No Angels | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Germany |
| Genres | |
| Works | No Angels discography |
| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Members | |
| Past members | |
| Website | noangels |
No Angels are an all-female pop group formed in 2000 during thedebut season ofthe German adaptation of the talent seriesPopstars. Originally a quintet, consisting ofNadja Benaissa,Lucy Diakovska,Sandy Mölling,Vanessa Petruo, andJessica Wahls, the band quickly became one of the most commercially successful pop acts in German music history. Their debut single, "Daylight in Your Eyes" (2001), reached number one in several European countries and is among the best-selling singles in Germany. Their first album,Elle'ments (2001), likewise topped the charts and initiated a series of number-one releases, major tours, and industry awards.[1]
In the years that followed, No Angels solidified their position as a leading pop group with the albumsNow... Us! (2002) andPure (2003). The group disbanded temporarily in late 2003 but reunited in 2007 in a modified lineup to release their fourth studio albumDestiny, after which they represented Germany at theEurovision Song Contest 2008.[2] AfterWelcome to the Dance (2009) underperformed commercially, the group became inactive once more in 2010.[3] Since 2021, the quartet has resumed activity with anniversary projects and new releases, including the albums20 (2021) andIt's Christmas (2025) as well as increasing touring engagements.
No Angels have won threeECHOs, aWorld Music Award, aNRJ Music Award, twoComets, aBambi and aGoldene Kamera, among others. They are widely regarded as a significant pop-cultural phenomenon of the 2000s and, with four number-one hits, four number-one albums and record sales of more than 5.0 million, the most successful German girl group to date.[4] Beyond chart success, they attracted attention for their diverse lineup, visual identity, and public engagement.[5] Their commercial achievements, influence on teenage and pop culture, and lasting presence in the German music market have established them as one of the defining acts of thetalent show era in the German-speaking world.[6][7]
The members of No Angels were selected on theRTL2 channel's first series ofPopstars, areality talent show which set about producing a five-piece girl group. Acquired by Tresor TV television producer Holger Roost-Macias at theMIPTV Media Market event inCannes, France, in 2000, the series was the third adaptation of the format following both an Australian and a New Zealand version.[8] In August and September of the same year, over 4,300 hopefuls turned up to auditions inHamburg,Berlin,Frankfurt,Leipzig,Cologne,Oberhausen,Stuttgart andMunich which required both singing and dancing experience.[9] The judges consisted of Dutch entertainerSimone Angel, concert booker Mario M. Mendrzycki and Rainer Moslener, anA&R director ofPolydor Records.[9]
32 out of 200 girls eventually made it from the local recall shows toMallorca, Spain, to get trained in singing, dancing, and fitness. While the judges continued eliminating two or three girls each day with the help of choreographerDetlef Soost and British vocal coach Robert Bicknel, eleven finalists remained and were sent home to prepare.[10] After a final elimination round,Nadja Benaissa,Lucy Diakovska,Sandy Mölling,Vanessa Petruo andJessica Wahls were chosen, and signed a recording contract with Polydor.[8] Managed by Joy Berhanu during their first year, the girls were namedNo Angels following a publictelevoting and moved in together near Munich.[10] With the final members of the group in place, the program followed the group during its recording sessions, photo and music video shoots and other promotional commitments such as showcases and instores. The show concluded with the band's first public live performance atThe Dome at theDortmunder Westfalenhalle in February 2001.[8]
After weeks of recording, No Angels released their debut single, "Daylight in Your Eyes" on 5 February 2001. The song instantly entered the top position on theAustrian,German andSwiss Singles and Airplay Charts, making it one of the most successful debuts of the year.[11][12][13] Selling over one million copies, the song also proved to be a hit outsideGerman-speaking Europe when it entered the singles charts of France, Latvia, Poland and the United Kingdom, and even became a number-one success in Brazil, and Estonia.[14] Although an alternate version of the original music video was filmed for the North American market the following year, both the video and the song saw minor commercial success overseas. However, "Daylight in Your Eyes" peaked at number 36 on theBillboardHot Singles Sales chart in June 2002.[15]
The band released their debut album,Elle'ments. Involving production by German producersThorsten Brötzmann,Leslie Mandoki, andPeter Ries,Elle'ments also entered the Austrian, German and Swiss Albums Chart at number-one.[12][13][16] No Angels broke records for becoming the "first act to ever debut at the top position in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland with both its debut single and debut album."[17] The album would go on to sell more than one million copies worldwide, making it the biggest-selling German album of 2001.[18]Elle'ments was eventually certifiedtriple platinum andseptuplicate gold by theIFPI, and earned the band several internationally acclaimed prizes such as aBambi, twoECHO Awards and aWorld Music Award.[18][19]
Riding a wave of publicity and hype, the group's second single, "Rivers of Joy", became a top ten hit, while third single, "There Must Be an Angel", acover version of the 1985 hit by British pop duoEurythmics, continued the group's high record sales by topping the charts once again in Austria and Germany.[11][12] The last single released fromElle'ments was adouble A-side of album cut "When the Angels Sing", and "Atlantis", a duet with the song's original performerDonovan. The band had re-recorded the song for theclosing credits of theWalt Disney Feature Animation pictureAtlantis: The Lost Empire. It became a top five entry in Germany, and was subsequently certified Gold.[11][18][20] Following this and two encounters as the opening act for the German leg of bothDJ Bobo andWestlife's 2001 concert tours, No Angels embarked on their first own concert tour in October 2001. Compiling more than 30 dates, the tour concluded in December 2001 with all shows reportedly being sold out.[21]
In June 2002, No Angels released their second album,Now... Us!, which featured co-writes by all members and received critical acclaim from many critics who believed the band would not last past their first album.[22][23] The album debuted at number one on the German Album Chart and at number two and four on the Austrian and Swiss albums chart respectively, and was eventually certifiedplatinum and doublegold by theIFPI.[18] Producers such asMousse T. consulted onNow... Us!, whose media-critical leading single "Something About Us", penned by band member Petruo, became the group's third non-consecutive number-one hit in Austria and Germany within a period of 16 months.[24]Further singles released from the album includedLatin pop ballad "Still in Love with You", which reached the top five and was awarded aNRJ Music Award the following year,[25] as well as Mousse T.-producedfunk track "Let's Go to Bed", the band's first release to miss the German top ten.[26]
Following an exclusiveswing concert at theBerlin Tränenpalast in October, No Angels soon followed with a DVD and a live album, titledWhen the Angels Swing, featuring their biggest hits and selected songs from their first two albums, re-arranged byGrammy Award-nominated jazz musicianTill Brönner.[27] Critically acclaimed by critics, the album reached number nine of the German Albums Chart, eventually going gold.[18] In November, the girls embarked on their second national concert tour, theFour Seasons Tour, playing sell-out shows in theatres across German-speaking Europe. Acts such asB3 and theSugababes served as their support.[28]
Soon after the girls experienced a bit of turbulence when Jessica Wahls announced she was taking a break from the band to give birth to her first child. Although the girls agreed on Jessica's return the following year and Wahls was positive of a re-join after her daughter's birth in March 2003, No Angels' management eventually decided on her departure in July 2003 as the group had equally successful went on as a quartet.[29] While the singer accepted a recording contract as a solo artist with the group's label, Sandy Mölling later noted Jessica's pregnancy marked "the beginning of the end of No Angels".[29]
In early 2003, the remaining four members of No Angels began intensifying work on their third regular album. Encouraged to exercise more self-control on the longplayer, the band took over responsibility in recording and selecting songs to guarantee a more personal effort — a step that challenged criticism and growing scepticism among the band's labelCheyenne Records and recording companyPolydor.[30] TitledPure, the album was eventually released in August 2003 and became the band's third number-one album in Germany.[31] Sporting a more mature side ofpop music, it earned them their best reactions yet, drawing comparisons toMadonna's albumRay of Light (1998) as well as other female groups such asAll Saints and theSugababes.[32] With a total of about 150,000 copies sold however, it failed to achieve the success of its two best-selling predecessors, still goinggold.[33] Thepop rock-influenced leading single "No Angel (It's All in Your Mind)" became the group's fourth non-consecutive number-one single in Germany and seventh top ten hit in Austria,[34] while mediterran "Someday" andR&B-driven "Feelgood Lies" both reached the top five of the charts.[35][36]
Further planned single releases off the album never materialised. On 7 September 2003, the quartet announced that they would not come together for a new No Angels project in 2004 due to lasting exhaustion and instead were preparing their official disbandment towards the end of the year.[37][38] While the media began a never-ending speculation about the reasons for their split and the pro and contra of a "creative pause", the girls and their management arranged the cancellation of all dates of their scheduled 2004Pure Acoustic Tour.[39] Even so, the band agreed on releasing a final album,The Best of No Angels, in December 2003. Apart from a collection of all singles, the band had released between the years of 2001 and 2003, thecompilation album also contained a reworked version of one of the debut album tracks, "Reason". Involving a re-joined Jessica Wahls, it was released as the band's final single before their split and became another top ten success for the group.[40][41] Acharity single featuring the band's vocals, "Do They Know It's Christmas?", was released simultaneously and reached number three on theGerman singles chart.[42]
After a farewell concert in theMunichOlympiahalle on 28 November, several promotional television appearances, and a privateunplugged performance in the MunichP1 club on 12 December 2003, No Angels each went their separate ways, concentrating on their individual solo careers in music, theatre, television and film.[40] Alive compilation of theirP1 concert, titledAcoustic Angels, would become their final release on the Cheyenne label in July 2004.[43]
In the spring of 2006,Lucy Diakovska initiated contact with her former bandmates with the aim of reuniting the group.[44] WhileVanessa Petruo declined the invitation in order to continue pursuing her solo career in music and film,[38] Sandy Mölling, Nadja Benaissa, and Jessica Wahls agreed to the proposal on the condition that they could first fulfill their existing solo commitments.[44] The reunited members began working on new material in secrecy, preparing for a potential comeback.[44] Although former manager andPopstars producer Holger Roost-Macias expressed interest in collaborating with the group again, the quartet opted to move forward independently.[44] They secured the rights to the band's name that were previously held by Roost-Macias and subsequently signed an artist contract with the Domestic Division of Universal Music Germany.[44] In the summer of 2006, Benaissa, Diakovska, Mölling and Wahls appeared as guest judges onPopstars – Neue Engel braucht das Land, the fifth season ofPopstars.[45]
Following several weeks of public speculation regarding a potential reunion, an official press conference held on 31 January 2007 confirmed that No Angels had officially reformed and were actively working on a new studio album.[46] Despite receiving positive media attention, the reunion struggled to replicate the commercial success and widespread popularity of the band’s earlier years.[47] Their first commercial release in years,Destiny, released in April 2007, received a lukewarm reception from music critics,[48] and debuted at number four in Germany, marking the band’s first regular studio album to miss the top spot.[47] While the album's lead single "Goodbye to Yesterday" still made it to the top five on the German Singles Chart, follow-up "Maybe" and double A-single "Amaze Me"/"Teardrops" underperformed commercially, becoming the band’s lowest-charting singles to date.[49] In March 2008, the album was re-released asDestiny Reloaded, including previously unreleased songs,remixes andB-sides. In fall 2007, No Angels produced the theme song, "Life Is a Miracle" and a music video for theWarner Bros. animated featureLittle Dodo.[50]
In January 2008, it was announced that the group had qualified for theGrand Prix Vorentscheid, the German national pre-selection of theEurovision Song Contest 2008.[51] Following several weeks of promotional appearances, No Angels entered the competition in March withRemee-and-Troelsen-produced "Disappear", competing against all-male groupsMarquess andCinema Bizarre, and singers Tommy Reeve and Carolin Fortenbacher. Widely considered as early favourites by the media, the band eventually finished first, having earned tight 50,5% of the audience vote over Fortenbacher in the second and final election round.[2][51] Released on 29 February 2008, "Disappear" reached number four in Germany, where it became the band's biggest-selling single in years.[52] With Germany being one of the biggest financial contributors to theEuropean Broadcasting Union, No Angels were allowed to skip the contest's semi-finals and automatically qualified for competition with 24 other countries in the finals of the ESC in May 2008.[53] An estimated 100 million fans watched the final contest, and viewers from all 43 participating nations voted for their favourite performers via text message and telephone.[54] No Angels eventually ranked 23rd place out of the 25 countries that participated with a total of 14 points – taking 12 points from Bulgaria, band member Lucy Diakovska's native country, and 2 points from Switzerland only. Only the United Kingdom and Poland placed below the four-member female band.[54][55]
Devastated by their performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, the band abandoned plans for recording sessions immediately following the competition and subsequently went on hiatus..[56] Having managed themselves since their reformation, they signed a deal with Khalid Schröder's Kool Management in mid-2008, and started work on their fifth studio albumWelcome to the Dance, involving a smaller team of North American musicians such asThe Writing Camp,Adam Messinger,Nasri Atweh, Bill Blast, and Aaron Pearce.[57][58] Taking the group's work further into thedance andelectronic genres, it was released on 11 September 2009, following several delays after band memberNadja Benaissa's charge of grievous bodily harm and temporary imprisonment in April 2010.[59] Released to generally mixed reviews by critics,[60] the album debuted at number 26 in Germany where it became both the band's lowest-charting and -selling album yet.Welcome to the Dance's first and only single "One Life", however, reached number 15 on theGerman Singles Chart.[61][62] Plans for a second single, "Derailed", were eventually scrapped for unknown reasons.[52][63]
In May 2010, the band began their five-date acoustic An Intimate Evening With Tour in Munich, their first concert tour in eight years. The stripped-downclub tour was inspired by their2003 acoustic concert, and saw the band performing songs from all of their five studio albums.[64] Benaissa did not take part in the tour as she had called in sick a week before, prompting the remaining trio to re-arrange their set at the last minute.[65] Generally well received by the media,[65] the tour was initially said to be extended in 2011.[66] In September 2010, Benaissa announced her departure from the group following her two-year suspended sentence and 300 hours of community service a month before, leaving the band as a trio.[3] While the remaining three members of the band were said to release a live album in 2011,[67] this project and other plans announced for the tenth anniversary of the band failed to materialize in favor of individual solo projects.[68] In 2014, Diakovska confirmed that the band had dissolved again with no new commercial projects planned.[69]
Following the death of Diakovska's mother in February 2020, Benaissa, Diakovska, Mölling, and Wahls reconnected after several years, which led to initial considerations regarding the 20th anniversary of No Angels.[70] In 2020,BMG Rights Management acquired the catalog of the band's former labelCheyenne Records.[71] On 27 November 2020, following their absence from digital streaming platforms for five years, No Angels' backup catalog from 2000 to 2004 was issued online, accompanied by a digital campaign as well as the release of high-quality versions of their original music videos.[71] Released to strong streaming numbers, a revived interest from the media and their fan base prompted Benaissa, Diakovska, Mölling and Wahls to launch an officialInstagram account through which they began sharing private photos and hosted several livestreams in the weeks following.[72] With BMG interested in issuing updated versions of their early catalog, the quartet re-formed in January 2021 to record new vocals for aCelebration Version of "Daylight in Your Eyes" along with producer and managerChristian Geller.[73] Commemorating with the 2001 release of the song, it was released on 12 February 2021 and reached the top ten of theGerman Download Chart.[74]
Following their first performance in a decade onSchlagerchampions 2021,[75] the quartet signed a new recording deal with BMG and began work on20, their first full-length album release since 2009, with plans to expand the anniversary celebrations.[76] Released on 4 June 2021, No Angels recorded four original songs and sixteen updated versions of songs that were selected from their first three studio albums for20.[76] Produced by Geller, the album received largely mixed reviews from critics, some of whom complimented the more cohesive, mature production, while others questioned the overall value of the project.[77][78]20 debuted at number one on theGerman Albums Chart, becoming No Angels' first chart topper in nearly two decades, and reached the top ten in Austria and Switzerland.[79] A second single, the Celebration Version of "Still in Love with You," was released the same month, followed by "Mad Wild" and "When the Angels Sing" in August and October, respectively. Also in October 2021, the band was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Preis für Popkultur, recognizing their lasting impact and significant contributions to the pop music scene.[80] In June 2022, the band kicked off theirCelebration Tour at theParkbühne Wuhlheide. Continued in September 2022, the tour compromised ten concerts throughout Germany and concluded on 8 October 2022.[81][82] The Berlin concert was subsequently nominated the following year in the Most Impressive Live Show category at the 2023 Preis für Popkultur.[83]
In 2023 and 2024, No Angels reunited for a few festival concerts and one-off events, including a special guest appearance on German hip hop groupK.I.Z'sInternational Women's Day concert at theMercedes-Benz Arena in March 2003.[84] In January 2024, the band announced its intention to record music for a new album during the summer.[85][86] Recording sessions took place between July and August, with Christian Geller once again taking over production.[87][88][89] As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, the group embarked on theStill in Love with You – Summer 2025 festival tour, which began in June 2025 inWolfhagen and concluded in October 2025 inSursee.[90] The tour earned widespread praise for the band's energetic, nostalgic performances.[91] In October 2025, No Angels announced that they would release the material recorded the previous year on their eighth studio album,It's Christmas, the band's first Christmas album, through Geller'sStars by Edel label in November 2025.[92][93] "I Still Believe," the album's first single, was issued on 10 October 2025, also serving as theme song for the 30th RTL-Spendenmarathon.[94] That same month, the band announced that they are planning to go on tour again in 2026 as part of their TwentyFive Live 2026 tour.[95]
Concert tours
| Festival tours
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| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1LIVE Krone | Beste Newcomer | No Angels | Won | [97] |
| 2001 | Bambi | Pop National | No Angels | Won | [98] |
| 2001 | Bravo Otto | Superband Pop (Gold) | No Angels | Won | [99] |
| 2001 | Comet | Act National | No Angels | Won | [100] |
| 2001 | Comet | Newcomer National | No Angels | Nominated | [100] |
| 2001 | Comet | VIVA Zuschauercomet | No Angels | Nominated | [100] |
| 2001 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best German Act | No Angels | Nominated | [101] |
| 2001 | Top of the Pops Awards | Top Single Germany | "There Must Be an Angel" | Won | [102] |
| 2002 | 1LIVE Krone | Beste Band | No Angels | Won | [103] |
| 2002 | Amadeus Austrian Music Awards | Single des Jahres (international) | "Daylight in Your Eyes" | Nominated | [104] |
| 2002 | Bravo Otto | Superband Pop (Gold) | No Angels | Won | [105] |
| 2002 | Comet | VIVA Zuschauercomet | No Angels | Won | [106] |
| 2002 | Echo Music Prize | Gruppe Rock/Pop (national) | Elle'ments | Won | [107] |
| 2002 | Echo Music Prize | Rock-Pop-Single des Jahres (national) | "Daylight in Your Eyes" | Won | [107] |
| 2002 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best German Act | No Angels | Nominated | [108] |
| 2002 | Radio Regenbogen Awards | Aufsteiger des Jahres | No Angels | Won | [102] |
| 2002 | World Music Awards | Best Selling German Artist | No Angels | Won | [102] |
| 2003 | 1LIVE Krone | Beste Singles | "No Angels (It's All in Your Mind)" | Won | [109] |
| 2003 | Bravo Otto | Superband Pop (Silver) | No Angels | Won | [110] |
| 2003 | Comet | Band National | No Angels | Won | [111] |
| 2003 | Echo Music Prize | Gruppe Rock/Pop (national) | Now... Us! | Nominated | [112] |
| 2003 | Echo Music Prize | Musikvideo (national) | "Something About Us" | Won | [112] |
| 2003 | Echo Music Prize | Rock-Pop-Single des Jahres (national) | "Something About Us" | Nominated | [112] |
| 2003 | Goldene Kamera | Pop national | When the Angels Swing | Won | [113] |
| 2003 | NRJ Music Awards | Best German Song | "Still in Love with You" | Won | [114] |
| 2007 | Bayerischer Musiklöwe | Bestes Comeback | No Angels | Won | [115] |
| 2009 | Szenepreis | Song des Jahres (national) | "Disappear" | Won | [116] |
| 2010 | Szenepreis | Song des Jahres (national) | "One Life" | Won | [116] |
| 2011 | Szenepreis | Persönlichkeit des Jahres | No Angels | Nominated | [117] |
| 2021 | Goldene Henne | Musik | No Angels | Nominated | [118] |
| 2021 | Preis für Popkultur | Lifetime Achievement Award | No Angels | Won | [119] |
| 2023 | Preis für Popkultur | Beeindruckendste Liveshow | 20 Celebration – Eine Sommernacht in Berlin | Nominated | [83] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
