Janurary 24, 2025, marked the return of RTL's cult reality show "Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!" (I'm a celebrity – Get me out of here!), known more commonly as Dschungelcamp. This year, among the cast is Anna-Carina Woitschack, the 32-year-old singer who previously gained fame as a contestant on "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (DSDS) and has made waves as a successful Schlager artist.
Woitschack is no stranger to reality TV challenges; she secured victory on RTL's show "Die Verräter – Vertraue Niemandem!" (The Traitors – Trust No One!) back in 2023. Nonetheless, the Dschungelcamp marks new territory for her as she faces not just exotic challenges but also emotional turmoil stemming from her recent personal history.
Brought up by puppeteers with frequent relocations due to their profession, Anna-Carina's childhood was anything but stable. Born on October 28, 1992, she endured over 400 school changes during her early life. She began singing at the age of 12 and launched her career by placing eighth on DSDS's eighth season. Since then, she has released eight studio albums, the most recent titled "Meine Zeit" launched just six months ago. Despite all her achievements, Anna-Carina has revealed this time, entering the Dschungelcamp is particularly nerve-wracking.
One of her greatest fears? "Mein größter Angstgegner ist der Hunger. Ich esse sehr gerne und brauche Essen als Motor für mein Gehirn," Woitschack admitted, underlining the reality of the show’s notorious deprivation. What makes this season particularly poignant is her openness about the recent turmoil from her estranged relationship with ex-husband Stefan Mross — also prominent on the Schlager scene.
After six years of marriage, the couple announced their split in November 2022, entangled in what seems to be a complicated divorce, accompanied by allegations and public drama. Mross’s subsequent relationship with her former best friend, Eva Luginger, only adds to the emotional strain for Woitschack, who has candidly discussed her feelings on the matter. "Ich habe zwei Menschen dadurch verloren," she shared with fellow contestants, shedding tears over the deep sense of betrayal she feels from both personal sides.
The Dschungelcamp format plays heavily on personal revelations and emotional struggles, and Woitschack is no different. The audience was privy to her uncomfortable moments where she struggled with acrophobia during challenges, like the Bungee jump moment, which she was seen participating reluctantly, underscoring the intensity of her entry.
Despite these hurdles, Anna-Carina remains focused on her goal: "Als erste Schlagersängerin will ich die Dschungelkrone in die Schlagerwelt bringen. Ich freue mich wirklich sehr auf dieses spannende Abenteuer," she exclaimed, embodying the determination she's known for. Her new partner, Daniel Böhm, whom she began dating after ending things with Mross, is supporting her from afar, but Anna-Carina is embracing the moment with open arms.
While Woitschack continues to garner audience affection through her vulnerable storytelling, Dschungelcamp's ratings reflect the viewers' captivation; 4 million watched the premiere night, showcasing the show's enduring appeal. The two subsequent episodes also ranked highly among the younger demographics, showcasing how personal stories resonate deeply with the audience.
With the curtain still up on her emotional and reality TV drama, the question looms: Will Anna-Carina Woitschack secure the coveted Dschungel crown? The season still has weeks to go before the final winner emerges, but for now, viewers are left enthralled by her story, filled with longing, betrayal, and the pursuit of victory.