We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Manuela Horn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Manuela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Honestly, the signs were there early — I was that kid who turned every family gathering into a full-blown variety show. When I look back at childhood videos, I’m usually in the background (or, let’s be honest, the foreground) clowning around, singing, yodeling, or demanding an audience for whatever “production” I just invented.

My poor mother wasn’t exactly thrilled with my ambitions to become a performer — she imagined a nice, stable profession, not her daughter galloping around in dirndls yodeling at strangers. So I had to work hard (and sneak a few performances in) until my mid-20s, when I finally packed my bags, left home, and followed my own path. Best. Decision. Ever

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Yodelayeehuuuuu to youuuuu! I’m Manuela Horn, born and raised in Austria — home of mountains, music, and people who think yodeling is a completely normal breakfast activity. I’m known as The Oktoberfest Queen and, in the cabaret world, as The Yodeling Dominatrix — a nearly seven-foot-tall spectacle in heels, blending comedy, rock ’n’ roll, and just the right amount of mischief.

From the time I was little, I loved making people laugh, sing, and pay attention — usually by clowning around until they did. My mother wasn’t exactly thrilled about my dreams of becoming a performer (she pictured something a little more… stable), but by my mid-20s, I packed my bags, left home, and followed my instincts. Best decision ever.

Today, through my company Haus of Horn Productions, I create immersive themed shows that celebrate joy, humor, and connection — from my rockin’ Oktoberfest band Manuela & The Brew Crew, to my cheeky Christmas project The Slay Bells, to my family show Kinderfest, and my speakeasy-style cabaret Madam M’s Bridge Club.

What sets me apart is that my shows aren’t just performances — they’re experiences. I blend music, comedy, and audience participation into a wild, welcoming atmosphere where everyone becomes part of the fun. Whether it’s a beer hall, cabaret stage, or Christmas market, my mission is simple: to make people laugh, sing, and feel like life is a little more wunderbar.

I’m proud of having built a career that’s 100% powered by passion and personality — and for keeping yodeling alive in the most unexpected places! I want people to know that when they book The Oktoberfest Queen or any Haus of Horn production, they’re not just hiring entertainment — they’re getting an experience that lifts spirits, unites strangers, and leaves everyone saying, “Did that really just happen?!”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I studied theater, I imagined stepping out into the world ready to play all kinds of roles. But when I started auditioning, the feedback was… let’s say, memorable. Directors would laugh and say, “You’re wonderful, but how can we ever find a Romeo tall enough for you?”

It was frustrating — I’d spent four years studying my craft, and suddenly it felt like my height was a career obstacle. So, one day, I decided to flip the script — quite literally. I walked into the red-light district in Frankfurt, Germany, bought myself a pair of eight-inch heels, looked in the mirror — a glorious seven feet tall — and said, “You think I’m too tall, world? I’ll show you too tall!”

And that’s the moment everything changed. Instead of trying to fit into someone else’s mold, I created my own market. My height, my humor, my energy — they became my brand. People now hire me for the very thing I was once told to hide.

So yes — resilience sometimes means turning what others see as “too much” into your greatest superpower. I didn’t shrink to fit the stage — I built a bigger one.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, it’s all about the laughter and smiles. That’s how I recharge my batteries — not from coffee or sleep, but from the joy radiating off an audience. There’s something magical about being able to take people out of their everyday thoughts and transport them into a world of music, laughter, and play — where they can let their inner child come out to dance, sing, and be silly for a while.

That’s the power that drives me as an artist. I love dreaming up new songs, games, and interactive moments that make people forget their worries and simply feel good. I often say I’m very lucky that I never had to grow up — I just kept going to kindergarten! And honestly, that’s what my career has felt like for the last few decades: a joyful playground where I get to invite people of all ages to come play, laugh, and remember how wonderful it feels to be alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.manuelahorn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manuelahornofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1ManuelaHorn/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-horn-2155b167
• Twitter: https://x.com/ManuelaHorn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ManuelaHorn
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/manuela-horn
• Other: www.oktoberfestqueen.com
  https://linktr.ee/manuelahorn

Image Credits

photos by Ian Phares, Tony Chu and Ji Ji Lee