Superstars, glamor and touching moments

Highlights of the Bambi Awards

Toni Kroos got emotional with Robbie Williams

Glamor on the red carpet, emotions on stage. The Bambi awards ceremony took place in Munich on Thursday. Those were the highlights.

The Bambi Awards stand for show, for superstars, for glamorous outfits and emotional performances. Kevin Costner provided charm and Hollywood glamor, rapper Shirin David received a golden deer for her rocket-like career and there were also political, calm tones that evening. You can see the look that presenter Victoria Swarovski used to attract attention here.

Two friends, Robbie Williams and Toni Kroos, met on stage – and mutual fans. The pop star received the Bambi for the third time after 2013 and 2016 and thanked his German fans who once let him into their hearts and accompanied him through ups and downs to this day. The Briton joked that he had his DNA tested: “I'm eight percent German.”

In the sports category he was then allowed to act as a laudator and award the prize to former national player Toni Kroos. Williams listed the titles the footballer had won during his career: “34 trophies – more than the whole of England. Including six Champions League titles and of course the biggest of all: the 2014 World Cup title. Toni Kroos is yours, is my, is our hero.”

The Brit described the former Real Madrid star's game as magical and praised his down-to-earthness and intelligence. “It's an absolute honor for me to be able to present you with this award. Toni, I Love You,” he said in conclusion, visibly touching Kroos. The footballer accepted the award with glassy eyes. As a 13-year-old, he attended Robbie Williams' famous concert “Live at Knebworth” in England and has been a fan ever since, he emphasized.

Rapper Shirin David, who delivered one of the hits of the year with “Belly, Legs, Po”, showed an unusual side of herself on stage: She was always very nervous when she had to speak in front of people, she said, and then showed a sense of humor: She thanked her for the “far too nice” eulogy and dedicated the Bambi to her mom, who always has her back. “I can go naked ‘pose with a pretzel, and you say to me, if Botticelli can paint his Venus, then I can too ‘posing with a pretzel in front of my innermost being. And I love you for that, forever.”

Jella Haase was awarded best actress for her leading role in the film “Chantal in Fairytale Land”, the follow-up to the film series “Fack ju Göhte”. For more than ten years she played the role of Chantal, who prevailed despite much resistance and went her own way. “If I learned one thing from Chantal, it is to be non-conformist and courageous, not to behave, to believe in the good,” said the 32-year-old.

A rock star was also celebrated: Bryan Adams. He was named a legend at Bambi, but didn't necessarily see himself in that role. “The legends for me are the children of Gaza, so thank you for this award.” On stage, the 65-year-old (“Summer of 69”) performed his global hit “Heaven” and admitted that he had a “long love affair with Germany.”

Kevin Costner (“Yellowstone”) visibly felt comfortable among all the stars. The Oscar winner raved about the beautifully dressed women, good-looking men and interesting conversations in the room. “I won’t forget this night,” said the winner in the international acting category.

Silent moments are also part of the Bambi gala: Lars Eidinger, winner in the best actor category for the drama “Die”, provided one of these. He chose thoughtful words given the political situation with wars and upheavals. “Can you celebrate celebrations in such times?” he asked. “Today was the first time that I thought, somehow this doesn't feel right.” Eidinger quoted a poem by Bertolt Brecht, “The Later Born”: “Really, I live in dark times.”