Cosimo Citiolo has firmly established himself as one of the most prominent figures in the German reality TV landscape. Originally gaining fame through his participation in "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (DSDS), his journey has taken him through numerous other formats. From his beginnings on DSDS to his appearances in the "Dschungelcamp" and various series, Cosimo has continually reinvented himself.
Born in Italy in 1984, Cosimo later moved to Germany, where his Italian heritage has played a significant role in his public persona. Known for his passionate nature and strong connection to his roots, he showed an early interest in music and acting, which led him to audition for the casting show "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" in 2007. While he did not achieve remarkable success in the competition, it marked the start of a noteworthy career in reality television.
After DSDS, Cosimo did not fade from the media spotlight. Instead, he participated in several other formats, including the well-known "Dschungelcamp" ("I'm a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here!") in 2022, where he captured attention with his authentic and sometimes chaotic demeanor, generating headlines frequently. His participation in the Dschungelcamp reinforced his image as a "real guy" unafraid to voice his opinions and create drama.
In addition to his reality TV appearances, Cosimo has also been featured in various TV series. Although he did not become known as an actor, he secured several minor roles and guest appearances that helped boost his popularity and maintain his media presence. Cosimo has cemented his status as a TV personality, regularly being a welcome guest on screens both large and small.
On the personal front, Cosimo has never shied away from public scrutiny. He gained particular attention for his relationship with Nathalie Gaus, whom he met in a disco. A trained beautician, Nathalie has been by his side during his various reality TV stints. Their relationship has not been without its scandals, but they have consistently emphasized the importance of their time together and their privacy. As of late 2023, the couple is officially engaged.
Financially, like many reality TV stars, Cosimo has faced public challenges. Speculation about his financial difficulties and even his "bankruptcy" has circulated in the media. Despite these setbacks, he has continued his career, successfully positioning himself as an entrepreneur and influencer. In the Dschungelcamp, he revealed his dependency on reality TV formats due to his insolvency: "But one thing has really occupied me until now: this damn bankruptcy. So I always have to hope that another format comes along and I can earn money again. That's why I'm in a phase where I'm dependent on reality formats!"
In 2025, Cosimo Citiolo will return to TV in the third season of "Promis unter Palmen," a format airing on Sat.1 that has been revived after a hiatus. Whether he will shine in this new setting remains to be seen.
The finale of "Promis unter Palmen" 2025, which aired on Sat.1 on April 7, 2025, was a rollercoaster of emotions and featured a surprise that no one saw coming. Fans could stream the episode on Joyn before its television broadcast. In the final showdown, participants Christo, Melody, Lisha, and Cosimo faced one last challenge. Menowin and Nikola were eliminated in the first final game, leaving the remaining stars to battle for victory.
In a thrilling neck-and-neck race, Cosimo proved not to be underestimated, securing first place with a lead of only 20 seconds over Melody and Christo. "I'm not as dumb as everyone thinks," he remarked after his victory. This win earned him the coveted golden coconut and a prize of €44,200.
The finale was not just about the competition; it was also a stage for drama and intrigue. Before the final decision, eliminated contestants returned to the villa, stirring up excitement. Cosimo was less than pleased with their return, stating, "When they were gone, the mood was good, and now they come back and bring shitty vibes with them." The return of former participants led to tensions and heated discussions, further intensifying the already nerve-wracking atmosphere.
"Promis unter Palmen – Für Geld mache ich alles!" returned after almost four years, with season 2 having been canceled in 2021 following the sudden death of participant Willi Herren. The winner of the show receives the golden coconut and a cash prize of up to €50,000. The eight new episodes of "Promis unter Palmen" have been airing every Monday at prime time on Sat.1 since February 17, 2025, and are also available for streaming on Joyn. The episodes are uploaded one week before their television broadcast.
The twelve initial participants of the new season included Chico, Chris Manazidis, Cosimo Citiolo, Claudia Obert, Eike Immel, Iris Klein, Janina Youssefian, Kim Virginia Hartung, Lisha Savage, Melody Haase, Menowin Fröhlich, and Nikola Glumac. Notably, Kim Virginia Hartung and Nikola Glumac have been engaged since the end of December 2024, although the third season was recorded prior to this announcement.
Following each episode of "Promis unter Palmen," viewers can catch "Promis unter Palmen – Die Late Night Show" on Sat.1 and Joyn, where host Jochen Bendel discusses the latest events with various guests.
