Melissa Naschenweng Overcomes On-Stage Panic During Quiz Show Appearance
Austrian Schlager star Melissa Naschenweng faced unexpected challenges during her appearance on ARD's "Wer weiß denn sowas XXL" on December 30th. The 34-year-old singer fell victim to panic when confronted by snakes and struggled with simple trivia, making the episode unforgettable for both her and the audience.
During the quiz show, hosted by Kai Pflaume, Naschenweng found herself partnered with comedian Elton. Things took a turn when the show presented snake-based questions, and suddenly, the atmosphere turned tense. The host asked, "Which statement about rattlesnakes is true? A) Females can store fertilizing sperm for up to five years. B) Males have rattles audible from up to 150 meters away. or C) Babies are born without functional venom glands?"
To add drama, the production team wheeled out actual rattlesnakes on set. Naschenweng’s reaction was immediate and visceral. She shouted, "No, please" and exclaimed, "Wah, wah! I can’t!" Her fear was palpable and left the audience stunned. Earlier, she had even admitted to having anticipated such animal-related stunts, saying, "I watched from above and thought: If there’s a snake, I’m leaving."
This fear of snakes stems from earlier childhood trauma as she recalled, “For my tenth birthday, my parents took me to a reptile zoo, thinking it would be fun. But when I entered and saw all the snakes, I just started crying. We had to go home right after.” Over the years, she’s developed such anxiety around snakes she once missed school because one blocked her path.
While her panicked moment captivated viewers, Naschenweng’s challenges on the show didn’t stop there. She also fumbled on simpler trivia questions. Struggling during the all-important 60-second round of the quiz, she could only answer two questions correctly. One of the questions, which involved naming the capital of Slovakia, left her speechless. "Bratislava is the capital of which country?" Pflaume asked, leading to total silence on her end. To make matters worse, she incorrectly guessed Pac-Man's color, saying it was blue instead of yellow, and also failed to identify the trendy Dubai chocolate snack.
At the end of her segment, Naschenweng seemed to sum up her experience with humor, saying, "I wish all the smart men good luck," referring to the other contestants who performed significantly well. Despite the experience being one she’d prefer to forget, she has expressed determination to do well next time.
"It was really embarrassing. I wish I’d known more. I need to brush up on my trivia!" she stated post-show, showing resilience and hope for future quiz chances. This episode added to the intrigue surrounding Naschenweng, who has significantly increased her profile since rising to fame. She is often compared to another star, Helene Fischer, which adds to the pressure she faces both on and off the stage.
Behind the camera, Naschenweng continues to draw attention beyond her musical performances. Social media is rife with speculation about her personal life and relationship with fellow musician Toni Gabalier. Recently, her fans even speculated about engagement after noticing a ring on her left hand, leading to increased curiosity about her private resolutions concerning family and marriage.
"I wanted to be married by 25 and have three kids, but life doesn’t always follow the script you set for it," Naschenweng commented previously.
Though she expresses aspirations for family, she also acknowledges the importance of taking her time, stating, "Success is one thing, but family is really what matters the most. Everything else pales compared to the bonds we share." Her current focus remains on her rising career, alluded to as her "baby," referring to her latest album.
The remarkable blend of panic and vulnerability Melissa Naschenweng displayed on "Wer weiß denn sowas XXL" has undoubtedly endeared her to the public, showing both her star power and her human side. Fans eagerly await her next appearance—whether it’s on the stage or television—as they root for her growth both professionally and personally.
Despite the embarrassment, it's clear this moment of shock will only add to her engaging story as she continues to navigate her rising star within the competitive music industry.