Stefan Raab, Elton, and Yvonne Catterfeld will serve as the main jury for Germany’s Eurovision preliminary rounds, airing live on RTL and RTL+ in February 2025, with the finale on March 1. Raab, a seasoned ESC contributor, brings extensive experience, having been involved in multiple Eurovision entries. Elton offers a fan’s perspective, while Catterfeld contributes her musical expertise. Together, they aim to evaluate emerging talent and celebrate live performances on a significant platform.
Meet the Prominent Jury for Germany’s Eurovision Preliminary Round
Stefan Raab (58), the charismatic entertainer, along with the engaging moderator Elton (53) and the talented singer-actress Yvonne Catterfeld (45), will form the core jury for the German preliminary round of the Eurovision Song Contest. Audiences can catch three thrilling live shows airing on February 14, 15, and 22, 2025, during prime time on RTL and RTL+. The grand finale is set for March 1 at 8:15 PM, to be broadcast by ARD (Das Erste, ARD Mediathek, eurovision.de, ONE). As the jury evaluates various acts with rotating guest jurors, it will ultimately be up to the viewers to decide who makes it to the final round. But what unique connections do these jurors have with the ESC? Let’s take a closer look.
Stefan Raab: The ESC Veteran
Stefan Raab is undoubtedly the star of the show, boasting an impressive history with the Eurovision Song Contest. His journey began with the composition of Guildo Horn’s iconic 1998 entry, ‘Guildo has you loved!’ Raab also showcased his own talents in 2000 with the catchy ‘Wadde hadde dudde da?’ securing a commendable fifth place. His influence continued in 2004 when he guided singer Max Mutzke (43) through a casting show, leading to an eighth-place finish with the song ‘Can’t Wait Until Tonight.’ This year, Mutzke is set to participate as a guest juror in the first preliminary show, while Johannes Oerding (43) will join in the second.
Raab was pivotal in Lena Meyer-Landrut’s triumphant 2010 win in Oslo, having chaired the jury for ‘Unser Star für Oslo.’ He also played a key role in song selection for her 2011 return with ‘Unser Song für Deutschland’ and co-hosted the Eurovision event in Düsseldorf that same year. Even during the pandemic in 2020, he created the ‘Free European Song Contest,’ showcasing his adaptability and commitment to the music scene. Now, for the first time, Raab collaborates with RTL and ARD for the ESC preliminary round, forming a carefully chosen jury for ‘Chefsache ESC 2025 – Who sings for Germany?’
Elton and Yvonne Catterfeld: Diverse Perspectives
Elton, a seasoned music aficionado, joins Raab as a co-juror. Raab describes him as someone who deeply appreciates music as a consumer rather than as a creator, reflecting the perspective of the majority of viewers. Elton’s passion for music shines through his attendance at various festivals and his extensive knowledge across genres. A dedicated ESC fan since 2004, he has accompanied Raab on several occasions, including Lena Meyer-Landrut’s victory in 2010. He also co-hosted ‘Unser Lied für Lissabon’ in 2018 and represented Germany in announcing jury points during the Liverpool Eurovision in 2023. Elton humorously claims that he adds an ‘unknown factor’ to Raab’s successful formula.
Completing the trio is Yvonne Catterfeld, who brings her own musical expertise to the table. Raab praises her as a skilled singer with a history of hits, which adds depth to the jury’s composition. Catterfeld has previously served as a coach on ‘The Voice of Germany’ and has experience judging talent, having participated in the 2010 ‘Unser Star für Oslo’ alongside Raab. Excited about her role, she emphasizes the importance of showcasing exceptional musicians and providing them with a platform to shine. ‘This show is a huge opportunity for all these promising talents, ideally beyond Germany’s borders,’ Catterfeld expresses, highlighting her enthusiasm for celebrating live music and quality performances.