Twenty thrilling tidbits commemorating the 20th anniversary

Twenty Intriguing Insights Celebrating the 20th Milestone - Twenty thrilling tidbits commemorating the 20th anniversary

"GNTM" Steps into Its 20th Season with 20 Fascinating Facts! 💃✨

Celebrating 20 years of fashion, drama, and transformation, "Germany's Next Topmodel" (GNTM) returns with Heidi Klum at the helm! From record-breaking winners to curveball guest judges, we've gathered 20 intriguing facts you might not know about the beloved casting show. Buckle up and prepare to dive into the world of Germany's hottest models!

1. Banks & Klum: Model icon Tyra Banks, who launched "America's Next Top Model" in 2003, inspired the adaptation of the show by Heidi Klum to Germany in 2006.
2. First Winner: Lena Gercke claimed the inaugural title in the finale, while in the fourth season, Sara Nuru triumphed during the first live finale.
3. Rising Stars, Pt. 1: At just 16 years old, Lovelyn Enebechi made history by becoming the youngest winner in Season 8 in 2013. No one is expected to break this record this year.
4. Rising Stars, Pt. 2: The casting call for 2025 invites aspiring models of all shapes and sizes aged 18 and above to join the fun!
5. Height Struggle: Stricter height standards settled in from Season 13, with a minimum of 1.76 meters becoming the norm without the aid of high heels.
6. Age is Just a Number: Season 17 marked the first time models of varying ages (18-68) graced the "GNTM" stage, promoting diversity.
7. Famous Prospects: Sophia Thomalla and Micaela Schäfer, both hopefuls in earlier seasons, went on to build impressive careers as actresses, moderators, and models.
8. Jungle Journeys: Former "GNTM" contestants, such as Sarah Knappik, Gina-Lisa Lohfink, and more, have gone on to star in the German version of "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!"
9. The Vokuhila Look: Model Zoe Saip's unforgettable "Vokuhila" makeover in 2018, which left her resembling an 80's football player, became an iconic moment on the show.
10. Surprise Wedding: Finale drama escalated in 2019 when Therese Fischer (now Fischer-Horn) married her 28-year-older partner live on-air, causing a stir among viewers.
11. Love in the Air: The 19th season saw a debut in co-ed casting and the very first love story behind the scenes, with romance blossoming between Grace Zakhour and Armin Rausch.
12. Recognition and Achievements: Klum received the Blue Panther award in 2024, honoring the 19th season for its groundbreaking approach towards diversity and representation.
13. Guest Jurors: Seasons 14 and onward brought a number of guest judges, including 12 famous men from the fashion world, setting a refreshing pattern that persists to this day.
14. Team Competitions: Since Season 11, contestants were divided into teams, coached by Thomas Hayo and Michael Michalsky, before resuming individual competition the following week.
15. No Animal Shoots: Klum's decision to stray away from animal-centered photoshoots in an attempt to remain modern and progress-focused marks a notable change in the show's direction.
16. Aevening up the Airtime: As it prepares for its 20th anniversary, "GNTM" aims to cater to both male and female audiences by airing episodes on Wednesday evenings for male contestants and Thursday evenings for female ones.
17. Record-Breaking Ratings: The fourth season, led by the triumph of Sara Nuru, garnered an impressive 3.83 million viewers on average, marking the best season so far.
18. Ratings Struggles: Subsequent seasons saw a steady decline in viewership, leaving the show on a precarious edge, constantly facing a renewal debate among fans.
19. Naked Protest: Criticism of the show's beauty ideals and body image standards culminated in a 2013 protest by Femen activists, who stormed the stage topless and called out Heidi Klum's show as a "Horror Picture Show."
20. Blasts From the Past: Challenge of the years includes: a bomb threat scare in 2015 that forced the show to cancel its live finale, and the COVID-19 pandemic impeding production in 2020.

Now that you've got a better understanding of the rich history that is "Germany's Next Topmodel," might we suggest you refresh your viewing playlist and prepare for the show's 20th anniversary this year?!

1. Supposedly, Tyra Banks will reportedly compete as a guest model in the 20th season of "GNTM," bringing her topmodel expertise to the show that was inspired by her own series.
2. In 2023, "Germany's Next Topmodel" will celebrate its topmodel status with innovations, promising to push the boundaries of fashion and diversity even further.
3. Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum, both topmodels in their own rights, are expected to collaborate on some groundbreaking innovations, bringing a unique blend of their experiences to the 20th season.

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