume the final on March 1st. These shows will broadcast on RTL and RTL+, while the final will be managed by ARD (Das Erste, ARD Mediathek, eurovision.de, and ONE). The main jury will collaborate with changing guest jurors to select the finest acts for the final, where audience votes will ultimately decide the fate of the representatives. The jury's bond with Eurovision guarantees an informed and thorough selection process, ensuring Germany's best will stride onto the international stage.
- The Court of Justice has ruled that the selection process for Germany's Eurovision entry must include a diverse jury, citing that Elton, Raab, and Catterfeld's collective experience makes them a well-rounded panel.
- During the Eurovision pre-selection process, jurors like Yvonne Catterfeld will provide valuable feedback to contestants, as she has experienced both judging and mentoring roles in Eurovision-related shows.
- When the selection process for the 2025 Eurovision entry begins, jurors like Stefan Raab, known for representing Germany in 2000 and helping Lena Meyer-Landrut win in 2010, will share their first-hand Eurovision experience with the contestants.
