Photography by Per Appelgren and styling by Florian Wings.
Bill wears FULL LOOK Ferragamo JEWELLERY Bill's own.
читать дальшеBill Kaulitz is one of the most famous stars in Germany. His success stems not only from his band, Tokio Hotel, but also from his non-conforming attire and outspoken voice. In an interview, Kaulitz reveals his biggest secret, which is to have no secrets.
At 3 pm sharp, Bill Kaulitz appears on my laptop screen, and our video call starts right on time. He is sitting in a beige sweatshirt in a suite at a luxury hotel in Hamburg; his French bulldog, Alfia, jumps onto his lap. In the background, I can make out a dark red sofa surrounded by black-and-white photographs. No topics were requested in advance for the interview – Bill Kaulitz’s secret to success seems to be that he has no secrets left.
LEFT Bill wears TOP & PANTS & ARM CUFF Alexander McQueen JEWELLERY Bill's own RIGHT Bill wears SUNGLASSES Balenciaga JACKET Prada JEWELLERY Bill's own.
читать дальшеTINA TOTIC: Hi Bill, what are you wearing today?
BILL KAULITZ: I’m sporting a totally slouchy look, our Kaulitz merchandise from McDonald’s. I find it difficult to go out at the moment; I get recognised immediately. When I am out and about with my dog, I try to hide as much as possible.
TT: How do you manage to balance your life as a star with your private life?
BK: At this point, I’ve merged the private Bill and the on-stage Bill. With the podcast and the series, there are barely any boundaries. I find that quite lovely and relaxing because I do not feel like I have to live up to a certain image. I have a job where I can simply be myself – that feels good.
TT: When do you feel like you are the best version of yourself?
BK: On stage and in front of the camera. Yesterday, I had a cover shoot, and I felt incredibly comfortable. But when I go out with Alfia, wearing a cap and glasses, I feel like I’m in disguise. I try to hide and not stand out, which is not really in my nature. Normally, I would be walking around as if I were going on stage.
TT: You are a singer, podcaster, presenter, star of your own reality show, and much more. Which of your jobs challenges you the most?
BK: Singer. The music industry is so fast-paced and constantly changing. To maintain a career with a live audience for 20 years is a huge task, especially in the era of streaming and social media. We are playing at festivals in Germany with Tokio Hotel for the first time now. Even after all these years, it’s extremely exciting – to stand in front of 80,000 people, knowing that not all of them are your fans.
Bill wears JACKET Issey Miyake SWEATER & PANTS & SHOES Bottega Veneta JEWELLERY Bill's own.
читать дальшеTT: You and your twin brother Tom are so different yet so similar. How do you complement each other?
BK: Tom does all the things I can’t be bothered with, like finances and talking to tax advisors or business managers. Our grandad always told him, ‘You need to keep an eye on the money; your mother and Bill can’t handle it.’ He also takes care of the technical side, like setting up and editing the podcast, and he produces our music. I make all creative decisions in front of the camera.
TT: What does that involve?
BK: Everything visual. Every cover, every website, stage design and costumes, videos, and our merchandise. I make the creative decisions, and everyone is glad that I do; they trust me.
TT: What trait of Tom’s would you like to have?
BK: His patience. When something doesn’t work in the studio, he pulls out the manual. I would have given up already; that’s why I can’t play an instrument. Tom loves learning new things. I am terribly impatient, which I really regret. I’d also like to play an instrument; I think the piano is wonderful.
TT: You will turn 35 in September. What is the best thing about getting older?
BK: I love getting older. Tom and I argue about this because he thinks everything about it is awful, but I don’t feel that way at all! I found my teenage years and my twenties incredibly exhausting. The beauty of getting older is that you learn and become more relaxed – in your career and your personal life. Disappointments and heartbreak become easier. I used to think every drama was the end of the world. There is still drama in my life, but less than before. Even though I’m not a calm person, I do get a bit calmer each year.
TT: What has changed for you since Heidi became part of your life?
BK: The family life. Tom and I didn’t know what that was like. We grew up with our mum without any siblings; our family is very small. We were already working and moved out at 15, so we had little time for family. The type of family life that Heidi has with her four children is new to us: at 7.30 pm, everyone sits down to dinner together. We put our phones away and talk about the day.
Bill wears EARCUFF Saint Laurent JACKET Balenciaga DRESS Alexander McQueen PANTS Bottega Veneta BOOTS Balenciaga JEWELLERY Bill's own.
читать дальшеTT: How would you describe your style?
BK: Tom once said about one of my outfits, ‘If I didn’t know you and saw you like that on the street, I’d probably cross to the other side.’ I like to experiment and push boundaries. Sometimes I go completely over the top, and the next moment, I prefer something very elegant and understated. My style is very fluid. Good style is authenticity; you can tell when someone is in disguise. My friend often says that the guy I am dating does not match my style at all, but I like that because it means he is being authentic. I am not going to change anyone to make them a better fit for me.
TT: Who is your current favourite designer?
BK: I think Pharrell is doing a great job at Louis Vuitton right now. I’m obsessed with the country vibes. My all-time hero was Hedi Slimane; his looks for Saint Laurent were a perfect fit for me. As a teenager, I always shopped at Dior because those were the only trousers that fit me.
TT: You have made strong statements with your hairstyles throughout your career. What does your hairstyle mean to you today?
BK: Hair is super important to me, and I love to change mine frequently. It’s like fashion; it keeps me alive and always has to be quite fluid. These transformations often happen quite quickly with me – maybe tomorrow I’ll shave it off. Today, there are so many possibilities with wigs and extensions. We used to use a special hairspray for my huge hairstyle, but it wasn’t available in America. We had to carry suitcases full of it everywhere. It took 90 minutes to tease the hair to the volume I wanted. Wigs would have made it easier, but they were not so common back then.
TT: Looking at photos from the past few years, you never look the same in any of them.
BK: Absolutely, but it is unplanned, just like fashion. I have never thought about where my style should go or held meetings about it. I also rarely work with stylists and mostly do it alone because I enjoy it so much. Even for big shows, I pack several outfits and decide on the day what to wear. Courage and even missteps are part of your own style, and I can live with that.
TT: What advice would you give to 15-year-old Bill, who is about to have his big break?
BK: Have fun, and don’t take everything so seriously. I was incredibly stressed and dramatic back then, didn’t laugh enough, and didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. There was so much pressure and such high expectations, even from myself. I had a huge fear of failure, of being just a one-hit wonder. I would whisper to young Bill: In 20 years, things will still be going well, so relax. There was so much rejection and hate that I always felt like I had to constantly prove to everyone that I was good. As a result, I sometimes forgot to have fun.
TT: What is the best thing about being famous, and what is the worst?
BK: I’ll be honest: The best thing is that you always get special treatment. You never have to wait for a table; you can get any flight and any hotel. You rarely hear the word ‘no’. The worst thing is the lack of privacy. I don’t complain because it’s part of the deal. I’ve lived most of my life in the public eye. I’ve never said ‘no’ to a photo because I know it takes courage to ask, nor have I ever gotten annoyed when someone secretly took a picture of me. Of course, there are limits – and people who cross them.
TT: Do you need certain personality traits to be a star?
BK: Yes, you have to really want this life in the public eye. Filming the reality show was a big challenge for many friends and family members. Some people can’t relax in front of a camera. If you have a lot of insecurities or care too much about what others think, then it’s the wrong job. You need thick skin, confidence, and you have to love it.
TT: In the US, celebrities are celebrated, but Germany seems not to appreciate its own stars as much. Why do you think that is?
BK: Germans like down-to-earth people and stars who seem like girl-or-boy-next-door types. Nothing should be ‘too much’; you’re supposed to stay grounded. In America, it’s the opposite: ‘The sky is the limit.’ Many people in Germany found us too loud and too visual, especially when you consider the hype with the screaming, crying fans outside the concert halls. You also don’t see many child stars here. A singer-songwriter in a baseball cap is seen as preferable to someone who puts on a big show – unless the star is from the US. I feel that people do not want glamorous stars as much in their own country.
TT: I definitely do.
BK: Excellent, so do I.
Bill wears FULL LOOK Ferragamo JEWELLERY Bill's own.
читать дальшеTT: When did you first experience bullying? What was that like for you?
BK: Very, very early on, in primary school. I was wearing girls’ sandals. My mum told me I should not wear them, saying it would only make things harder for me. I was held down, had my hair pulled, and was too afraid to go to the toilet, worried they would lock the door. But I was very street smart and made friends with older kids who looked out for us. Plus, we were quite lucky because there were always two of us.
TT: As a band, you were both loved and hated, and both to extremes. How did you cope with that?
BK: My childhood was a good boot camp for what was to come later. I knew early on how people would react to me, so I was no longer shocked when it happened on a large scale. We isolated ourselves, and we were always surrounded by security personnel. Thankfully, there was no social media back then; everything happened offline. Our lives took place behind closed doors – we snuck in through the back door or the underground car park, in darkened cars. Go in, perform, and get out. The fans were not to catch us, and more importantly, neither were the haters. That’s how we survived. The four of us were like in a cocoon. Going through that with your best friends, your family, and Tom, it really brought us closer. Of course, we had moments of fear, panic, depression, and exhaustion. But we were always able to pull ourselves out of it because our bond with each other provided a strong foundation.
TT: What scars do you still carry from that time?
BK: Oh, I definitely have quite a few. A psychologist would surely have a few things to say about my dating life. I have never had a public relationship and never found a partner who dared to face that. I always pick the wrong men. Additionally, I have a bit of social phobia – especially in large groups, 15-year-old Bill’s fears resurface. I find it difficult to stay calm or speak up in those situations.
TT: What is typically German, and what is very American about you?
BK: My punctuality and precision are totally German. My work ethic – never being late and not complaining – is very German, as is my taste in food. I grew up with German cuisine and love it. I guess I’m quite American in my attitude towards money. Germans tend to be frugal and sensible. I enjoy spending money, driving fancy cars, living in a beautiful house, and going shopping. I believe money should be in circulation and bring joy. Planning and saving are boring to me.
TT: Your show, Kaulitz & Kaulitz, was number one on Netflix in Germany. How did it feel to see the finished show?
BK: It was more emotional than I had expected. It was fascinating to see my friends from a new perspective and discover new sides in them that the camera brought out. And it was intriguing to see myself from an outside perspective. The Oktoberfest was especially significant for me; meeting someone in front of the camera was something I had never done before. Besides, I haven’t had such an intense first meeting in years. Overall, it was a very exciting and emotional time.
TT: Does the way the show portrays you match your self-image, or are there differences?
BK: I watch the show and think it’s perhaps very honest at times, but that’s just who I am. I never felt that anything was edited or portrayed incorrectly. Through the podcast, we’ve learnt that it is best not to have a filter. Secrets and over-edited content make everything worse. You have to go all-in; otherwise, it’s just a promo video for yourself. Pain and disappointment are part of it, and I think it’s important to show that. Many people asked if I’d have preferred to cut the scenes with Marc, but that is part of it. It was authentic, and the cameras were there. We filmed it, and afterwards, I thought, to hell with it, we’ll show it.
TT: Through the podcast and the reality show, your fans feel like they know everything about you, forming a parasocial relationship with you. How does it feel when you now meet strangers who know so much about you and your life?
BK: That’s something I’m still getting used to. Especially since the show came out, I’ve noticed that there are often situations where strangers feel the need to involve themselves in my conversations. For example, I might be having a private conversation with a friend and someone doing my hair or serving coffee chimes in with their opinion. Many people feel the urge to give me advice or share their views, whether they agreed with me or Tom in a discussion, or what kind of man would be right for me. That can be charming at times, but sometimes it’s just a bit much. I try to ignore it. Still, I do notice that people feel like they really are part of my life somehow, which is quite amusing.
TT: Can you share any details about new projects you are currently working on?
BK: We’re currently working on our new primetime show for ProSieben, which will air in the autumn. I’m not sure how much I am allowed to reveal just yet. Additionally, we’re working on new music with the band, though that has been a bit neglected recently. We have tour rehearsals coming up as we’re preparing for our festival show, and we’re getting ready to tour in Latin America. So, there will be a lot of music and rehearsals. And perhaps we will even film a few more things…
TT: What dreams would you still like to fulfil?
BK: I think a beautiful wedding in Venice would be lovely. It would be a dream if it happened with the right partner, but if it doesn’t happen, then I’m fine with that. I wouldn’t marry just for the sake of getting married.
Another dream is to open a restaurant. I enjoy hosting and love good food and cocktails, so I think that’d be great fun. I’m picturing a restaurant with fantastic German cuisine that turns into a bar later at night. I’d offer German dishes like Königsberger Klopse (veal meatballs in a creamy sauce with capers) and delicious bratwurst, so that your mouth waters as soon as you walk through the door.
Bill wears TOP Comme des Garçons CHAIN Alexander McQueen.
читать дальшеCredits:
Photography: Per Appelgren
Styling: Florian Winges
Makeup: Natalie Franz
Hair: Patrick Gorra @Ballsaal Artists
Creative Direction: Hannes Aechter, Saskia Jung
Production: Jule Nötzel, Kaya Wolfinger
Light Assistant: Philipp Pohl
Digital Assistant: Bastian Funk
Styling Assistant: Adrianus Kundert
www.sleek-mag.com/article/bill-kaulitz-the-secr...
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