Germany's Next Topmodel season 14

The fourteenth season of Germany's Next Topmodel aired on ProSieben from February to May 2019.

Germany's Next Topmodel
Season 14
Judges
No. of contestants30
WinnerSimone Kowalski
No. of episodes16
Release
Original networkProSieben
Original release7 February (2019-02-07) –
23 May 2019 (2019-05-23)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 13
Next →
Season 15
List of episodes

The international destinations this cycle are Sölden, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Amsterdam and Paris.

The winner of this season was 21-year-old Simone Kowalski from Stade. Her prizes including a modeling contract worth €140,000 with ONEeins fab Management, a spread and cover in the German Harper's Bazaar, a €100,000 cash prize, a campaign for Michael Michalsky's parfum and for Palmolive.

Starting this season, there is no jury. This would remain unchanged for all the following seasons. Thomas Hayo and Michael Michalsky are not returning for their spots as judges, whilst the teams and battle concept are removed as well. Both Hayo and Michalsky's place at judging remained open for guest judges each week. However, Hayo remains as a recurring guest judge.

Contestants edit

(ages stated are at start of contest)[1]

Contestant Age Hometown Finish Place
Anastasiya Baskakova 21 Stuttgart Episode 2 30-27
Marlene Donner 19 Stuttgart
Debora do Nascimento Goulart 22 Berlin
Ann-Kathrin Grünewald 20 Haßfurt
Olivia Rhode 16 Munich Episode 3 26 (quit)
Maria Willhauk 19 Heilbronn 25-22
Naomi Ufelle 16 Vienna, Austria
Celine Hamann 19 Malchow
Loriane Glocke 24 Munich
Kim Dammer 18 Oberhausen Episode 4 21 (quit)
Joelle Juana Pascai-Quednau 23 Mechernich 20-18
Melina Lucht 19 Duisburg
Catharina Maranca 19 Dortmund
Leonela Hires 19 Vienna, Austria Episode 5 17
Luna Dzek Dukadjinac 21 Hann. Münden Episode 6 16
Enisa Bukvic 24 Hamburg Episode 7 15 (quit)
Jasmin Veit 'Joy' Cadete Rosado 18 Frankfurt 14 (DQ)
Melissa Hemberger 23 Rosenheim Episode 8 13
Justine Klippenstein 20 Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock Episode 9 12
Theresia Fischer 26 Hamburg Episode 10 11
Julia Helm 23 Illertissen Episode 11 10
Lena Lischewski 17 Essen Episode 12 9
Tatjana Wiedemann 22 Leipzig Episode 13 8
Sarah Almoril 20 Schlüchtern Episode 14 7
Caroline Krüger 21 Bremerhaven 6
Alicija Köhler 18 Lehre Episode 15 5
Vanessa Stanat 21 Bensheim 4 (quit)
Cäcilia Zimmer 18 Freiburg im Breisgau Episode 16 3
Sayana Ranjan 20 Grevenbroich 2
Simone Kowalski 21 Stade 1

Episode summaries edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
1961"Dinner mit Heidi"7 February 2019 (2019-02-07)

At the start of the new season, Heidi Klum met her Top 50 model contenders for a glittering dinner in Berlin. Then, she revealed that the girls have to walk in their first fashion show for designer Michael Michalsky. After the show, 30 girls got chosen.

1972"Schneeköniginnen"14 February 2019 (2019-02-14)

Heidi Klum traveled with her 30 finalists to Sölden, Austria. Then, the girls had their first challenge. They had to compete in a shoot, in two teams and in sexy ski outfits against each other. Heidi choose Sayana and Tatjana to be the leader of their group. The prize was that the winning team would moving into a luxury hotel, whilst the losing team had to move in a rustic hut.

The winning team was Tatjana's team. At the first main photo shoot with Kristian Schuller, the girls turned into radiant snow queens. And fashion designer Wolfgang Joop surprised the models with a professional runway teaching for the perfect appearance on the catwalk. At elimination, Catharina was eliminated but got a wildcard from Wolfgang and was saved. In the end, Anastasiya, Ann-Kathrin, Debora and Marlene were eliminated.

  • Challenge winner: Team Tatjana (Cäcilia Zimmer, Caroline Krüger, Celine Hamann, Julia Helm, Joelle Pascai-Quednau, Justine Klippenstein, Lena Lischewski, Leonela Hires, Loriane Glocke, Melissa Hemberger, Olivia Rhode, Sarah Almoril, Simone Kowalski, Tatjana Wiedemann & Theresia Fischer)
  • Wildcard: Catharina Maranca
  • Eliminated: Anastasiya Baskakova, Ann-Kathrin Grünewald, Debora Goulart & Marlene Donner
  • Featured photographer: Kristian Schuller
  • Special guest: Wolfgang Joop
1983"Sexy-Edition"21 February 2019 (2019-02-21)

The new week started with a photoshoot. The girls had to pose as farm girls with Jordan Barrett. After the photoshoot, the girls had a catwalk training with Heidi. Then, the girls had to walk against each other in a challenge. Each one girl of the teams.

The challenge has won by Team Sayana (Team Hütte). At elimination, Joelle was eliminated but got a wildcard from Ellen and was saved. In the end, Celine, Loriane, Maria and Naomi were eliminated.

  • Quit: Olivia Rhode
  • Challenge winner: Team Sayana (Alicija Köhler, Catharina Maranca, Enisa Bukvic, Jasmin Cadete Rosado, Kim Dammer, Luna Dukadjinac, Maria Willhauk, Naomi Ufelle, Melina Lucht, Sayana Ranjan & Vanessa Stanat)
  • Wildcard: Joelle Pascai Quednau
  • Eliminated: Celine Hamann, Loriane Glocke, Maria Willhauk & Naomi Ufelle
  • Featured photographer/special guest: Ellen von Unwerth
1994"Social Media Edition"28 February 2019 (2019-02-28)

The girls arrived in Los Angeles. But Kim decided to quit the competition for personal reason and Jasmin couldn't fly because of problems back at home. They met with Winnie Harlow after they arrived. Winnie told the girls that they gonna be divided into 2 teams for this week's challenge. The leaders of the 2 groups were Lena and Simone. They had an Instagram challenge, where the girls had to make an Insta-story in Hollywood Boulevard.

The winning team was Team Lena. They received clothes from Levi's when they arrived into the model villa. Then, the girls had an interview training with Julia Bauer. In this week's photoshoot the girls where dressed as alien stewardesses in which they were suspended in the air. Also, all of the photo where posted on Instagram and the girl who would get the most likes for her photo would be immune from elimination. At elimination, Enisa was immune for having the most likes for her photo. In the end, Catharina, Joelle and Melina were eliminated.

  • Quit: Kim Dammer
  • Challenge winner: Team Lena (Alicija Köhler, Cäcilia Zimmer, Enisa Bukvic, Julia Helm, Justine Klippenstein, Lena Lischewski, Leonela Hires, Sarah Almoril, Sayana Ranjan & Vanessa Stanat)
  • Immune: Enisa Bukvic
  • Eliminated: Catharina Maranca, Joelle Juana Pascai-Quednau & Melina Lucht
  • Featured photographer: Christian Anwander
  • Special guest: Julia Bauer & Winnie Harlow
2005"Das große Umstyling"7 March 2019 (2019-03-07)

Jasmin had arrived in Los Angeles. But the girls were not happy about that. This week was the big makeover. But with the help and advice, the girls were assisted by guest judge and Germany's Next Topmodel, season 9 winner Stefanie Giesinger. This week's photoshoot was the sedcard shoot. At the elimination, the girls walked in dresses from designer Michael Costello. But at the end of the catwalk, the girls had also to make a speech of their love for their own reflection. In the end, Leonela was eliminated.

2016"Haute Couture Edition"14 March 2019 (2019-03-14)

The week started with a casting for About You. Sayana and Simone were booked for the job. At the photoshoot, the girls had to pose in the desert and in pairs. After the shoot, the girls had a Haute couture walk training with topmodel Toni Garrn. At the elimination, Enisa, Justine, Luna and Vanessa landed in the bottom four. Enisa got a wildcard from Toni and was saved. In the end, Luna was eliminated.

  • Booked for job: Sayana Ranjan & Simone Kowalski
  • Bottom four: Enisa Bukvic, Justine Klippenstein, Luna Dzek Dukadjinac & Vanessa Stanat
  • Wildcard: Enisa Bukvic
  • Eliminated: Luna Dzek Dukadjinac
  • Featured photographer: Mario Schmolka
  • Special guest: Toni Garrn
2027"Das Nacktshooting"21 March 2019 (2019-03-21)

The week started with a visit from supermodel Gisele Bündchen. The girls were very pleased about that. On the next day, Enisa had a panic attack and decided to quit the competition. In their next photoshoot, the girls had to pose nude with puppies. The girls also wore jewelry worth $2.5 million. After the photoshoot, Alicija was booked for a job.

In the most shocking elimination yet, Jasmin was disqualified from the competition after getting involved in a physical altercation with Lena. After Jasmin left, Heidi announced that there will be no further elimination this week and no one else would be going home.

  • Quit: Enisa Bukvic
  • Booked for job: Alicija Köhler
  • Bottom two: Jasmin Cadete Rosado & Lena Lischewski
  • Disqualified: Jasmin Cadete Rosado
  • Eliminated: None
  • Featured photographer: Rankin
  • Special guest: Gisele Bündchen
2038"Casting Edition"28 March 2019 (2019-03-28)

The top 13 headed to Miami this week. Then, the girls had to do a casting marathon for 5 different clients.

After the casting marathon, the girls flew back to Los Angeles. In L.A., the girls had their next photoshoot. The girls had to jump as elegantly as possible from a three-meter tower into a swimming pool with a big bag and in bikinis from Heidi's own collection. On the next day, the girls had to walk in a fashion show for designer Christian Cowan. After that was the elimination. Julia, Melissa and Sayana landed in the bottom three. In the end, Melissa was eliminated, thus sparing Julia and Sayana.

  • Booked for job: Sarah Almoril, Simone Kowalski, Tatjana Wiedemann, Theresia Fischer & Vanessa Stanat
  • Bottom three: Julia Helm, Melissa Hemberger & Sayana Ranjan
  • Eliminated: Melissa Hemberger
  • Featured photographer: Chuck Grant
  • Special guest: Christian Cowan & Zara Larsson
2049"We love to entertain you!"4 April 2019 (2019-04-04)

The week started with a visit from moderator and entertainer Thomas Gottschalk. Alicija, Julia, Sarah and Vanessa were invited to a casting for the magazine ELLE. Alicija and Vanessa were booked for the job. In their next photoshoot, the girls had to pose in a circus with snakes. At elimination, the girls had to perform an act in front of an audience. In the end, Justine was eliminated.

  • Booked for job: Alicija Köhler & Vanessa Stanat
  • Eliminated: Justine Klippenstein
  • Featured photographer: Brian Bowen Smith
  • Special guest: Thomas Gottschalk
20510"Der Einzug in die Top 10"11 April 2019 (2019-04-11)

The week started with a dance teaching with Creative Director Thomas Hayo. The girls were also divided into 4 groups.

After that, Cäcilia and Vanessa were invited to a casting for NYLON magazine in Amsterdam. Cäcilia was booked for the job. On the next day, the girls had a video shoot inspired by John Travolta's "Saturday Night Fever". At the elimination, the girls had a David Bowie inspired fashion show. Lena and Theresia landed in the bottom two. In the end, Theresia was eliminated.

  • Booked for job: Cäcilia Zimmer
  • Bottom two: Lena Lischewski & Theresia Fischer
  • Eliminated: Theresia Fischer
  • Featured director: Lance Drake
  • Special guest: Thomas Hayo
20611"Boys Edition"18 April 2019 (2019-04-18)

The top 10 met with their co-partners for their next photoshoot and designer Michael Michalsky in the model villa. Michael Michalsky announced that the girls would each pose with a male model in their next photoshoot. On the next day, the girls had to pose with the male model in the rain. The girls also had a casting for John Frieda. Sarah and Simone were booked for the job. At elimination, Julia and Lena landed in the bottom two. In the end, Julia was eliminated.

  • Booked for job: Sarah Almoril & Simone Kowalski
  • Bottom two: Julia Helm & Lena Lischewski
  • Eliminated: Julia Helm
  • Featured photographer: Charlotte Rutherford
  • Special guest: Michael Michalsky
20712"Glamour Edition"25 April 2019 (2019-04-25)

Heidi surprised the girls with an invitation for the amfAR Gala. Cäcilia and Vanessa were chosen to fly to New York and to go to the amfAR Gala. After that, was the next big photoshoot for the girls with star photographer Yu Tsai. The girls had a foam party with It-girl Paris Hilton. On the next day, was the elimination. The girls had to walk in elegant dresses with headdresses made of balloons. Lena and Tatjana landed in the bottom two. Paris Hilton got a wildcard from Heidi and was allowed to save one of the two girls. She chose Tatjana, while Lena was eliminated.

  • Bottom two: Lena Lischewski & Tatjana Wiedemann
  • Wildcard: Tatjana Wiedemann
  • Eliminated: Lena Lischewski
  • Featured photographer: Yu Tsai
  • Special guest: Paris Hilton
20813"Drag Edition"2 May 2019 (2019-05-02)

The week started with dance teaching with 4 drag queens: Derrick Barry, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo & Nebraska Thunderfuck. After that, the girls had their next photoshoot. The girls were dressed as anime girls, while cycling a bike in the air. On the next day, the girls had a casting for Magdeburg-LosAngeles. Simone was booked for the job. At the elimination, the girls had to dance as drag queens in groups of two.

Cäcilia, Sayana & Tatjana landed in the bottom three. Cäcilia was saved, leaving Sayana and Tatjana in the bottom two. Guest judge Bill Kaulitz got a wildcard and saved Sayana. In the end, Tatjana was eliminated.

  • Booked for job: Simone Kowalski
  • Bottom three: Cäcilia Zimmer, Sayana Ranjan & Tatjana Wiedemann
  • Wildcard: Sayana Ranjan
  • Eliminated: Tatjana Wiedemann
  • Featured photographer: Vijat Mohindra
  • Special guest: Bill Kaulitz
20914"Personality Edition"9 May 2019 (2019-05-09)

The week started with a teaching with Heidi about their signature walks. On the next day, the girls had a casting for Sephora. Simone was booked for the job. After that, the girls had a body painting photoshoot on Rodeo Drive. After the shoot, Sarah was eliminated. At elimination, the girls had to show their signature walks in a fashion show in front of supermodel Naomi Campbell and photographer Matt McCabe. In the end, Caroline was eliminated.

  • Shoot-out: Caroline Krüger & Sarah Almoril
  • Eliminated outside of judging panel: Sarah Almoril
  • Booked for job/Immune: Simone Kowalski
  • Eliminated: Caroline Krüger
  • Featured photographer: Matt McCabe
  • Special guests: Matt McCabe & Naomi Campbell
21015"Halbfinale"16 May 2019 (2019-05-16)

The week started with the Harper's Bazaar cover shoot. On the next day, the girls got visits from their family and friends. At the elimination, the girls had their last runway show. They wore Amato haute couture dresses. After that, Vanessa became the 1st finalist. Then, Simone became the 2nd finalist and Cäcilia became the 3rd finalist. Alicija and Sayana landed in the bottom two. In the end, Alicija was eliminated, making Sayana the 4th finalist.

At the end of the episode, it was announced that Vanessa decided to quit the competition because of personal problems - making Cäcilia, Sayana and Simone the Top 3.

  • Bottom two: Alicija Köhler & Sayana Ranjan
  • Eliminated: Alicija Köhler
  • Quit: Vanessa Stanat
  • Special guests: Kerstin Schneider & Lena Meyer-Landrut
21116"Das große Finale"23 May 2019 (2019-05-23)

The final started with a girl-power inspired fashion show. Then followed the first elimination, with Cäcilia became the first grand finalist to be eliminated. Then, Sayana and Simone had to prove again on the runway. The last task was a crowd surfing photoshoot with male models. After the final runway, Simone was declared the winner of Germany's Next Topmodel.

Summaries edit

Results table edit

Place Model Episodes
1[a] 2[b] 3[c] 4[d] 5 6[e] 7[f] 8 9 10 11 12[g] 13[h] 14[i] 15[j] 16
1 Simone SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE IMM HIGH SAFE WIN
2 Sayana SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH SAFE LOW SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAVE SAFE LOW SAFE OUT
3 Cäcilia SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW SAFE SAFE OUT
4 Vanessa SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE QUIT
5 Alicija SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH SAFE OUT
6 Caroline SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW OUT
7 Sarah SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW OUT
8 Tatjana SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAVE OUT
9 Lena SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAVE SAFE SAFE LOW LOW OUT
10 Julia SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW SAFE SAFE OUT
11 Theresia SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
12 Justine SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW SAFE SAFE OUT
13 Melissa SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
14 Jasmin SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE DQ
15 Enisa SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH IMM SAVE QUIT
16 Luna SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
17 Leonela SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
18-20 Catharina SAFE SAVE SAFE OUT
Joelle SAFE SAFE SAVE OUT
Melina SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
21 Kim SAFE SAFE SAFE QUIT
22-25 Celine SAFE SAFE OUT
Loriane SAFE SAFE OUT
Maria SAFE SAFE OUT
Naomi SAFE SAFE OUT
26 Olivia SAFE SAFE QUIT
27-30 Anastasiya SAFE OUT
Ann-Kathrin SAFE OUT
Debora SAFE OUT
Marlene SAVE OUT
  The contestant withdrew from the competition
  The contestant was immune from elimination
  The contestant was in danger of elimination
  The contestant was in the bottom or originally eliminated from the competition but was saved by the guest judge
  The contestant was disqualified from the competition
  The contestant was eliminated outside of judging panel
  The contestant was eliminated
  The contestant won the competition
  1. ^ In episode 1, Marlene was originally eliminated but was saved by guest judge Lena Gercke.
  2. ^ In episode 2, Catharina was originally eliminated but was saved by guest judge Wolfgang Joop.
  3. ^ In episode 3, Olivia decided to quit the competition. Joelle was originally eliminated but was saved by guest judge Ellen von Unwerth.
  4. ^ In episode 4, Kim decided to quit the competition. Jasmin was not present in the episode due to problems back at home. Enisa was immune for having the most likes for her photo.
  5. ^ In episode 6, Enisa was in the bottom four but was saved by guest judge Toni Garrn.
  6. ^ In episode 7, Enisa decided to quit the competition. Furthermore, Jasmin was disqualified from the competition after getting involved in a physical altercation with Lena, automatically saving Lena from elimination. After that, Heidi told all the remaining girls that there will be no further elimination in that week.
  7. ^ In episode 12, Tatjana landed in the bottom two with Lena but was saved by guest judge Paris Hilton.
  8. ^ In episode 13, Sayana landed in the bottom three but was saved by guest judge Bill Kaulitz.
  9. ^ In episode 14, Sarah was eliminated outside of judging panel after losing the shoot-out. Simone was booked for the job and got immunity.
  10. ^ In episode 15, Vanessa decided to quit the competition - making Cäcilia, Sayana and Simone the Top 3.

Photo shoot guide edit

  • Episode 2 photo shoot: Snow queens
  • Episode 3 photo shoot: Posing as farm girls with Jordan Barrett
  • Episode 4 photo shoot: Alien stewardesses
  • Episode 5 photo shoot: Sedcard
  • Episode 6 photo shoot: Gypsies in the desert
  • Episode 7 photo shoot: Nude with puppies and jewelry
  • Episode 8 photo shoot: Jumping from a three-meter tower in a swimsuit with a huge bag
  • Episode 9 photo shoot: Posing in a circus with snakes
  • Episode 10 video shoot: John Travolta's "Saturday Night Fever" inspired
  • Episode 11 photo shoot: Posing in the rain with a male model
  • Episode 12 photo shoot: Foam party with Paris Hilton
  • Episode 13 photo shoot: Anime girls on a flying bike
  • Episode 14 photo shoot: Body painting on Rodeo Drive
  • Episode 15 photo shoot: Harper's Bazaar Cover-Try
  • Episode 16 photo shoot: Crowd surfing

Controversies edit

In episode 7, there was a physical fight between contestants Jasmin Cadete and Lena Lischewski shown on Television, leading to the disqualification of Cadete. The lawyer of Lischewski sued ProSieben and the cameramen saying: "It is unacceptable that a television station films how a minor is beaten by another participant during the filming and the present camera crew does not intervene immediately, but continues to film the scene."[2]

After Vanessa Stanat quit, ProSieben took over her official Instagram account. Shortly after, Stanat did not have access to her personal account either. Many, including Stanat herself, believe that this happened due to ProSieben being angry about her announcing her quit just a few weeks before the finale. Rebecca Mir took to Instagram to discredit Stanat, however she and ProSieben received backlash, because ProSieben shared personal information about Stanat with Mir.[3]

In August 2022 in the wake of allegations by former participants against Germany's Next Topmodel, the winner of the 14th season, Simone Kowalski, also spoke up as she said: "Top Model is very dangerous for today's and the previous generations! Many young women have mental trauma! Heidi says she's just being the hostess, but she has a responsibility to at least face the pain and trauma that has been inflicted on many girls!". Kowalski also teamed up with America's Next Top Model contestant Lisa D'Amato to talk about her traumatic experiences with Germany's Next Topmodel.[4] She said during the interview, that Germany’s Next Topmodel made her sick: "They took everything from me, I almost lost my family, my friends, all my money. It was inhuman - they broke me mentally. I came on the show healthy and got sick." She also said that after the show she was forced against her will to work for Heidi Klum's father. To former contestants defending the show, she says: "Good for you, but not for everyone". In her opinion, Germany's Next Topmodel should be discontinued.[5][6]

In February 2023 Der Spiegel gives a glimpse into the notorious gag contracts that candidates have to sign in order to be able to take part in the Heidi Klum show. According to the Hamburg lawyer Jörg Nabert, these are "illegal gag contracts". The contract binds the women to an agency for two years. A regulation that, according to Nabert, is not customary in the industry. The participants also agree that the recordings "present them in a way that they don't like themselves". According to Der Spiegel, the contracts say: "The contributors are aware of any burdens that may result for them". If necessary, “substantive suggestions” would be made and enforced by the show management. Germany's Next Topmodel can thus stylize people like Tessa Bergmeier (Season 4) as "bitches" without them being able to defend themselves effectively afterwards. Heidi Klum's casting show goes further than similar formats with this practice.[7][8]

In February 2023, the Berliner Zeitung published an article about the show with the headline: "Why isn't Germany’s Next Topmodel actually canceled?"[9]

In February 2023, the German InTouch wrote: "The willingness to use violence among girls is increasing. They form gangs, bully, hit. Heidi is also partly responsible for the fact that, at least on TV, such behavior should not lead to extra airtime..." The article goes on to say: "With Germany’s Next Topmodel absolutely wrong values are conveyed. It gives the impression that bullying is a legitimate means of dealing with each other."[10]

In February 2023, the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung wrote that Germany’s Next Topmodel is one of the worst trash TV programs on German television. And: "anyone who watches Heidi Klum is just as bad as she is."[11]

In February 2023, the former judge Peyman Armin criticized the show and Heidi Klum as well. He said: "It has become a pure self-portrayal by Heidi. Heidi comes first. Then Heidi and Heidi again. When Heidi Klum is in the foreground and takes care of the slapstick, for sensational shootings and catfights." Part of the episodes are therefore always scenes in which Heidi Klum would blaspheme with jurors about the contestants.[12]

Also in February 2023, former judge Wolfgang Joop criticized the show and Heidi Klum again when he said he had no say in the decisions. "Heidi does that. Nobody can help there." Not even the producers were allowed to have a say, apart from the timing of the direction. Joop: "Then they say something like: 'Don't let her go yet, the boyfriend will come, that'll bring a lot of tears of joy, we'll take that with us.'" He added: "I wouldn't have been surprised if the show had been discontinued."[13]

In February 2023 at the beginning of the 18th season, Heidi Klum gave a 10-minute speech in which she denied all allegations against her and the show and blamed the candidates themselves. This was once again heavily criticized by both the viewers and the media in Germany. The Berliner Morgenpost wrote: "Everything is wrong, says Klum. She emphasized that 'everything is real' on her show. There is no text or storyline for the models. That's why it's not her fault if a young model feels misrepresented after the broadcast. 'We can only portray a person as they are,' philosophizes Klum. Whether this is true remains questionable. On the one hand, because a story can be cobbled together afterwards that doesn't have to have anything to do with reality. On the other hand, because in the show very young girls in absolutely exceptional and stressful situations meet experienced editors who know exactly what the viewers later want to see on television."[14] Die Welt called Heidi Klum's statement "bizarre".[15] Frankfurter Allgemeine called it a "Catwalk of Shame".[16] Web.de headlined: "Why Heidi Klum's statement is dishonest".[17] Annabelle (magazine) (Switzerland) headlined: "Heidi Klum, this justification went wrong".[18] In an article, Puls24 (Austria) asked whether Heidi Klum practiced perpetrator-victim reversal and Gaslighting.[19] Frankfurter Allgemeine headlined: "This woman only has dollar signs in her eyes" and also assumed that Heidi Klum was doing a perpetrator-victim reversal.[20] BILD asked: "How evil is Heidi Klum really?".[21]

In March 2023 former judge Peyman Armin apologized to Lijana Kaggwa for what she had to experience on Germany's Next Topmodel. He also apologized for being part of Germany's Next Topmodel and promised to never take part in the show again. All of this was broadcast in the format "13 questions" on ZDF.[22][23]

In March 2023 BILD published the following message: "If the contestants get along too well, they will receive instructions from the crew to argue and produce beef." The participating contestants are also too young and inexperienced and cannot assess the extent of the show.[24]

In April 2023, Heidi Klum said about everything that happens at Germany's Next Topmodel: "At the end of the day I'm the boss and I make the rules!"[25]

In June 2023, the German TV broadcaster ZDF released a 70-minute investigative documentary about the machinations of the makers of Germany's Next Topmodel called "Pressure, hatred, manipulation: how sick does Germany's Next Topmodel make you?". For this documentary, around 50 former contestants, judges and members of the show's crew were interviewed, some anonymously. The makers of the documentary admitted that they are familiar with difficult investigations, but they have never experienced it before that so many people were afraid to talk about what happened as these former participants and employees of Germany's Next Topmodel. A crew member of the show who wished to remain anonymous is quoted as saying: "If you film a young woman from morning to night, you'll get every sectional image you want. So you can cut and tell what you want. A lot of things are cut together wildly. The jobs depend on it. It's about ratings." In addition, former contestants report how the show's editors deliberately foment manipulation, lies and discord among the contestants behind the scenes. The contestants are shielded from the outside world so they lose their nerve and argue. So 20 candidates have to sleep together in one room without contact to the outside world. The statements by Heidi Klum, the broadcasting TV station Pro7 and the production company are presented as hypocrisy. Pro7 is said to have earned 87 million euros with the Season 18, and Heidi Klum 10 million euros. The contestants receive no money. Germany's Next Topmodel has driven some contestants into depression and suicidal thoughts.[26][27][28][29][30][31]

References edit

  1. ^ "Germany's next Topmodel - Models". 24 July 2013.
  2. ^ A. Z. (20 March 2019). "GNTM: Ohrfeige in Klum-Show - Anwalt verklagt Sender".
  3. ^ "Zoff um GNTM-Vanessa immer skurriler – Ex-Kandidatin ätzt: "Stellt sich selbst als Opfer dar"". mannheim24.de (in German). 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
  4. ^ "Gewinnerin Simone Kowalski über GNTM-Trauma: "Heidi trägt die Verantwortung"". 10 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Simone Kowalski: »GNTM machte mich krank!". 15 August 2022.
  6. ^ ""GNTM": Ex-Siegerin weint vor Kamera – und spricht über ihre Erfahrungen".
  7. ^ Backes, Laura; Gantenbrink, Nora; Hof, Elisa von; Padtberg, Carola; Rainer, Anton; Rützel, Anja (10 February 2023). "(S+) »Germany's Next Topmodel« mit Heidi Klum: Was ist dran an den Vorwürfen ehemaliger Kandidatinnen?". Der Spiegel.
  8. ^ ""Rechtswidrige Knebelverträge": So läuft es bei Heidi Klum und Germany's Next Topmodel wirklich hinter den Kulissen ab".
  9. ^ ""Germany's Next Topmodel": Warum wird diese Show eigentlich nicht abgesetzt?". 12 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Heidi Klum: Schlimme Vorwürfe! Wird GNTM jetzt aus dem Programm geschmissen?". 11 February 2023.
  11. ^ "GNTM 2023: Wer Heidi Klum zuschaut, ist genauso schlimm wie sie | NOZ". 13 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Peyman Amin über Heidi Klum: "Reine Selbstinszenierung" bei GNTM". 16 February 2023.
  13. ^ "GNTM 2023: Ex-Juror Wolfgang Joop lästert über Heidi Klum". 17 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Neue Staffel GNTM: Heidi äußert sich zu Kritik an ihrer Show". 17 February 2023.
  15. ^ "GNTM 2023 - Heidi Klums skurrile Ansprache ans Publikum - WELT". 2 March 2023.
  16. ^ Benken, Marie von den. "GNTM 2023: Heidi Klums Catwalk of Shame hat wieder eröffnet!". Faz.net.
  17. ^ "Warum Heidi Klums Statement nicht ganz ehrlich ist". 17 February 2023.
  18. ^ "GNTM 2023: Heidi Klum, diese Rechtfertigung ging daneben". 17 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Vorwürfe gegen GNTM: Heidi Klum ist sich keiner Schuld bewusst".
  20. ^ Kaiser, Alfons. "Heidi Klum demütigt bei GNTM junge Mädchen und sieht sich als Opfer". Faz.net.
  21. ^ "Abrechnung bei GNTM: Wie böse ist Heidi wirklich?".
  22. ^ "GNTM | Nach Kritik: Überraschende Entschuldigung von Jury-Mitglied". 17 March 2023.
  23. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwvR4fZFdlc
  24. ^ "Tracy schmeißt bei GNTM hin: So hart geht es in der Show wirklich zu".
  25. ^ ""Germany's Next Topmodel": "Am Ende des Tages bin ich der Boss und ich bestimme die Regeln!" - WELT". 15 April 2023.
  26. ^ ""Druck, Hass, Manipulation" bei GNTM: Models packen über Klum-Show aus". 28 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Schwere Vorwürfe gegen GNTM? Neue Doku deckt über Heidi Klums Show auf!". 3 July 2023.
  28. ^ ""STRG _F» berichtet über "Druck, Hass, Manipulation" bei «GNTM"". 28 June 2023.
  29. ^ ""STRG_F": GNTM-Models packen über die Zustände hinter den Kulissen aus". 28 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Germany's Next Topmodel". 3 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Druck, Hass, Manipulation: Wie kaputt macht Germany's Next Topmodel? - STRG_F EPIC".

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