In 1999, Petszokat married former Unter uns actress Tatiani Katrantzi. They have a son together, Ilias (born February 1999). The couple separated in November 2007 and divorced in 2009. Since 2009, he has been in a relationship with his new partner, former figure skater Pauline Schubert, whom he married on August 7, 2014. The two own a delicatessen store for dogs in Cologne's Südstadt. Schubert underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in early 2020.
Television
He achieved his first successes as an actor starting in 1996 in the daily soap opera Alle zusammen – jeder für sich, which aired on RTL II. Through his role as Ricky Marquart in the RTL series Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten, which he played from 1998 to 1999, he quickly became a heartthrob. In 2002, Petszokat founded the internet platform 23HeadZtorms GmbH in Berlin. In 2003, he played a leading role in the German film Motown and was a jury member on the ZDF casting show Die deutsche Stimme 2003.
From March 2, 2004, to March 1, 2005, Petszokat, alongside Ruth Moschner and Christian Möllmann, co-hosted the fifth season of Big Brother. He also co-hosted the sixth season starting from March 1, 2005, alongside Ruth Moschner and Jochen Bendel, replacing Möllmann. From June 6, 2005, he co-hosted the Big Brother village weekly show with Bendel, replacing Moschner, who left the show at her own request.
From March to August 2006, Petszokat hosted the daily game show 5 gegen 5 on the private broadcaster RTL II, succeeding the long-running successful family duel on RTL. In the fall of 2006, Petszokat moved to the private broadcaster ProSieben, where he participated in the ice skating show Stars auf Eis and won with his partner Kati Winkler. He also appeared on the comedy show Gott sei dank … dass Sie da sind! and hosted the finals of the fifth and sixth seasons of the casting show Popstars.
From January to March 2007, he co-hosted the ProSieben game show marathon with Oliver Pocher. In October 2007, he participated in the ProSieben show Das große Promi-Pilgern alongside Katy Karrenbauer, Charlotte Engelhardt, Ingo Naujoks, and Claude-Oliver Rudolph. From December 2007, Petszokat co-hosted the second season of the ProSieben show Stars auf Eis with Katarina Witt and Charlotte Engelhardt. In 2008, he appeared alongside Jeanette Biedermann on ProSieben in the funny movie Dörte's Dancing. From September 9, 2008, he co-hosted the show Singing Bee with Senna Guemmour, which was also broadcast on ProSieben but was discontinued in November 2008 due to poor ratings.
On April 11, 2010, he appeared on the VOX show Das perfekte Promi-Dinner alongside Benjamin Boyce, Yvonne de Bark, and Kelly Trump. In August 2010, he got a tattoo on the RTL II show "Tattoo Attack - Stars stechen zu". From October 2010 to September 2011, Petszokat played a leading role in the daily soap opera Hand aufs Herz, which aired on Sat.1 and sixx. Since 2016, he has appeared in the telenovela "Rote Rosen" as dance instructor René Siegel. In September of the same year, he became a brand ambassador for Family TV with his song "Wie früher".
In spring 2019, Petszokat hosted thirteen episodes of the ARD upcycling show Hallo Schatz – Vom Plunder zum Prachtstück. From October 13, 2019, until the end of the year, he worked as a reporter for the WDR show Tiere suchen ein Zuhause, and since early 2020, he has been a co-host there. In January 2022, Petszokat participated as the "Monkey" in the ProSieben show The Masked Dancer and won.
Theater
From February 1, 2013, he played the confused Kjell Bjarne in "Elling – Zwei gegen den Rest der Welt" at the Comödie Dresden. He performed alongside Miriam Pielhau, Tobias Schenke, and Christian Kühn until the end of April 2013 at the Dresden theater.
Music
In the summer of 1997, he released his first single, a cover version of the song "Liebe machen" by the hip-hop duo Vereinigte Arroganz. His second single, "Eivissa," recorded with the group Paradise Love Squad, reached number 32 in Germany and remained in the charts for a total of nine weeks.
After becoming one of the stars of Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten, he released his third single in the fall of 1998 with co-singer Tina Frank, a rapped cover version of the hit "Flugzeuge im Bauch" by Herbert Grönemeyer from 1984. The single reached the top position in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, it received a triple platinum record for over 1.5 million units sold. Until 2017, "Flugzeuge im Bauch" by Oli P. was the best-selling German-language single since 1975. For this success, Petszokat was awarded the Echo Pop German Music Award in 1999 for the most successful national rock/pop single. The follow-up single, "I Wish," reached number two on the charts.
His second number-one hit was achieved in the fall of 1999 with a cover version of the song "So bist du," sung with Naima, which Peter Maffay had also reached number one with in the charts in 1979. In 2000, Petszokat was heard with rap inserts in the song "Immer noch" by Jeanette Biedermann.
In April 2011, Petszokat made his debut at the Bierkönig in Mallorca. On August 15 of the same year, he performed for the first time at the cult discotheque Oberbayern. Since then, the singer, popular with Ballermann vacationers, has had regular performances at these venues. At the end of 2017, he went on a concert tour with Mia Julia throughout Germany. In July 2023, the eighth studio album "Hey Freiheit – Das Album" was released. It is Petszokat's third top-10 album and his highest-charting album in Germany. Additionally, it reached the charts in Austria and Switzerland for the first time since 1999.
Dich dich bleiben lassen
Oli P. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ich dachte, wir wärn über den Wolken
Im Himmel gemeinsam
Doch ich hab mich geirrt
Dich dich bleiben lassen,
Dich nicht zu hassen,
Dich dich selbst zu lassen,
Dich zu nehmen wie du bist
Ich baute einen Käfig um sie herum, und das war dumm
Ich verstümmelte sie, indem ich sie ohne Grund
Zu verändern versuchte und fluchte
Wenn es nicht genau das war, wonach ich suchte
Ich verfluchte all die schönen Sachen
Die sie wollte machen ohne mich, machte zur Pflicht
Dass ich sie nicht und nimmer aus den Augen verlier
Hab es nie kapiert, dass das Klammern die Beziehung ruiniert
Setzte Barrikaden, ohne sie zu fragen
Ging ihr an den Kragen; wenn es trotzdem was zu klagen gab
Gipste ich sie ein mit neuen Paragraphen und Verboten
Spielte nur die Noten, die ich total verlogen komponierte
Ich regierte ihre Welt und merkte nicht, dass ihr das fehlt
Was sie, sie ausmacht, das, was zählt
Hab sie, glaube ich, total verfehlt
Dich dich bleiben lassen,
Dich nicht zu hassen,
Dich dich selbst zu lassen,
Dich dich bleiben lassen, baby,
Dich zu nehmen wie du bist
So, nun weiß ich's genau, ich hab' diese Frau nie geliebt
Ich hab' es versiebt. Wer die Hälfte liebt
Liebt nicht nur halb, sondern gar nicht
Aus meiner Sicht läuft die Sache so nun wirklich nicht
Ich dach' ich wäre weise
Weise? Ja, klar, wusste nicht, dass die Beziehung entgleiste
Komm, lass' sein, seh' es lieber ein, das war nicht fein, nein
Jetzt weiß ich Bescheid, ich hab' die Lage längst gepeilt
Jetzt mal ohne Scheiß, ich hasste ihre Vergangenheit
Und all die abgefuckten Typen, die sie alle berührten
Ins Bett verführten und sie dort liebten
Doch warum? Ich hatte keinen Grund, hasse lieber mich
Ich Vegabund, bunt trieb ich's in meiner eigenen Vergangenheit
War bereit, das zu tun, was mich nun quält, weit verfehlt
Dich dich bleiben lassen,
Dich nicht zu hassen,
Dich dich selbst zu lassen,
Dich dich bleiben lassen, baby,
Dich zu nehmen wie du bist
Ich rede nur von Liebe, ich red' von Liebe, Baby...
Tja, was soll ich sagen, ich konnt' sie kaum ertragen
Diese ungewissen Stunden und die blöden Abende
Die ich mutterseelenallein verbrachte und daran dachte
Bei wem sie die Nacht durch machte, pachtete ihre Seele
Und es krachte, wenn sie nach Hause kam
Und lachte über ihre Lügen, die gar keine waren -
Hab' mich leider vertan und dabei ihre Gefühle gestohln'
Widerwillig passte sie sich mir an
Und begann das zu tun, was ich verlangte
Dann und wann hatte sie den Drang, sie selbst zu sein,
Doch aus Angst mich zu verliern, ließ sie's bleiben
Und dabei merkte ich nicht, dass sie sich selbst verliert
Alles das was ich hasste: ausradiert
Liquidierte sie und ihre Persönlichkeit
Es tut mir Leid, ich hab's nicht geschnallt, total verpeilt
Dich dich bleiben lassen,
Dich nicht zu hassen,
Dich dich selbst zu lassen,
Dich dich bleiben lassen, baby,
Dich zu nehmen wie du bist
The song "Dich dich bleiben lassen" by Oli P. is about a man who realizes that he has made a mistake by trying to control and change his partner instead of accepting her for who she is. He builds a cage around her by setting up boundaries, rules, and restrictions that force her to conform to his expectations. He becomes obsessed with keeping her under his control and feels threatened by anything that she wants to do without him. He believes that he loves her, but in reality, he is only in love with the idea of her as his possession. The song ends with the man acknowledging his failure and regret for not taking the time to truly understand and appreciate his partner.
The lyrics in this song convey a powerful message about the importance of respecting and accepting others for who they are. It highlights the damaging effects of possessiveness and control in a relationship and encourages listeners to avoid these qualities. The use of metaphorical language, such as building a cage and setting up barriers, makes the message more impactful and accessible to listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, baby
The singer addresses his partner.
Ich dachte, wir wärn über den Wolken
The singer thought that they were on cloud nine, or in a happy place in their relationship.
Im Himmel gemeinsam
Together in heaven, or in complete happiness.
Doch ich hab mich geirrt
The artist realizes that he was wrong about their relationship being happy.
Dich dich bleiben lassen,
The artist regrets trying to change his partner into something she's not and resolves to let her be herself.
Dich nicht zu hassen,
He also acknowledges that he has no reason to hate her, despite his past behavior.
Dich dich selbst zu lassen,
He wants her to be true to herself and not have to bend to his will.
Dich dich bleiben lassen, baby,
He repeats his resolution to let her be herself and accept her for who she is.
Dich zu nehmen wie du bist
He wants to embrace her for all her flaws and accept her as she is.
Ich baute einen Käfig um sie herum, und das war dumm
The artist acknowledges that his controlling behavior was foolish and suffocating for his partner.
Ich verstümmelte sie, indem ich sie ohne Grund
He realizes that he damaged her by trying to mold her into someone she's not, without any reason to do so.
Zu verändern versuchte und fluchte
He cursed when she didn't change the way he wanted her to.
Wenn es nicht genau das war, wonach ich suchte
He only wanted her to change if it was exactly what he was looking for, and wasn't willing to compromise.
Ich verfluchte all die schönen Sachen
The singer cursed all the beautiful things his partner wanted to do without him.
Die sie wollte machen ohne mich, machte zur Pflicht
He made it her duty to not do anything without him, which was unfair and controlling.
Dass ich sie nicht und nimmer aus den Augen verlier
He was obsessed with keeping his partner close and never losing sight of her, which was unhealthy.
Hab es nie kapiert, dass das Klammern die Beziehung ruiniert
The artist didn't realize that his attachment was damaging to their relationship.
Setzte Barrikaden, ohne sie zu fragen
He put up barriers in their relationship without asking for her input or consent.
Ging ihr an den Kragen; wenn es trotzdem was zu klagen gab
He attacked her verbally if she ever had something to complain about.
Gipste ich sie ein mit neuen Paragraphen und Verboten
The artist restricted his partner's behavior with new rules and restrictions.
Spielte nur die Noten, die ich total verlogen komponierte
He only played the tunes that he, himself, composed out of falsehood and deceit.
Ich regierte ihre Welt und merkte nicht, dass ihr das fehlt
He was the ruler of her world, but failed to notice that it was not what she needed.
Was sie, sie ausmacht, das, was zählt
The singer failed to recognize what was important to his partner and what made her unique.
Hab sie, glaube ich, total verfehlt
The artist acknowledges that he totally missed the mark with his partner in their relationship.
So, nun weiß ich's genau, ich hab' diese Frau nie geliebt
The singer admits that he never truly loved her, despite his previous claims.
Ich hab' es versiebt. Wer die Hälfte liebt
He recognizes that he made mistakes and that loving someone partly is not enough.
Liebt nicht nur halb, sondern gar nicht
The singer understands that only loving someone partly is the same as not loving them at all.
Aus meiner Sicht läuft die Sache so nun wirklich nicht
The artist believes that this is not how a relationship should be.
Ich dach' ich wäre weise
He thought he was wise about love and relationships.
Weise? Ja, klar, wusste nicht, dass die Beziehung entgleiste
However, he was not wise enough to realize that their relationship was deteriorating.
Komm, lass' sein, seh' es lieber ein, das war nicht fein, nein
The singer decides to stop his controlling behavior and admits that it was not okay.
Jetzt weiß ich Bescheid, ich hab' die Lage längst gepeilt
The artist has finally realized the situation and understands what needs to be done.
Jetzt mal ohne Scheiß, ich hasste ihre Vergangenheit
He reveals that he had a problem with his partner's past.
Und all die abgefuckten Typen, die sie alle berührten
The artist disliked all the men from his partner's past, who had touched her intimately.
Ins Bett verführten und sie dort liebten
He resented these past partners for having sex with his current partner.
Doch warum? Ich hatte keinen Grund, hasse lieber mich
The artist admits that he had no real reason for hating his partner's past and instead should focus on his own shortcomings.
Ich Vegabund, bunt trieb ich's in meiner eigenen Vergangenheit
The singer describes his own wild past, where he may have engaged in similar behavior to his partner's past partners.
War bereit, das zu tun, was mich nun quält, weit verfehlt
He recognizes that his past actions were misguided and causing him to feel guilty and remorseful now in the present.
Ich rede nur von Liebe, ich red' von Liebe, Baby...
The singer emphasizes that he is only talking about love and that he truly wants to show his partner love and compassion now.
Tja, was soll ich sagen, ich konnt' sie kaum ertragen
The artist confesses that he could hardly stand his partner due to his controlling behavior.
Diese ungewissen Stunden und die blöden Abende
He describes how their relationship was filled with uncertainty and unpleasant times.
Die ich mutterseelenallein verbrachte und daran dachte
The singer was often alone and contemplated why their relationship was not working out.
Bei wem sie die Nacht durch machte, pachtete ihre Seele
He was jealous of where she was spending her time and who she was spending it with.
Und es krachte, wenn sie nach Hause kam
Their relationship was tumultuous and was filled with arguments and disagreements.
Und lachte über ihre Lügen, die gar keine waren -
The artist accused her of lying, even when she wasn't, which damaged their trust.
Hab' mich leider vertan und dabei ihre Gefühle gestohln'
The artist misjudged the situation and took away his partner's feelings by controlling her too much.
Widerwillig passte sie sich mir an
His partner was adapting to his controlling behavior, albeit unwillingly.
Und begann das zu tun, was ich verlangte
She began to do what he said, even if it wasn't in her best interest.
Dann und wann hatte sie den Drang, sie selbst zu sein,
His partner still had the desire to be herself every once in a while, despite his controlling behavior.
Doch aus Angst mich zu verliern, ließ sie's bleiben
She was afraid of losing him, so she suppressed her own desires to be herself.
Und dabei merkte ich nicht, dass sie sich selbst verliert
The singer was too focused on controlling her that he didn't realize he was causing her to lose her own sense of identity.
Alles das was ich hasste: ausradiert
His controlling behavior had erased everything that he disliked about his partner's past and her unique personality.
Liquidierte sie und ihre Persönlichkeit
He liquidated her personality and replaced it with his own ideal image of her, which wasn't true to who she was.
Es tut mir Leid, ich hab's nicht geschnallt, total verpeilt
The singer has come to regret his past behavior and realizes that he didn't understand the situation at the time.
Contributed by Gabriella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.