Actor from soap opera - Julia Wiedemann discusses the importance of acting in soccer.
Julia Wiedemann, a daily soap star from "Alles was zählt," is no stranger to the football field. According to her, acting skills are essential for professional athletes. "I believe you need roughly 10 to 20 percent acting talent for that," she says, gearing up for the European Championship this Friday. "Faking it every now and then isn't a bad thing, especially in the district league where there's no video evidence. It's quite useful in such a scenario."
The 28-year-old actress plays the role of Lucy Ziegler in "AWZ" and is also a player for Hertha Rheidt, a district league team in Bonn. As a center-back, she reveals that she routinely raises her hand even if she's unsure if the throw-in is in favor of her team. "I also argue with the referee and try to persuade him to agree with my perception. However, this is only when I'm confident I'm right and the referee is just blowing the whistle," she shares.
Does she remember any memorable instances involving actors at the European Championship or World Cup? "Neymar is quite the actor, but nothing particular comes to mind," she says. "But, he certainly is good at rolling around on the grass after a light touch."
Wiedemann only occasionally employs her acting abilities on the field, she says. "I try not to play unethically. While there are minor hidden fouls, I definitely don't lie down on the ground without a valid reason."
She claims that her roles as a footballer and actress have mutually benefited each other. "The athlete in me helps me stay determined and never give up while believing I can win even if we're trailing in the 90th minute. The camaraderie is also crucial, focusing on each other and supporting one another," she says. "Dialogues during filming are similar to passes in the game; you have to accept and process them. The actress has taught me to pretend something that is not quite real, such as if I foul, I can convince others that it was nothing."
"Alles was zählt" airs on RTL from 7:05 pm to 7:40 pm, Monday through Friday.
