Christina Stürmer: The starting signal for a great career

Twenty years ago, on February 21, 2003, the Prangl inn in Altenberg near Linz was packed to capacity. People also gathered at the town square to keep their fingers crossed for “their” star. Because here the finale of Starmania was shown on screens – and Christina Stürmer, a native of Altenberg, was one of three finalists. The mood in town was overwhelming, said her mother.

Each participant received only 20 tickets for the final show. So many had to watch from home. The parents of the former bookseller did not miss the final in Vienna. Christl’s former colleagues from her band “Scotty” watched the show together in Gallneukirchen. Striker said in the OÖN interview before the final: “I never have stage fright, and now I don’t think anything anyway, because I’ve reached my goal, I’m in the final.”

Donut with a picture of Christina Stürmer

Altenberg’s Mayor Ferdinand Kaineder was certain that the “best-known community citizen” would be at the top of the podium. The preparations for a big reception of the Starmania singer were already under way before the finale. During the broadcast, not only mulled wine was distributed, but also donuts with a marzipan picture of “Christl”. During the performances of the then 20-year-olds, there was even a ban on serving drinks – so that the waitresses could join in the excitement.

The disappointment was all the greater when the Altenberger Starmania star was “only” second. “For us, she’s still the winner, just because she made it this far,” said a girl to the OÖN. The local chief also said: “That was a top performance.” At the striker couple there was no sign of disappointment, they were proud of their daughter Christina: “Secretly we are even glad that she didn’t win: now we see her more often again,” they said with a laugh.

A great career for the runner-up

From the first round, Christina Stürmer sang her way into the hearts of the Starmania viewers – she received the most votes in all ten final rounds. She was only defeated in the decisive last voting – and Michael Tschuggnall became the winner of Starmania. “It hurts a bit,” she said in a press conference the day after the final. But she begrudge Tschuggnall the victory.

Back then, Stürmer’s band colleague Christian Glocker knew that nothing stood in the way of a great career: “It’s probably irrelevant who wins tonight. Each of the finalists now has the chance to take advantage of the popularity and that’s where strength of character comes in on,” he said in an interview. Stürmer did it: Just under a month after the end of the casting show, her first song “I live” was released, which was number 1 in the Austrian charts for weeks. Today, twenty years later, Christina Stürmer is still successful.

Christina Stürmer sang these songs in the Starmania finale

“Fire” by the Pointer Sisters mixed with “Feia” by Ostbahn Kurti:

“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer:

“Enough is Enough” sang Christina Stürmer and Michael Tschuggnall as a duet:

The singer chose “Ein Compliment” from Sportfreunde Stiller because that was the direction in which she saw her musical future. “Now this is the test to see if you like it,” said striker about her choice at the time.