Martina "Tini" Stoessel: Violetta now sings live and solo

Even as a child in Buenos Aires, Martina Stoessel was fascinated by telenovelas: "I was particularly drawn to the show 'Patito feo'," she tells event. "And I was crazy about the high school musical dance movies back then. I knew all the songs and spent endless hours performing them to my family. In general, I felt most comfortable when I was allowed to sing and dance." Stoessel learned to play the piano at an early age, did musical comedy, musical theater and took dance and singing lessons. Not least thanks to her father Alejandro, who once created the telenovela "Patito feo", she was given a supporting role in it. However, she made her breakthrough as Violetta Castillo in the telenovela "Violetta", which ran for no less than 240 episodes over three seasons. The highlight: while telenovelas had previously tended to be produced for older target groups, this first teen telenovela hit like a bomb. Thanks to its broadcast on the Disney Channel, teenagers all over the world were able to share in the excitement of the main character Violetta, who still had to find her way in life - but also in love. Sometimes with extremely protracted mix-ups and contrived coincidences.

"Social media has changed everything"

Martina Stoessel also benefited from the boom in social media. "It's changed everything, especially as I can be even closer to my fans this way," enthuses Tini. "I do allow myself a social media break from time to time, but as a means of mass communication, channels like YouTube are brilliant. On my channel, I show what's going on behind the scenes in my life." Like Justin Bieber, the Argentinian high-flyer owes her success to the many fans who welcome her in every country. Her next statement could also be straight out of a telenovela: "The only negative fan experience is when I can't be with them."

In times when kids not only dream of stardom, but can also make it a reality thanks to Twitter, musical.ly and the like, Tini would not stand in the way of her own child: "I would tell my daughter or son to do what makes them happiest. I would support them just as much as an actor, singer or dancer as I would a doctor, vet, scientist, producer or fashion designer. You should always follow your heart, because that's where all the answers lie."