Collien Fernandes.Image: www.imago-images.de
Actress Collien Fernandes criticized Christian Ulmen’s lawyers after a verdict – and demanded an apology from her ex-husband.
Jul 6, 2026, 4:45 a.mJul 6, 2026, 4:45 a.m
After a press law ruling at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court, the actress Collien Fernandes sharply criticized her ex-husband Christian Ulmen and his lawyers because of a press release. She reported increasing threats against her. “The hate messages are increasing again, as are the death threats,” said Fernandes in a public stage conversation with the “Tagesspiegel”. She accused the other side of having fueled the public debate, even though the court had assessed the core allegations as “undisputed”.
With a view to her almost 15-year marriage to Elmen, Fernandes said that she can hardly remember their shared past in a carefree way. “The whole life so far feels like a big lie.” She takes detours to avoid places that are associated with memories.
The press release from Ulmen’s lawyers after this verdict described the debate after the verdict as “disproportionate follow-up reporting bordering on hysteria in all media.”
Fernandes demands an apology
Fernandes now told the “Tagesspiegel”: “That’s unbelievable. This shows that the perpetrator still doesn’t understand what he actually did.” The public outrage, “or as he says, hysteria,” is “a response to his undisputed actions.” Fernandes demanded an apology. “How can he now risk the life of the person he did all this to? How about an apology instead?” she said.
Ulmen’s lawyer Simon Bergmann explained that even if Fernandes’ security situation had worsened, “the causality between the statements in our press release and the alleged threats is disputed.”
“If Ms. Fernandes is actually threatened, this has nothing to do with the content of our press release.” The law firm also announced that it had also received death threats. Investigations are underway in two cases. “Ms Fernandes cannot claim to have the threat situation exclusively for herself,” said lawyer Simon Bergmann to the “Tagesspiegel”.
After Fernandes filed a complaint against Ulmen, the Potsdam public prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation on initial suspicion of bodily harm as part of domestic violence. The allegations of “digital violence” are still being examined.
Fernandes: Life so far “feels like a big lie”
When asked when justice would be achieved for her, Fernandes said that judgments also had a “psychological component”. “If nothing happens – because of the weak law, then as a perpetrator you feel as if you haven’t actually done anything bad.”
With a view to her almost 15-year marriage to Elmen, Fernandes said that she can hardly remember their shared past in a carefree way. “The whole life so far feels like a big lie.” She takes detours to avoid places that are associated with memories.
In the current situation, DIY helps. She has “bought an old house” that she is currently renovating and is “currently in the hardware store a lot.” “Sometimes it’s good to just pick up a hammer.”
The interview published by the newspaper is based on a stage conversation. Collien Fernandes was at the Tagesspiegel Capital Talk in the Deutsches Theater on June 28, 2026.