The sixth season of "Kampf der Realitystars" premiered on May 7, 2025, at 20:15 on RTLZWEI, and fans were eager to see how the latest batch of contestants would fare in the reality show arena. However, early reviews suggest that the excitement may not have lived up to expectations.
As a long-time fan of the show, the author had high hopes for the season's debut, especially given the memorable moments from previous seasons. Who could forget Jürgen Milski's infamous refusal to play a game in season one, or Walther Hoffmann's explosive outburst in season two? Even Giulia Siegel's Darth Vader voice in season four set a high bar for entertainment. Yet, the first episode of the sixth season left many feeling underwhelmed.
The episode kicked off with actors Martin Semmelrogge and football star Ailton making their grand entrance into the Sala in Thailand, but their potential bromance quickly faded into the background, overshadowed by the antics of other reality TV participants. The author noted a troubling trend: the so-called "real stars" often fade into the background as attention-seeking personalities take center stage. "I don't have a fundamental problem with reality stars taking the spotlight, as long as they provide some entertainment," the author remarked. Unfortunately, the first episode did not deliver.
In a brief summary of the episode, the author highlighted some of the less-than-stellar moments, including Dennis Lodi's incessant flatulence, Hati Suarez and Daymian Jasper Weiß's attempts to become the new "Kampf der Realitystars" couple, and Giuliana Farfalla's shocking reveal of her surgically altered anatomy to Jens Hilbert. The author confessed to feeling bored by the lack of engaging content.
Among the contestants, Anouschka Renzi stood out as a potential source of entertainment, channeling her inner Désirée Nick with her sharp wit. However, the episode concluded with the elimination of Ailton and Annina Semmelhaack, which the author deemed a minor loss in terms of entertainment value. To add a twist, both contestants were given a chance to return in the next episode, raising the question of whether viewers truly needed this twist.
The anticipation for the next episode is palpable, particularly regarding the anticipated confrontation between Can Kaplan and Daymian Jasper Weiß. Their tension stems from Kaplan's ex, Walentina Doronina, who cheated on him with Daymian during "Germany Shore." However, even this potential drama seems to be fizzling out, as the trailer for the upcoming episode showed no signs of the explosive conflict that viewers crave. Instead, Can Kaplan adopted a surprisingly rational stance, stating, "He has to be able to look at himself in the mirror; I couldn't."
With the first episode failing to deliver the expected drama, the author expressed hope that future episodes would bring more engaging content. The arrival of Anita Latifi and Christin Okpara in subsequent episodes promises to add more drama to the Sala, but the author remains skeptical about the overall entertainment value of the season.
Additionally, the show has undergone a significant change in its hosting duties. Arabella Kiesbauer has taken over from Cathy Hummels, and while Kiesbauer brings a more relaxed and spontaneous style to the show, the author admits to needing time to adjust to the new format. The "Stunde der Wahrheit" segment, reminiscent of Kiesbauer's previous talk show style, may yet prove to be a highlight.
In a particularly memorable moment from the premiere, Hati Suarez experienced an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction upon her arrival, as her bikini top tore while she waved to the crowd. "My top just broke, man, how embarrassing," she commented, while fellow contestant Annina Semmelhaack quipped, "Her breasts aren't even that big." Hati's entrance was further complicated when she tripped in the sand, briefly exposing herself to her fellow contestants.
Ailton and Semmelrogge found the incident amusing, with Semmelrogge dryly noting, "She just generated screen time!" Hati's goal for the season is clear: to win the title of "Realitystar 2025" and use the prize money to fulfill her dream of getting a driver's license and buying a car. "I'm a woman who likes to travel alone and wants to stand on my own two feet in life," she stated.
As the episode progressed, the dynamics among the contestants began to unfold. The first eleven contestants included notable names like Martin Semmelrogge, Ailton, and Anouschka Renzi, whose self-proclaimed superiority over the others did not go unnoticed. Meanwhile, the antics of Dennis Lodi, described as the "darkest candle on the cake" due to his loud flatulence, drew criticism from fellow contestants. Giuliana Farfalla, the first transgender model to appear on GNTM, took particular issue with Lodi's behavior, telling him, "You should be ashamed of being so disgusting. You annoy me!"
In a surprising twist, the first "Stunde der Wahrheit" allowed newcomers Giuliana and Stephen Dürr to eliminate a contestant. They chose to send Ailton home, while the group voted Annina out as well, but both were granted a second chance as "Wackelstars." This twist left the audience questioning the sincerity of the eliminations.
As the reality show continues, viewers are left wondering whether the anticipated drama will materialize. With significant personalities like Martin Semmelrogge and Ailton in the mix, the potential for engaging content is high, but the first episode's lackluster performance has set a cautious tone for the season ahead. Only time will tell if "Kampf der Realitystars" can reclaim its former glory.
