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Dueling duo

May 27, 2011

They are the newest pop sensations storming German charts after a string of successful television appearances: Pietro Lombardi and his girlfriend Sarah Engels are riding high on the charts - with the same song.

https://p.dw.com/p/RPgw
Singer Sarah Engels
Engels finished second in the current series of DSDSImage: picture alliance/dpa

They came on the scene by way of Germany's premiere music TV casting show, "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" ("Germany’s Looking for a Superstar"). At the end of the current season, Lombardi was crowned victor with his girlfriend Engels coming in just behind him in second place.

As part of their last performances in the TV grand finale, the teen hopefuls had to sing a Dieter Bohlen composition, "Call my Name." Both versions were released as singles at the end of the season. Lombardi's version just edged ahead of Engels' with around 125,000 official downloads within 24 hours of the end of the show. His take on the song rocketed to the top of the charts - the first German single to debut on the Top 100 in pole position this year - while Engels' version took the Number 2 spot.

But could going head to head in the career stakes while trying to maintain a relationship in the spotlight add too much pressure to their relationship? 18-year-old Sarah Engels thinks not.

DW: Was it a good idea to go head to head with your boyfriend in the same TV show?

Sarah Engels: It was the best final I could ever have imagined actually. We were allowed to sing a duet, which was really romantic. It was all just wonderful. And when the results of the vote came in in Pietro's favour of course I was happy for him. I will find my own way in the music business. So in fact, I didn't lose anything even though I didn't win.

And how is your relationship with Pietro right now?

So far, so good. And I'm convinced it will continue to be so. Our schedules now don't allow us to see each other so often, but when we do and when we have the chance to work together, then it's absolutely lovely. I don't think either of us ever expected that to happen.

Sarah Engels and Pietro Lombardi
Both triumphed in DSDS and both hit the upper echelons of the German Top 100Image: picture alliance/dpa

Has your life become more stressful since your appearance in Deutschland sucht den Superstar? Are you more of a private person or a stage person?

Well to be up there on the stage was always my dream, and it still is. Of course it's stressful, but it's a nice stress in a way - different from the stress you would get in school for example. When you get the chance to do the job you've always dreamed of then it can't be anything other than wonderful.

What do you think coming in second place in the show means for your music career?

I don't know. I can only do my best and try to sing as good as I can to try and move people with my music. I want to open myself up more so that people get to know me better. Then the only question that remains is, do the people want me? That decision is out of my hands I'm afraid.

Where and how often do you sing?

All the time! Except when I sleep I imagine. Even when I'm brushing my teeth, I'll be humming a song to myself. Then, of course, the classic: I sing in the shower. I sing when I'm doing my make-up. I always have music on whether it be on my mp3 player or blasting out of the stereo in my room. I really think that you can't live without music.

Interview: Gavin Blackburn (ots)
Editor: Rick Fulker