By Maria-Nefeli Andredaki,
In the past month, Netflix released a new reality/documentary series on the Kaulitz brothers and, let me tell you, as someone who was essentially raised by them, it was a real trip down memory lane. While the show revolves around Bill and Tom Kaulitz, due to the nature of the series we get cameos from other celebrities as well, such as the rest of the members of Tokio Hotel, renowned model Heidi Klum and social media personality Marc Eggers.
The band “Tokio Hotel” was a big part of my childhood, as is the case for many 2000s European kids and teenagers. Starting their career at only twelve years old, Bill, Tom, Georg and Gustav created a band (initially called “Devilish” but later changed to “Tokio Hotel”) that would go on to become extremely influential in the alternative rock and emo European scene. Their major success “Monsoon”, as well as the entirety of the albums “Scream” and “Humanoid” are still remembered as iconic, influential pieces that left a legacy of sold-out international tours and a multitude of over one hundred awards, including MTV EMAs and VMAs. Nine years after their formation, Tom and Bill Kaulitz would reach their limit in regards to the consequences of their fame. The multiple instances of life-threatening harassment, stalking and robbery would lead them to Los Angeles, where they have been living ever since, while keeping a moderately low profile.
Or that was the case, at least up until recently, before this Netflix docu-reality came out. The purpose of it is to showcase what the twins have been up to, what their life looks like in the US compared to the past, as well as the impact their career has had on their lives. From the very first episode, it is clear that the two identical twins, while still inseparable, live very different lives. Bill seems to be the main protagonist of the show, revealing all aspects of his glamorous life, including his own house, everyday activities and romantic adventures, whereas Tom chooses a more private approach, painting the picture of a family-oriented man, whose priorities consist of spending quality time with his step-children and dogs. It is extremely interesting to see not just the differences between the two twins themselves, but their individual character development and the impact this has had on their relationship and their creative process of music production as well.
A very interesting topic that the documentary touches on, which is also significant for fans who have been following Tokio Hotel these past two decades, is Bill’s sexuality and confidence in his own skin. Back in the day, Bill Kaulitz was a pioneer of the emo look, with long fluffy hair, painted nails and eyeliner. This feminine image, while admittedly being extremely popular with their female fans, drew massive amounts of hate that heavily impacted not only their career, but Bill’s self image and personal life as well. There were many times when he went on German TV shows and had to be inquired about his attraction to men, which he always denied.
Seeing him acknowledge the impact of all that, while also confidently standing up for himself and being comfortable enough to showcase his romantic involvement with Marc Eggers, speaks volumes about how long he has come and why stories and representation matter. As a long-time fan, I am very grateful that we were allowed a glimpse into their lives and I cannot wait for what’s to come!
Reference
- Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Kaulitz & Kaultiz’ On Netflix, A Reality Show About Twin Brother Rock Stars, One Of Whom Is Married To Heidi Klum. Decider. Available here
