Is he or isn’t he? At least since the election and appointment of Olaf Scholz as the new Chancellor, the search for a double for the 63-year-old has been in full swing. But finding a doppelganger of the SPD politician turns out to be more difficult than expected. “Nobody reports,” says Jochen Florstedt, doppelganger agent from Mülheim an der Ruhr. “That’s incredible.”
The 71-year-old, who himself has been acting as a double for Jake (John Belushi) from the Blues Brothers for around 30 years with glasses and sideburns, has been placing doubles with film, television and companies with his agency since 1998. According to his own statements, Florstedt has been looking for a Scholz double for more than three years – so far without success.
Double wanted for full government
The entire new federal government is currently in demand. In addition to Scholz, especially Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock, but also Karl Lauterbach and Christian Lindner. He has a few other well-known politicians on offer, including the busy and somewhat tired Merkel double, Ursula Wanecki, and an Obama double.
Florstedt is certain that there are thousands of people who look like Olaf Scholz or Annalena Baerbock. But that alone is usually not enough. People often have to be pointed out by friends or family about the similarities and then apply. “The appearance of a double has to match the original.” In addition to age, size, shape and hair color, the shape of the head and face are the most important features: eyes, lips, nose – everything has to be right. “I’m very, very critical. I only take the best,” Florstedt describes his selection process. “Out of 100 applications I can throw 90 in the bin.”
Up to 2000 euros per performance
When asked why no one has reported so far, Florstedt replies: “I suspect many are afraid that they will be messed up on social media. Back then, with Merkel, it wasn’t that extreme.”
Florstedt’s doubles are mainly booked for commercials, satirical shows and company events such as Christmas and company parties. Depending on the event, a double earns EUR 800 to EUR 2,000 per appearance. “It’s very, very different in some cases.” Will there still be something with a Scholz double now that the politician is chancellor? “I do not give up hope.”
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