Whether as a solo artist, a stage performer, or a member of the boy band Team5ünf, Daniel Johnson feels at home on big stages. The 33-year-old has long been a fixture in the German-language pop Schlager scene and speaks openly about his queerness. On his social media channels, he shares glimpses of his life and weighs in on societal issues. That openness brings a lot of support, but it also invites a steady stream of hate comments.
Nevertheless, Johnson stays unfazed and today looks back on a successful career. He is currently in a leading role on the stage of the legendary Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin—with more than 600,000 tickets sold to date. We used this milestone as an occasion to talk with him in depth about his career, his marriage, and how he handles hate and online abuse.
Daniel, you’re currently playing the lead role of “Dream” in “BLINDED by DELIGHT” at the Friedrichstadt-Palast. What does it mean to you to stand on the largest theater stage in the world?
It means the world to me. In moments like this I think back to when I was a kid and the only boy in the ballet class. I didn’t care what the other guys thought of me because I was happy. I sang all day, read BRAVO, watched VIVA, and I knew: someday you’ll be on a big stage yourself.
And to be living that dream today, in the role of “Dream,” is a true full-circle moment for me. I’m incredibly grateful for it.
Which aspects of this character challenge you the most, and in which moments do you see parallels between you and the “Dream”?
Vocally, it’s definitely one of the most demanding roles I’ve ever sung. The biggest challenge, though, is the energy level. If you’re performing a grand show up to eight times a week for a year, you have to make sure the energy doesn’t dip. The audience deserves to be enchanted every night, anew. It’s our job to keep that energy steady.
The “Dream” is positive, optimistic, and playful, with a touch of showmanship. If you asked my friends how they would describe me, they’d probably say something similar. I love being in good company, I enjoy making people laugh, and I like infecting others with my energy.
There is a difference, though: the “Dream” still has to learn that it’s okay to wrestle with dark thoughts and give them space during the show. I’ve learned that in my own life. A shout-out to my therapist here.
How has your view of the show business changed since you’ve been openly queer and still involved in large productions?
Queerness is an essential part of show business. The difference for me is whether you live it openly and make it visible. Visibility can rub some people the wrong way, and you can feel it in terms of which doors open and which stay closed.
Particularly in Schlager, where I’m active both solo and with Team5ünf, there are TV formats and networks where queer artists—especially newcomers—are underrepresented or largely absent.
In my work as a musical performer, I’ve not encountered such limitations. I don’t feel any fewer opportunities because I’m queer. Queer people are a visible, natural part of the theater world. Maybe that’s why I feel so at home here.
What experiences have you had regarding how queer artists in Germany are perceived in terms of professionalism, emotion, and expectations?
Honestly, I’m not sure queer artists are always seen as artists first. We’re still too often reduced to our sexuality. In public discourse, it’s about whether two men hold hands or kiss, whether two women can marry, or which bathroom a person should use. The fact that we’re people who make music and create art often takes a back seat.
I wish our professionalism, our emotional depth, and the quality of our work were recognized as a given. Queer people are a part of society, and queer art is part of society too, deserving its place in the spotlight.
How do you balance the different demands of being a musical theater performer, a member of Team5ünf, and a solo artist?
No idea. Sometimes I wonder how I manage to juggle it all. But I enjoy it, and I think that’s the key. That enjoyment is the engine that drives me. It isn’t always easy, especially in the last couple of years when life on the road is tiring. And then you throw in relying on the train system in Germany—you’re in trouble. But in those moments I think of the little Daniel from Paderborn who always dreamed of this life, and it’s back to work we go.
What role does social media play in your career, and at what points do you feel it harms you more than helps?
I always say I’m a singer, not an influencer. But we’re living in 2026, and social media is now part of the job. Through Instagram, TikTok, and the like, I can share my life and my music with my community and post my tour dates. It’s a lot of fun, but it also comes with pressure to create cool content.
So social media is a kind of love-hate relationship for me. The hate comes when I have to engage with homophobic and hostile comments. But my acting coach during my theater training gave me great advice: grow a thick skin, and nothing can get to you. I’ve tried to take that to heart.
You’ve mentioned you’ve experienced shitstorms. How do you handle such situations, and what sparked the most recent large one?
I usually approach these situations with a calm demeanor and try to ride them out. It’s social media—an online space where some people behave more boldly than they would in person. If something doesn’t interest me or I don’t like it, I scroll on by. But many people today have an overwhelming need to express themselves.
As for the last shitstorm: it exploded after my “Happy Pride” post at this year’s Berlin Pride festival (CSD). I’ve encountered homophobic attacks before, but this wave of hateful, violent comments was brutal. After the attack, I saw lines like, “You wanted it to be colorful,” or “Happy it’s over now.”
Behind these comments are real people—members of our society who are so filled with hate. What do you do with those people? Education? I don’t have an answer.
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You speak openly about your marriage to your husband Lorenz. What role does jealousy play when you’re getting a lot of attention professionally?
The word jealousy doesn’t exist for us. Even though we might see each other less than other couples because of my work, it doesn’t affect our relationship or our love. On the contrary: he isn’t only my husband but my best friend, the one I can trust blindly. And even though I’m in the spotlight a lot, my attention stays on him and on our life together. We talk on the phone every day, see each other every weekend, and we just celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.
Fun fact: Lorenz actually met me on stage. He knew from the start that this life would be part of me. He supports me in everything I do and perhaps in things I’ll do in the future. I know I can go through thick and thin with this man, and I’m grateful for that.
Do you sometimes feel that queer artists who are single are viewed or idealized differently than those in relationships?
Yes and no. For instance, some people don’t seem to care whether I’m married. Then they might ask if we’re not perhaps in an open relationship—which is a completely valid relationship concept, especially in the gay scene. But for me the answer is clear: no, thank you.
Some messages are genuinely sweet and flattering. But there are also unsolicited nude photos, and you have to set clear boundaries.
Your new single is titled “Ich träum dich.” What feeling or idea is at the center of this song for you?
The song is about long-distance love—specifically my long-distance relationship. I moved to Berlin for work, and my husband still lives in the south. I hear couples say, “How do you do it? We could never.” But I believe that longing and the joy of being reunited might be our little secret to why we’re still doing so well.
“I dream you in the middle of Berlin, from Hamburg to Vienna, because I miss you terribly and you’re home to me.” That line from the song may resonate with others too. Home isn’t just a place—it’s the feeling you have when you’re with the right person.
What do you personally still dream of beyond the stage and career?
I dream of many things. I dream of spending more time with my mom and grandma, whom I unfortunately don’t see often enough. I dream of people learning to listen to one another and meeting each other eye to eye.
And I’m already dreaming about my February vacation. Where to go? I don’t know. The main thing is sunshine, the chance to swim, and that my husband will be there.
