Lana Kaiser: The unforgettable journey of a trans woman and her fight for acceptance

Lana Kaiser: The unforgettable journey of a trans woman and her fight for acceptance

In September 2018, former casting show participant Lana Kaiser, previously known as Daniel Küblböck, disappeared while on a cruise off the coast of Newfoundland. Loud Explosive Surveillance video showed a person jumping overboard. The Canadian Coast Guard soon called off the search because the chances of survival in the frigid North Atlantic were minimal. Two years later, in 2021, Lana was officially declared dead.

A final voice message from Daniel, who posed as Lana, brought new perspectives to the story. In this voice message she expressed her desire to leave the ship and fly to New York. Shortly before her disappearance, Lana publicly came out as a trans woman, which was met with mixed reactions from society.

Excerpt from her life

The ARD documentary series “The Küblböck Story – Your Lana Kaiser” now sheds light on the various facets of Lana’s life. This three-part documentary offers insights into her life story and addresses the coming-of-age story of a teenager from Lower Bavaria who had the dream of becoming a star. She gained fame through the casting show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” (DSDS) and made herself visible as a trans woman shortly before her disappearance.

The documentary, which will be available in the ARD media library on August 26th, is told from the perspective of family, friends and companions. Among those involved are well-known personalities such as drag queen Olivia Jones, DSDS participant Gracia Baur and celebrities Riccardo Simonetti and Lucy Diakovska. The documentary not only sheds light on Lana's life, but also the undiscovered sides of the talent show phenomenon of the early 2000s.

A legacy of change

Lana Kaiser's story goes beyond her person. It is seen as a symbol of the struggle for identity and acceptance. Her queer identity perspective has inspired many misunderstood young people and advocates for more diversity. On August 27th, the day Lana would have turned 40, the first part of the documentary will be broadcast on Erste, which reinforces the tragedy of her fate and increases public interest.

This documentary not only provides a look at her personal journey, but also addresses societal challenges. Lana Kaiser remains alive in the memories of many people and is recognized as an important figure in the fight for diversity. Further information is in the ARD media library available.