“This person really understands me,” gushes Sylvie Meis (48) in an interview about Riccardo Simonetti (33). The two have been bonded for years not only by a close friendship, but increasingly they also appear on camera together professionally. As brand ambassadors for the luxury haircare brand Kérastase, they are now the first German celebrity duo to appear on Cosmopolitan’s subscriber cover. For Simonetti, it’s a milestone: he is the first German man to make the magazine’s cover.
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Question: Dear Riccardo, what does this special cover moment personally mean to you?
Riccardo Simonetti: I’m really good at manifesting my dreams, but even I didn’t see this coming. That would have been unthinkable in my childhood. All the more am I thrilled that Cosmopolitan chose me!
In what way is this cover also a validation of your path so far? You’ve spent many years advocating for diversity and visibility.
Simonetti: I believe covers like this help break down gender stereotypes and show that we shouldn’t be pigeonholed. Inspiration can be found everywhere: men can be inspired by women just as much as the other way around.
Vous partagez ce moment spécial avec Sylvie Meis, l’une de vos amies les plus proches. Pourquoi cette configuration ensemble est-elle si harmonieuse pour vous?
Simonetti: Sometimes I feel like: If I weren’t gay, I’d be with Sylvie! Well, there’s also a lot of what you’d call “gay man energy” in her too! (laughs) I think Sylvie understands what it’s like to be judged prematurely. That’s why our friendship matters so much—a safe space where we can be our true selves, and where we accept and value the other person for exactly who they are.
Dear Sylvie, you’ve shot countless magazine covers. How special is it for you to stand on Cosmopolitan’s subscriber cover here in Germany, now with Riccardo Simonetti, one of your closest friends?
Sylvie Meis: Extremely special. Of course I’ve had the chance to shoot many covers during my career, but this one feels different. It’s not just about fashion or beauty; it’s about real connection. Riccardo and I aren’t just colleagues in the industry—we celebrate each other privately, we inspire each other, and we have simply a lot of fun together. This cover radiates that energy: glamorous, confident, and incredibly approachable.
How did your friendship begin—and when did you realize it might become more than a typical industry friendship?
Simonetti: We met through Motsi Mabuse. She introduced us—and from the first moment we sensed there was much more between us than our jobs. Sylvie has always been a free spirit, basically just doing her thing, just like I do.
Meis: Riccardo brought a tangible, special energy. We both love entertainment, aesthetics, and big moments, but we also dove into genuinely honest, meaningful conversations from day one. You just know when someone truly understands you.
How would you describe the bond between you two? What makes your friendship unique?
Simonetti: We share things we wouldn’t tell anyone else—certainly not people in our industry (laugh). And we’re loyal to each other, no matter what’s happening around us. No filters, just the unvarnished truth, still full of love. It’s not something you find often in life.
Meis: Yes, we can be glamorous and totally over the top, but we can also have deep, meaningful conversations. I think we give each other a lot of strength. Riccardo has an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen. And we both carry a bright, fearless mentality about life.
Is there a side of Riccardo that the public might see less often?
Meis: People know the entertainer in him—loud, funny, extravagant. But what many underestimate is how sensitive and attentive he is. He really listens, and he has a very big heart. And he’s incredibly loyal to the people he loves.
Is there a side of Sylvie that the public might see less often?
Simonetti: Sylvie is incredibly funny—many things that are often interpreted negatively in public are private running jokes for us. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. To me, she’s a modern Elizabeth Taylor, and I admire her for being as exuberant as she is approachable.
You’ve both spent years in the beauty and fashion world. What does beauty mean to you personally?
Simonetti: I try to stay true to my own beauty ideals. Society has a lot of expectations about how one should look, and I don’t subscribe to all of them. Finding your own ideal is probably a lifelong quest.
Meis: To me, beauty is largely about presence. Of course I love fashion, great hair and makeup, and all that comes with it—it’s part of my personality. But the most beautiful people are those who are comfortable with themselves. Confidence, humor, and energy—these make someone really interesting.
Your hair is a defining mark for both of you. What role does hair play in your confidence and your aura?
Meis: Hair is deeply tied to identity. It can instantly empower you—feel stronger, more feminine, more self-assured. Riccardo and I are very visual people, so hair styling is a form of expression for us. But it’s not only about having the perfect cut; it’s about how healthy, well-kept hair makes you feel.
Simonetti: My hair is the source of my self-confidence. If you took it away, I’d feel like a shadow of myself—like King Samson in the Bible. Having a partner like Kérastase by my side to live out my passion for hair and to celebrate what it means to me is the best gift.
Was there a period in your life that particularly shaped your self-confidence?
Simonetti: I think the time before you break through in the public eye, when you’re the only person who believes in yourself, is what makes you who you are. Nothing has fallen into my lap; that hunger and ambition drove me forward.
Meis: I believe every woman goes through phases of re‑finding herself. Changes in life—whether personal or professional—can shake you or make you stronger. For me, it was learning not to define myself by others’ expectations, but by my own sense of what feels right. Today, I’m much more centered than I used to be.
What advice would you give to people who want to become more confident in themselves?
Meis: Stop constantly looking left and right. We live in a world of endless comparisons—especially with social media. True self‑confidence doesn’t come from being perfect; it comes from accepting yourself. And frankly: the most fascinating people are often those with edges, character, and a strong personality.
Simonetti: Make conscious choices that prioritize your well‑being, whether or not you receive applause.
