Germany's Next Topmodel (often abbreviated as GNTM) is a German reality television series based on the concept introduced by Tyra Banks with America's Next Top Model.
In the elimination process on America's Next Top Model, host Tyra Banks hands out a photograph to each of the contestants who are safe, in order of merit.
On America's Next Top Model, the final two or three contestants compete on a runway, and the winner is chosen in the judging room.
Instead, a spin-off called Die Model WG was shown featuring several former contestants from the show and hosted by judge Peyman Amin.
[17] As of 2023, many celebrities, organizations, and former contestants have publicly spoken out against the show such as Beth Ditto, Eva Padberg, Julia Stegner, Carolin Kebekus, Cordula Stratmann, Désirée Nick, Wolfgang Joop, Roger Willemsen, Sara Nuru, Simone Kowalski, Femen and even the German Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
"[20] In 2012, former judge Rolf Scheider criticized the program, saying "the show has never produced a new Nadja Auermann or Claudia Schiffer" and that contestants who "lack modeling talent" are selected purely for ratings.
The models are treated poorly on set, often not given enough food, having their mobile phones confiscated, and having limited time to use the restroom.
[36][37] Former judge Wolfgang Joop criticized the show, stating he left because of the program's focus on scenes like "contestants collapsing, getting homesick, crying and falling on their heels.
"[24][25] In Episode 9 of Cycle 12, the contestants had a photoshoot on a bed with male models wearing lingerie that took place in the streets of Los Angeles, causing a car accident that Klum made light of.
Lischewski's lawyer sued ProSieben and the cameramen, calling it "unacceptable that a television station films a minor beaten by another participant and the present camera crew does not intervene.
[45][46] In May 2022, Chiara "Kiki" Hölzl from Cycle 10 also revealed that she broke her arm during a photo shoot that the production team buried.
[47] Contestant Lijana Kaggwa received death threats after participating in Cycle 15 of Germany's Next Topmodel, leading her to seek police protection.
[48][49] Mareike Fangmann from Stern wrote that "[ProSieben] also has complicity because the broadcaster knows exactly how to cut scenes together in order to identify a clear bitch.
"[52] In February 2021, Cycle 16 contestants had to walk nude in front of Heidi Klum, which was criticized by the audience and Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
[56][57] In September 2022, the winner of the Cycle 4, Sara Nuru, joined the criticism of the show, confessing she was "not aware of how blatantly young women were treated there.
The editors of GNTM tried to make her cry because of her illness and she also reveals: "I found out years later that Samsung would have liked to book me, but from the production side it wasn't allowed".
According to a study by the "International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television" a third of all girls surveyed with eating disorders named GNTM as a trigger for it.
[69] German comedian Carolin Kebekus said "Germany's Next Topmodel made many greats: eating disorders, self-loathing, cyberbullying" and "this year they went crazy for diversity because every woman has the right to be humiliated by Heidi Klum.
"[70] In May 2013, during the live finale of Cycle 8, Klum was attacked by two topless Femen activists, Zana Ramadani and Hellen Langhorst, who flashed her.
[79] German comedian Cordula Stratmann referred to Klum as "the face and soul of a cold-hearted, disgusting production" and "the trainer in malice and condescension.
"[22] Charlotte Koep via T-Online referred to the program and Klum as "the ego show of the GNTM deadbeat mom".
"[84] In June 2023, the German TV broadcaster ZDF released a 70-minute investigative documentary about the machinations of the makers of GNTM called "Pressure, hatred, manipulation: how sick does Germany's Next Topmodel make you?"
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 GNTM.
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.
The statements by Heidi Klum, the broadcasting TV station ProSieben and the production company are presented as hypocrisy.