Reality star Sam Dylan is currently making headlines for his repeated failures on RTL's popular reality show "Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!" or "I'm A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here!" During the 18th season of the show, which premiered on January 24, 2025, Dylan has made a name for himself not just for his entertainment value but also for his notable history of quitting challenges.
The season kicked off with the show airing every night at 8:15 PM, with all episodes available on RTL+'s streaming platform. Live coverage of the events has allowed fans to follow along with the contestants’ challenges, disappointments, and triumphs as they vie for the title of "Dschungelkönig" or "Dschungelkönigin" (jungle king or queen) and the accompanying €100,000 prize. For Dylan, this season carries significant expectations, particularly after his previous successes. His participation alongside long-term partner Rafi Rachek and other celebrities adds another layer of intrigue.
Sam Dylan, 33, rose to fame through various reality formats, including "Prince Charming" and "Das Sommerhaus der Stars", where he and Rafi garnered considerable attention and eventually won €50,000. Known for his colorful personality and knack for drama, Dylan claimed pre-show, “I’m the right spice for any show. With me, it’s guaranteed to be exciting.” Yet, as the tests unfolded, his ability to deliver on this promise has come under scrutiny.
From the outset, Dylan faced immense pressure as he has already failed to complete three consecutive challenges by the time the cameras flashed on January 26. On his first task, he had to endure working alongside Alessia Herren, another contestant, during the task named “KFZ-Würgstatt.” This unenviable position forced him to shout amid the chaos, "I’m choking, I’m choking! What are you doing?!" His panic resulted not only from the physical nature of the challenge—being surrounded by rats and insects—but also from the mounting frustrations of fellow contestants. With both participants returning to camp with zero stars, viewers were left wondering if Dylan was truly cut out for this level of competition.
Though viewers might expect resilient appearances from reality stars, Dylan has seemingly struggled when faced with the pressures of the challenges. On the third day, during another trial with the same lack of success, he told the audience, “I see myself here in the third person,” reflecting on his mental state as the tasks continued to pile up. The frustration among his campmates grew, especially from Lilly Becker, who expressed, “He’s making such a show of it, but now is the time to deliver.” Becker’s outcry highlighted the collective dissatisfaction with Dylan's repeated withdrawals.
Colleagues like Maurice Dziwak began to doubt Dylan's commitment as he remarked, "Why is he getting zero stars? I can’t quite understand it," exemplifying the growing impatience among participants.
The nature of reality television often brings contestants face-to-face with not just physical challenges but also emotional ones. Dylan’s off-screen life has also been tumultuous, marked by his on-and-off relationship with Rafi Rachek, which has survived multiple breakups. Their recent reestablishment of their bond seems strained under the spotlight of the jungle, where public performance often coincides with private struggles. Despite the challenges, they maintain their commitment, with Rafi supporting Sam as he attempts to navigate the trials of the jungle.
Alessia Herren, another reality contestant who found herself paired with Dylan for trials, acknowledged the difficulty of their pressure-filled environment. After their mutual failure during the “KFZ-Würgstatt” task, she remarked, "I’m so sorry, Sam. I would have quit right away. This is too harsh for me!" Yet her sympathy did not stop criticism from others, particularly Becker, who continued to express her frustrations through the Dschungeltelefon, the show's confession booth.
With early exits from the challenges shadowing his participation, speculation now revolves around whether Dylan will break the record for the most consecutive failures. Previously set by Leyla Lahouar during the show's 17th season as well, these recent events have set the stage for heightened tensions among fellow contestants.
The psychological impact of repeated failures has sparked public interest. Will Dylan turn things around and manage to complete even one challenge, or is he destined to become the show’s most infamous failure? The questions linger as the drama unfurls between the contestants, drawing viewers ever closer to the action.
It’s clear Dylan is focused on maintaining his screen presence, but his ability to secure fan support and success within the challenges remains uncertain. Only time will tell if his antics can translate to triumph—or if they will cement his place as the next cautionary tale of the jungle.
For fans wanting to follow along, CNN reported on January 27, 2025, the latest episodes continue to air, promising even more surprises and the eternal battle between fame and perseverance within the high-stakes environment of the jungle camp.