# Vanessa Mai industry challenges and experiences > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vanessa-mai-industry-challenges-and-experiences > Updated: 2026-08-15T03:21:43.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. German schlager singer Vanessa Mai has used her podcast, ‘Schön laut’, to discuss the professional and emotional challenges she faces within the music industry. Mai reported feeling excluded by older colleagues, describing instances where peers ignored her or made dismissive comments. She attributed this behavior to a competitive mentality where individuals believe “there can only be one.” She also noted feeling intimidated by Dieter Bohlen’s authoritarian treatment during his time as a jury member on ‘Deutschland sucht den Superstar’ in 2016. In subsequent discussions, Mai expanded on these themes by addressing the specific pressures and scrutiny faced by women in show business, particularly regarding age and appearance. She highlighted the emotional toll of these industry dynamics and the presence of large egos among older generations, noting that the stress of public life often requires her to seek privacy to cope. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Vanessa Mai discusses pressures and gender dynamics in the music industry Singer Vanessa Mai discusses the pressures of the Schlager industry, highlighting gender-based scrutiny and the competitive nature of show business in her podcast and recent interviews. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vanessa-mai-discusses-pressures-and-gender-dynamics-in-the-music-industry ### 2026-07-26: Vanessa Mai says older schlager peers exclude her, causing emotional distress Vanessa Mai says older schlager artists ignore and exclude her, causing emotional distress, while noting more support from younger colleagues. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vanessa-mai-says-older-schlager-peers-exclude-her-onstage --- Cite as: Vanessa Mai industry challenges and experiences. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vanessa-mai-industry-challenges-and-experiences