Eric Stehfest in the jungle interview: What was “the key” for him

Even in his second attempt, Eric Stehfest (35) was not able to win the jungle crown. He was voted out of “I’m a Star – Showdown of the Jungle Legends” (latest episode, the following day on linear television on RTL) on day 14 after an immoral offer from Elena Miras (32) and Danni Büchner (46).

This time he was more conciliatory and ambitious than when he first visited the camp two years ago. The 35-year-old got the maximum number of stars in the jungle tests and was considered a strong favorite. His disappointment was clearly visible when he left. But the former “GZSZ” actor can now see the good in his former teammates again, as he revealed in an interview with the news agency spot on news.

Have you come to terms with your end in the jungle?

Eric Stehfest: Yes, totally. I’m flying on my flying cloud and enjoying the view.

But you were surprised that the others threw you out…

Stehfest: I was really surprised to see that some people were able to sit in the corner and chat to people about the nomination between the announcement and the nomination. If you have an announcement that says that if nobody votes for anyone, nobody has to go, only the real legends will make it to the final – why would you vote for someone? I was so scared to talk to anyone because it’s such a sensitive thing to talk about. To make such a big and risky decision, you have to be strong and stay true to yourself. You can’t start sharing your fears with others and making plans. That ultimately sabotages the whole thing.

So it would never have occurred to you to nominate someone yourself?

Stehfest: Not at all. Especially not because it was possible for everyone to move on. That was actually the whole point of it.

Before you left, you called the jungle competitors who voted you out “rats”. How do you feel about that statement today?

Stehfest: I wouldn’t agree with that again, because I’ve now looked back on the whole time. I also had really, really nice moments with Elena and Danni, where I really got to know them. They were completely pure, you didn’t see that in the broadcast. It was really nice and that’s where I learned to appreciate them. During the broadcast I saw that their fear of wasting time in the jungle camp pointlessly, even though they no longer have a chance of winning, was the trigger for them to become angry and rejecting. That makes it easier to eliminate someone who you might even like to some extent.

You also got on well with Gigi Birofio. Have you seen each other again since then, as announced?

Stehfest: We didn’t meet because, as you can see on Gigi’s Instagram account, he’s very busy (laughs). But we wrote and he still loves me. And of course I love him too.

They chose Elena and Georgina for the test. They both suspect that this is because of the luxurious life they lead.

Stehfest: On the subject of luxury living: I’m just not used to it. Everyone spent many hours there talking about where they had a property, where they went on holiday, where they drank champagne. It was all about that kind of thing the whole time. When I treat myself to luxury, I keep it rather under wraps – that’s my way. It was difficult for me sometimes because I don’t have much say in the matter. The last few years have been very stressful for me, with lots of challenges with two children.

Was that your main reason for nominating them?

Stehfest: Both Elena and Danni have often told me that they see themselves in the final with me or that they are looking forward to such a strong final. I knew: “Okay, you are somehow scared of men – but maybe when you fight against a woman you are not as strong as you sometimes claim.” I knew that Georgina is really a power woman. She doesn’t just say that, she follows through. So I thought: “Okay Elena, then compete with the strongest woman.” In the end, that was the strongest duel that could have been achieved.

It became clear in the show that you have worked hard on your self-control. How did you prepare for the jungle camp in that regard?

Stehfest: What does prepared mean? I have been diagnosed with ADHD for six months and I am also taking medication for it. It has changed my life. The bad thing about ADHD is that you think that the way you look at the world and what you feel is normal. But it is not that normal. Especially when it comes to the topic of staying true to yourself and still going out and integrating – you could see that I was incredibly organized inside. I am very proud that I can now see that this really was the key for me to take this path. Although the topic of ADHD is not yet fully accepted in our society and is always dismissed as nonsense, that they are fidgety children who do not want to listen.

Would you say that you were more yourself during your second participation in the jungle?

Stehfest: I was still myself before. Back then, you saw Eric, who struggled with his ADHD and just couldn’t cope with it. But that was just as me and just as honest. That’s why I refused to take the exam back then. But now people have clearly seen the difference and I am now living proof on TV that the subject of ADHD should be taken seriously.

What was the biggest challenge for you in the camp?

Stehfest: If you take “biggest” literally, then it was definitely the brain that I had to eat. It was just so huge and impossible – no other person on earth would have eaten it in that time. It was as big as a Big Mac – which still tastes good, but you can’t even finish that in a minute. The biggest challenge in a metaphorical sense… You can actually imagine the head of someone with ADHD like the jungle camp: lots of voices, one against the other, a back and forth and friendship and then hostility again – nothing is permanent. You can’t really trust. And to experience that constantly on the outside and yet still stay with myself, that was the biggest challenge.

You left the camp with the words: “I was simply a stalwart.” To what extent is your last name a motto for your life?

Stehfest: You can play with that incredibly well. Before you can stand firmly in life, you have to fall down a lot, and that’s what I’ve done. But now I’m standing firm, standing firm for myself and my love. That’s what makes me who I am. The name says it all.