“Do you understand fun?”: Riccardo Simonetti despairs during the shooting

“I always thought I was smarter than Barbara Schöneberger,” laughs Riccardo Simonetti (29) after telling the presenter “Do you understand fun?” fell into the trap. The entertainer was fooled during an (alleged) fashion shoot with star photographer Kristian Schuller (52) in Berlin’s Friedrichstadtpalast, as can be seen next Saturday (February 11, 8:15 p.m.) in the first. Defective pyrotechnics, too much theater fog and, last but not least, the annoying producer Hanna ensure that Riccardo goes from bad to worse on stage – and ends up looking like a drowned poodle.

Above all, his trademark, his long brown hair, has to suffer a lot. “My hair is a kind of tool for me,” explains Simonetti, looking back at the horror shoot with spot on news. At the same time, he positions himself as a potential decoy for Schöneberger.

Dear Riccardo, can you now laugh at this prank?

Riccardo Simonetti: Yes, absolutely! I couldn’t help but laugh at myself at the breakup. Mainly because I always thought I was smarter than Barbara Schöneberger in that respect (laughs). I would have thought I would see right through it. And I never thought she’d be able to trick me, but lo and behold – I’ve been proven wrong.

What was the worst thing about this horror photo shoot for you?

Simonetti: I have to say that in real life, such shootings are often even more annoying than you think. There is always someone there who oversteps the mark – but on this shoot the representative of the magazine was particularly – let’s say – pushy and never accepted a polite but direct “no”.

A wind machine and finally a water fountain destroy your hairstyle again and again. Do you usually have fun when it comes to your hair?

Simonetti: My hair is a kind of tool for me, so I have a certain idea of ​​what it should look like. There are just a few things that I would be so uncomfortable with and that’s why I rule them out straight away. I’ve been photographed since I was 16 years old. I now have a feel for what looks good in a picture and what doesn’t – especially when it’s my own hair.

What would have to happen if you parted with your head of hair?

Simonetti: Whoa… I can’t think of a plausible reason right away. Maybe a film role that should at least get me an Oscar nomination (laughs).

Has it never occurred to you that something can’t be right here?

Simonetti: I found it suspicious that my own team was so absent. Normally my hair & make-up artist Florian Ferino and my manager Tobi Koppenhöfer never leave my side. And the fact that someone else suddenly took care of the wind machine, my manager wasn’t on set to keep an eye on the pictures… That should have been a sign to me.

What went through your head when you suddenly discovered Barbara Schöneberger?

Simonetti: I had always wondered what this strange squid wanted on stage. It didn’t fit as well as many others. But when the mask fell off and it really was Barbara, I couldn’t believe I really fell for something like this. I really always thought I would see through something like that. Of course, I knew very quickly where I ended up when I discovered Barbara.

Are you still mad at Kristian Schuller for taking part in the prank?

Simonetti: No, not at all. I love working with Kristian and unfortunately I trusted him completely that day (laughs)

Would you like to do a real photo shoot with Kristian Schuller?

Simonetti: Kristian had already photographed me in the past. But I think after this action at the latest he owes me the great shooting experience! But a good one please, this time! (laughs).

Could you imagine playing decoy yourself?

Simonetti: I think I would be really good at it. I could definitely imagine tricking someone. Preferably someone who is super cute and professional himself… Sylvie Meis? Or preferably Barbara herself – that would of course be the supreme discipline!