Photo: Sven Mandel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Born in Germany · Nationality German — Culture / media / celebrities
Documented profile covering 14 controversies, including “Two Modern Talking break-ups and longstanding conflict with Thomas Anders” and “Verona Feldbusch's allegation of violence and conflicting accounts of incident”.
Profile No. 0899 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
2025-2026
Bohlen stated that Russia and Germany had once been an economic 'Dreamteam' and made other remarks critical of German policy and the war. In 2026, media outlets linked these statements to the alleged cancellation of concerts in Lithuania.
2023
After asking Jill Lange whether she had done anything 'normal' or merely 'durchnudeln lassen', Bohlen was accused of slut-shaming. RTL removed the segment from its linear broadcast; Katja Krasavice publicly attacked him, and female RTL employees demanded his departure.
2021
RTL announced Bohlen's departure from DSDS and 'Das Supertalent' as part of a shift towards more family-friendly programming. Bohlen challenged the reasons given and publicly presented his own account of the split.
2020
Following Xavier Naidoo's removal by RTL after controversial videos, Bohlen initially avoided commenting before supporting the broadcaster's decision. His delayed response and wording themselves attracted criticism.
2004-2011
Experts and media outlets repeatedly accused Bohlen of copying melodies, notably for 'Für Dich'. A criminal investigation was opened in 2004 and subsequently closed; further similarity allegations later emerged concerning songs such as 'Call My Name'.
2010
A DSDS segment mocking a contestant over a stain portrayed as urine was criticised by youth protection authorities, which considered that the contestant's dignity and protection standards had been violated.
2009
Bohlen called contestant Annemarie Eilfeld a 'Bitch', attracting extensive media coverage and criticism of his degrading language.
2007-2008
The KJM examined humiliation and insults on DSDS, and the authorities upheld a 100 000-euro fine against RTL. Bohlen's remarks towards contestants were expressly included in the youth protection case.
2008
A 17-year-old contestant collapsed following extremely harsh criticism during a DSDS audition. The broadcast of information enabling his identification intensified controversy over the televised humiliation of minors.
2008
A 'Das Supertalent' contestant filed a complaint after a mocking remark by Bohlen. Hamburg prosecutors closed the case, taking the programme's context into account.
2008
Max von Thun left the DSDS judging panel after an initial audition marked by repeated arguments with Bohlen. RTL said the 'chemistry' was not working and immediately replaced the judge.
2003-2005
The book 'Hinter den Kulissen' triggered several lawsuits by celebrities, including Thomas Anders, Eva Herman, Jenny Elvers and Jens Riewa. Certain passages were prohibited and distribution was affected; in the Anders case, the court considered that certain factual assertions had not been substantiated, and a final settlement provided for 60 000 euros to be paid to charities.
1987-2003
Modern Talking split amid conflict in 1987 and again in 2003. Bohlen and Thomas Anders publicly offered differing accounts of responsibility for the break-ups, and their relationship remained strained for decades.
1996
Following their separation, Verona Feldbusch publicly accused Bohlen of hitting her and displayed an injury. Bohlen disputed her account, and recordings and counter-allegations fuelled a prolonged media conflict.
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