Is it a "curse or blessing" to be the child of a prominent parent? This is the question explored by the new ProSieben documentary series "Born Famous" (Thursday, 8:15 PM, also on Joyn). For Gloria-Sophie Burkandt (27), it is "both a curse and blessing", as she explains in the first episode. The eldest daughter of Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder (59, CSU) wants to make a name for herself as a model and author - and no longer be perceived merely as "daughter of".
During a camera-accompanied visit to Munich's Oktoberfest, Gloria-Sophie's dilemma becomes particularly apparent. On the one hand, she wants to be perceived as "her own individual", on the other hand, she seeks closeness to her father. But Markus Söder is surrounded by camera teams and people and barely notices his daughter in the crowd. Gloria-Sophie is left disappointed on the sidelines.
"Born Famous" also accompanies Gloria-Sophie to her adopted home of New York, where she is under contract with a major modeling agency. There, even among die-hard political experts, hardly anyone is likely to know who Markus Söder is.
Sarah Connor Encourages and Restrains Daughter Summer
Summer Terenzi (20) is musically active like her parents Sarah Connor (46) and Marc Terenzi (48). She openly admits that her prominent origins give her an "advantage". Now she wants to follow in her mother's footsteps and "release her own songs". Ideally, these should also be played "outside of Germany", according to the 20-year-old.
Summer performs in the opening act at one of her mother's concerts. At the conclusion of Sarah Connor's show, both stand on stage together and sing "Lady Marmalade". Connor, who also has her say in the documentary series, encourages her daughter's musical ambitions - but also restrains her at the same time.
From her own experience, Sarah Connor cautions her daughter not to become too euphoric and to ground herself again and again after performances. Summer was born with a congenital heart defect that was operated on shortly after her birth. She also reports tics that can intensify under pressure. Added to this is the difficult relationship with her father. Marc Terenzi hardly shows any interest in her, say mother and daughter. He neither contacts her for birthdays nor attends parent-teacher conferences. In "Born Famous" too, the singer remains absent.
Diego Pooth: Parents as "Greatest Fortune in the World"
For Diego Pooth (22), his parents are "the greatest fortune in the world". Not because TV host Verona Pooth (58) and businessman Franjo Pooth (56) "open doors" for him, as he openly admits, but because he gets along very well with both of them. A family gathering at Diego's grandmother's house near Düsseldorf shows how close the relationship is. His girlfriend and bulldog Daisy are also there. There is much laughter while cooking together.
In Berlin, Diego studies Product Management. Although he took a semester off for his successful participation in "Let's Dance", his studies generally take priority, Diego and his parents emphasize. For his work at a start-up, he seeks advice from Franjo Pooth and has him test a dietary supplement. However, the father stirs a bit too vigorously - and promptly breaks a glass.
Diego Pooth, who stood in front of the camera alongside his mother as a child, appears in "Born Famous" as the most grounded of the celebrity offspring portrayed. He seems to have made his peace with his role as the son of famous parents.
Josefine Scholl: Footballer's Daughter, Player's Wife and Influencer
Josefine Scholl (18) is likely to be the most unknown celebrity child in the documentary series for many. On TikTok, however, the daughter of football legend Mehmet Scholl (55) has already built up a large fan base. There she appears without her last name and only mentions her famous father in exceptional cases.
"Born Famous" accompanies Josefine to her first appearance in traditional media: Together with her father, she gives a radio interview. In it, she talks about her life as a footballer's daughter and player's wife. Josefine is in a relationship with football star Tom Bischof (21), who plays for FC Bayern Munich just as Mehmet Scholl once did. The cameras also follow her while shopping for new outfits that she later presents on TikTok. While shopping, she is repeatedly approached by young girls - presumably not because of her famous last name.
All four protagonists agree that life as a celebrity offspring brings disadvantages - which, however, are not perceived by the public in contrast to the undeniable advantages.
"The humiliations my soul has endured are of the finest kind", says Gloria-Sophie Burkandt in tears. Her father also admits: "Gloria hasn't had an easy journey."
