Daniela Katzenberger at "Miss Universe": Highs, Lows, and an Emotional Journey in Las Vegas

Imagine preparing for one and a half years for THAT one moment. That's exactly what Daniela Katzenberger did to qualify for the prestigious "Miss Universe" competition in Las Vegas. After her impressive weight loss two years ago, the 38-year-old trained hard to realize her dream of reaching the podium in the beauty class. But shortly before her big performance, she was overwhelmed by intense self-doubt.
The Rocky Road to the Dream
"One and a half years of preparation for the moment. That can really destroy you, even your self-esteem," Daniela admits openly. Her ambition was huge, but the fear of failure gnawed at her. She knew that this competition would push her to her limits – emotionally and physically. "I knew that this could do something to me that I really don't want. And yet I'm doing it. I've put everything on one card," said the brave mother of a daughter. It was a huge leap into the cold water.
When Self-Doubt is the Biggest Hurdle
The thought of proudly presenting her body was particularly strange for Daniela. For a long time, she was bullied because of her appearance. Despite all the training and hard work, she still struggled with her self-image. "I think the biggest problem is that I don't find myself sexy at all. I feel really uncomfortable," she explained. Her trainer tried to encourage her, but the inner demons were strong. She had to compete against seven rivals.
The Moment of Truth
The big performance was imminent: a bikini round, followed by a glamorous presentation in an evening gown. Daniela gave it her all on stage, every pose was perfect, every smile professional. The tension was palpable. But in the end came the sobering news: Daniela Katzenberger unfortunately did not make it into the top five medal winners. A hard blow after all the effort and high expectations.
Heartache and Pizza Comfort
The disappointment was huge and palpable for Daniela. "It does something to your self-esteem. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying," Dani said honestly. Still, she didn't want any pity. "Only losers get such pity," she joked with a touch of self-irony to defuse the situation. To cope with the situation, Daniela first retreated to the bathroom. But then her husband Lucas Cordalis (57) came with the best medicine: pizza!
The "Miss Universe" chapter may not have ended with a victory for Daniela, but her journey and her openness about the highs and lows are inspiring. It will probably take a while before she can fully internalize the motto "Being there is everything." Her fans can follow her further journey every Friday at 8:15 PM on VOX. A week earlier, the double episodes are always available on RTL+.
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