The latest episode of Germany's Next Topmodel (ProSieben) unfolded with palpable tension among the male contestants, even amid a visit to the renowned Hofbräuhaus with host Heidi Klum. This week, Klum, 51, conducted a unique challenge for her aspiring models, demanding they engage in a Sedcard shooting shortly after a grueling workout. A lack of time for grooming had contestants feeling less than confident, especially Ethan, 19, who expressed his discontent, stating, "Who comes up with this idea? I wouldn't even go out to take out the trash like this." Meanwhile, 24-year-old Keanu lamented, "I’m totally sweaty; my hair isn’t done. It’s a bit ridiculous."
This unconventional approach to modeling was overseen by the often ruthless photographer Yu Tsai. He didn’t hold back with his critiques, telling Kevin, 24, that he looked bored and admonished John, 25, for only presenting one expression. The harsh judgments prompted John to respond, feeling the atmosphere was less collaborative and more like subjugation: "We are supposed to work together, but it feels more like slavery!"
Heidi Klum remained equally tough, questioning a sick Tim, 19, about his nutrition intake, asking, "Didn’t you eat your vegetables?" She emphasized that it was the models’ responsibility to raise concerns about their health, citing fairness to all contestants. The overall performance during the shooting was deemed to vary, with Ethan, Moritz, 19, and Pierre, 22, particularly impressive.
As tensions continued to rise, Pierre made a bold comment about Kevin, calling him narcissistic, after Kevin boasted that girls scream when he walks into stores like Müller, a popular German drugstore chain. Despite the heated exchange, the two managed to reconcile moments later, shaking hands to move past their differences.
During the elimination walk, Heidi Klum surprised contestants with a catwalk set up in a shallow swimming pool. Contestants were instructed to walk confidently through the water in only their swim shorts, a challenging task while being scrutinized by the guest judges Tom and Bill Kaulitz. Klum promoted the Kaulitz brothers as her "absolute favorite judges", adding an element of excitement to the day's proceedings.
Tom Kaulitz seized the opportunity to share jests, noting about his brother's fashion sense, "Tom doesn’t like fashion as much as I do, as you can see."
The playful banter continued, with Tom commenting on fellow contestant Alex, stating, "Not as good as mine, but close."
During the run, 27-year-old Nawin caught Bill Kaulitz's eye, prompting him to exclaim, "From far away, on a vacation photo, I would think, that’s you!" His lighthearted comment about Nawin's resemblance to Tom added a jovial touch to the pressure-filled atmosphere.
Yet, not all contestants would thrive under the spotlight. This week, Bill publicly displayed his fondness for contestant Samuel, 23, saying, "In Samuel, I’m a little bit in love. He walks like it doesn’t matter!" His direct remarks enchanted the audience and made for intriguing television. Samuel's performance led to heated discussions about confidence and appearance, earning him a place in the next round. However, other contestants like Ryan, 22, John, and Felix S., 30, were not as fortunate and were sent home, ending their journey before the planned trip to Los Angeles.
With so much drama unfolding in the show, the remaining contestants now turn their focus toward the next steps of their modeling journey, as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the glamorous yet grueling world of fashion.
