Germany has a very rich Eurovision history. Having debuted in the first-ever competition back in 1956, they have appeared in nearly every edition (they failed to qualify for the 1996 edition in the pre-qualification rounds that existed in that era) and won twice. With Lena having last taken the crown home in 2010, they are pinning their hopes on a very well-established act for their 2026 entry. Having become a household name back in 2011 on Deutschland sucht den Superstar, Sarah Engels has 6 hit albums to her name alongside acclaim in the world of musical theatre. Having released her latest studio album, Strong Girls Club, less than a year ago, Sarah romped to victory on the national pre-selection with nearly 40% of the vote with the dance anthem Fire. We caught up with her to see how she is feeling about the impending competition.

Hi, first and foremost, how are you?

I’m doing really well, thank you! It’s a very exciting and intense time right now, but I’m feeling grateful and full of energy.

What an exciting 2026 so far... You must be thrilled with how it's playing out. What's been the highlight?

It really has been an incredible year so far. So much has already happened, and it honestly feels like it was just New Year’s Eve yesterday – time is flying so fast. I feel very grateful for everything that’s happening right now. The highlight has definitely been winning the national final and getting the chance to represent my country at Eurovision. That moment was so emotional and surreal – something I will never forget

We absolutely love Fire. Tell us a little about the process behind the scenes in creating the song?

Fire was created together with an amazing team, and the process was very collaborative and emotional. We worked through different ideas until everything felt just right and truly reflected me as an artist. When I heard the final version for the first time, I immediately knew: this is the perfect song for Eurovision.

Your back catalogue contains a mixture of English and German recordings, often with Spanish thrown in. What made you decide to enter Eurovision in English?

I’ve always loved working in different languages, and each of them allows me to express myself in a slightly different way. For Eurovision, we decided to go with English because it helps the song reach as many people as possible across Europe and beyond. With Fire, it was important for me that the message connects internationally, and English felt like the right choice to make that happen.

Did you always intend the song for Eurovision?

Not from the very beginning. The song first came together organically, just from the feeling and the message we wanted to create. But once Fire was finished, it quickly became clear to me that this song has exactly the kind of energy and message that fits perfectly for Eurovision.

You have been an advocate for equality, with songs like Love is Love, how do you feel Eurovision represents this?

I think Eurovision is a beautiful example of how music can bring people together and stand for equality. It’s a platform where diversity is celebrated and where people from all walks of life can feel seen and represented. That’s something I truly value, because I believe music should connect people and create a space where everyone is welcome.

Have you always been a big fan of Eurovision?

Yes, I’ve always been a big fan of Eurovision. I grew up watching it with my big family, and we would even give out our own points together. It was always like a little event for us – a special evening full of excitement, music, and fun.

Who is your favourite Eurovision entry of all time?

One of my all-time favourites is definitely Euphoria by Loreen. That performance was just incredible – so powerful, emotional, and captivating. She managed to fill the entire stage with her presence, and that really inspired me.

Germany has had a very strong history at Eurovision. Do you have a favourite German performance?

Germany has had some really special Eurovision moments. One of my favorites is definitely Ein bisschen Frieden – it has such a timeless message and so much emotion. I also really loved Satellite because it felt so fresh and authentic. Both performances show in their own way how powerful simplicity and honesty can be on that stage.



If you had to file it between two other songs, what would they be and why...?

That’s a really interesting question. I would probably place “Fire” somewhere between Euphoria by Loreen and a powerful pop ballad. On one side, it has that strong, driving energy and intensity that builds throughout the performance, and on the other side, it carries a lot of emotion and vulnerability. That combination of power and feeling is what defines the song for me.

Who do you feel is your stiffest competition?

I think there are so many strong artists this year, and that’s what makes Eurovision so exciting. It’s hard to single out one person, because every act brings something unique to the stage. For me, it’s less about competition and more about focusing on my own performance and giving the best I can. At the end of the day, it’s about connecting with the audience and sharing the music.

What can we expect from your Vienna performance?

You can expect a very powerful and emotional performance. It’s all about creating a moment that really pulls you in – with strong vocals, a lot of energy, and a clear message. I want the audience to feel the journey of Fire, from vulnerability to strength. It’s going to be intense, honest, and full of passion.

What is your Eurovision ambition?

Of course, you always dream of doing well and making your country proud. But for me, my biggest ambition is to create a moment that truly connects with people. I want to go on that stage, give everything I have, and share my story in the most honest way. And if even just one woman feels inspired to find and ignite her inner fire again, then I’ve already won for myself.

If you could record with one other Eurovision artist, who would you work with?

I think I would go for a combination full of female power. For example, I would love to collaborate with my girls Antigoni from Cyprus , Dara from Bulgaria and Delta from Australia. They are such incredible women with amazing energy, and I truly believe we could create something really powerful together and bring a lot of energy into a song. That would be so much fun!

And lastly, aside from Eurovision, what other 2026 plans do you have?

Right now, everything is very focused on Eurovision, so I’m really living in the moment. But of course, there are already a lot of ideas and plans for what comes next. One thing I’m especially excited about is returning to the stage as Satine in Moulin Rouge! – just three days after the Eurovision final, I’ll be back performing the leading role, which is something I’m really looking forward to.