Our exclusive interview with travel, fashion, beauty and food influencer, as well as a GQ Insider and Model Hendrik Giesler, who also has travelled to more than 26 countries.
Hendrik became an overnight sensation during the 2014 World Cup when someone mistakenly thought he was the mystery #Germanboy and told the world.
During the finals, Germany vs. Argentina, the camera crossed to a young man in the stadium with a German flag on his cheeks and the sexy young man caught the attention of all Germany. Everyone wanted to find the mystery guy, and the hunt began. Soon the global power of the internet found him. Unaware what was happening online, Hendrik woke and was surprised to find 45,000 new followers on Instagram (by end of day it had grown to 53,000) and had media contacting him relentlessly. “My photo was in all of the media; TV, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumbler. It was so overwhelming as I grew up in a village of 500 people. All of a sudden the world knew who I was and where I lived,” shared Hendrik. This crazy media blitz became the birth of his career as a digital influencer.
The young influencer has travelled to over 26 countries so far, which includes Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Morocco, Cape Town, Marrakesh, USA, France, Spain, Bali, Thailand, Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Croatia, Montenegro, England, Norway, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Columbia. His fans turn to him for travel, fashion, and beauty advice daily.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Exciting
Empathetic
Outgoing
Who is your biggest supporter?
My sister, because she’s as excited about the things I do as I am and she gives me good advice with her perspective on life.
Best advice ever given?
We can’t change our past, but we can change our future.
When and how did you started as an Influencer on Social media?
I became an overnight sensation during the 2014 World Cup. During the finals, Germany vs. Argentina, the camera crossed to a young man in the stadium with a German flag on his cheeks and the good-looking young man caught the attention of all Germany. Everyone wanted to find the mystery guy, and the hunt began. Soon the global power of the internet found him. Unaware what was happening online, I woke and was surprised to find 45,000 new followers on Instagram (by the end of the day it had grown to 53,000) and had media contacting me relentlessly. Someone mistakenly thought I was the mystery #Germanboy and told the world.
My photo was in all of the media; TV, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumbler. It was so overwhelming as I grew up in a village of 500 people. All of a sudden the world knew who I was and where I lived.
When did you start modeling?
2017 in Sydney
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what’s not?
It’s fun to work with a bunch of creative people and see how everyone works together with one goal. Traveling is fun too!
What isn’t fun about modeling is that not everyone likes your look and that you’re sometimes more like a product than a human being. That sucks and tests your confidence.
What modeling projects have you done?
I had a video and photo-shoot for BALR. In New York, an underwear campaign for aussieBum and I’m the face for the hair brand Hanz de Fuko
In Germany, I did a lot of e-commerce campaigns like Def-shop.com, and I have also modeled in Hong Kong and Singapore.
What does fashion mean to you?
You have been given your look, and your name by your parents and I think your sense of fashion is something that is only yours and something you can decide yourself as opposed to it being given to you.
Now on the Traveling side, we know you love traveling. Tell us your Top 3 countries to travel?
• Australia – A country where I could see myself growing old
• Bali – Western and Asian cultures mixed together
• South Africa – So special and beautiful
And which countries or cities are still on your bucket list?
Countries: Iceland, Russia, Kenya, Maldives, Caribbean, and all of South America (Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil).
Cities: Mexico City, Rio, Johannesburg, Seoul, and Capri.
Which place that you have visited do you think changed you in a particular way, maybe motivation or see a different reality, etc.?
I grew up in a small town in the middle of Germany. A perfect town where everybody has their own house, their car, a job and nobody lives on the street. Traveling through South Africa showed me that not everyone has the luxury of growing up as I did. Parents have to work very hard to feed their kids, and some kids have to work to support their parents. But it also showed me that not having money doesn’t mean that there is no happiness. Traveling defined the word “happiness” for me.
Who is your favorite Actor/Actress? And why?
Favorite Actress is Emma Stone – I just like to see her. She is in some way awkward but has a really nice personality I think.
Favorite Actor is Daniel Radcliffe – He gave my favorite childhood character a face, and that’s why he’s my favorite. HAHA
3 things you can’t leave your house without?
Water bottle – I’m scared of getting thirsty
Sunglasses
Headphones
What music do you like?
It depends on my mood, but I like indie pop/rock or deep house (very German).
Your idea of a perfect Sunday is?
A day full of activities with friends, like hiking, going to a concert, chilling by the beach, being spontaneous and laughing a lot.
How’s a normal day in your life?
I wake up at 7-8 without an alarm. I go out and get myself a coffee, and as I prepare my coffee, I listen to good music, and always start singing. Then I prepare breakfast. While I eat, I check
Once I am ready for the day, I usually post a picture on Instagram. The day can always vary depending on commitments but often the usual workday includes emails, meetings with people and brands, gym. Or I could have a photo shoot. To relax after dinner, I read or watch TV.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy meal is a green smoothie and a salad – Arugula with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, olive oil, salt pepper and chicken.
And is your favorite cheat food?
Frozen Yoghurt with ALL kinds of toppings.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still loving life and being even more inspirational for young people.
Do you support any charities?
Yes, I support the NABU in Germany, which supports and protects the nature in and out of Germany.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram @hendrikgiesler
Youtube @hendrikgiesler
[email protected]
Quote: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – From: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Holiday Destination: Bali
Food: Japanese
Drink: Coke Zero
Celebrity Crush: Selena Gomez
Song: Rockabye – Clean Bandit
Sports Team: FC Bayern
Movie: Harry Potter and La La Land
