Deutsche Welle: A year ago, you were an unknown young singer from Germany, and now you're a Eurovision star. Has it been a good thing or a bad thing to hit the big time?

Lena Meyer-Landrut: I don't know yet - I just can't say. This year, there are a lot of familiar faces on stage at Eurovision, but there are also a lot of newcomers, like Blue from the UK. I'm just going to have to see what happens. I haven't had a chance yet to discover what kind of effects it will have - whether it's good or bad that people already know who I am once I'm on stage.

How does it feel to share a stage with acts that you listened to yourself as a teenager, like Dana International or Blue?

I haven't met Dana International yet, but I'd really love to. I'm a huge fan of "Viva La Diva," and we always play it at home. I have gotten a chance to meet Blue. We got along really well, and they're very nice. And of course that was really exciting because I loved them when I was younger - I thought they were so cool.

You graduated from high school a year ago. If you would have had time to continue studying, what would you have done?

I think I would have studied something in a creative direction - theater or art or something like that. Or I could also see myself doing something with languages. I'm a big fan of foreign languages, linguistics and language education.



Is that part of why you sing in English? Is German not really your thing?

Oh, German is definitely my thing, but I think that English is easier in terms of transferring a message that more people can understand.

We've talked about some of the more established competitors you'll go up against. What about the younger people like Vorobjov from Russia or Jedward from Ireland?

I think the Russian entry is great. I really like his shoes, actually - they stood out to me. And I think it's good that so many young people are taking part this year because a new generation has to follow the old. It's often the case that older acts create good music, but the younger people bring more innovative and new music to the table. That's a very good thing.

I imagine the last year has been great for you. What do you think the next year after Dusseldorf holds for you?

First of all, I'm planning some time off for vacation because I've been so busy for the last year and a half. I want to tune out and relax for a while and not think so much about everything that's happened. I also definitely do want to get started on studying something. But I also won't stop making music - I just won't do it so fast and intensely after this.

Interview: Andreas Brenner / gsw
Editor: Kate Bowen