With 2025 just around the corner, German audiences are gearing up for another thrilling year of reality television. From dancing to dramatic jungle escapades, several high-profile shows are set to return, promising laughter, tension, and unforgettable moments.
Let’s Dance kicks off its 18th season soon, with 14 celebrity contestants dancing for the coveted title of "Dancing Star 2025." RTL recently announced the star-studded lineup, which includes actress Simone Thomalla, trying to follow in the footsteps of her daughter, Sophia Thomalla, who won the series back in 2010. Alongside her, actress and host Christine Neubauer and pop singer Jeanette Biedermann will also showcase their twinkle toes.
The 2025 season aims to mix einflussreiche personalities from various fields, including social media influencers like selfiesandra, YouTube star Paola Maria, and even reality TV figures like Leyla Lahouar and stuntwoman Marie Mouroum. Music will not shy away from shining bright, as hitmaker Ben Zucker and TV chef Roland Trettl demonstrate their dancing chops. Perhaps the most curious participant is Diego Pooth, son of Verona Pooth, marking his debut alongside gymnastics star Fabian Hambüchen and Paralympic swimmer Taliso Engel. Completing this eclectic cast is comedian Osan Yaran, promising laughter and entertainment.
But the dance floor isn’t the only stage lighting up screens this winter. The iconic Dschungelcamp, known officially as Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!, returns on January 24, 2025. This season has already sparked controversy before it even airs, primarily due to the inclusion of Alessia Herren, daughter of the late entertainer Willi Herren. Her behavior on previous reality shows raised eyebrows, leading to public outrage and calls for boycotts.
The nominations list boasts 12 other familiar faces, including well-known personalities like Timur Ülker, known from "GZSZ", and Nina Bott, who starred on the same soap opera for nearly nine years. Comedian Jörg Dahlmann, athlete Jürgen Hingsen, and reality figures Yeliz Koç and Sam Dylan round out the cast, each buoyed by their own followings and unique backstories.
This year’s Dschungelcamp aims to maintain its long-standing tradition of mixing entertainment with social commentary, and the addition of Alessia Herren is polarizing, bringing both anticipation and discontent from fans. "This is the first year I probably won’t watch it," wrote one disappointed viewers, reflecting the sentiments of many who hold strong opinions about the show’s inclusivity and morality.
Among the lineup, Edith Stehfest, Anna-Carina Woitschack, and Lilly Becker, who previously appeared on shows like "Let’s Dance", bring their dramatic flair to the jungle. The inclusion of sports legends such as Hingsen showcases how reality TV continues to attract diverse participants, broadening its audience appeal.
January also brings various other engaging formats, appealing to all fans of German reality television. The debut of the Golden Bachelor aims to catch the attention of viewers, showcasing love among older contestants, highlighting ever-evolving societal standards of romance. Exciting spin-offs like Germany Shore will offer viewers glimpses of adventure and wild parties, featuring reality stars traveling around the globe.
For thrill-seekers, the Reality Backpackers series presents challenges where participants must navigate Colombia without the aid of money or maps, positioning it as not only entertaining but also exhilarating. The waiting game is revving up for fans eager to see how love blossoms or tanks on shows like Love is Blind: Germany, which also premieres soon. Meanwhile, uncertainties linger around Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus! and the societal impacts of its casting decisions, pushing discussions about reality TV ethics to the forefront.
These returning and debuting shows point to another groundbreaking year for the German reality TV scene. With memorable moments sure to surface, viewers eagerly anticipate what drama and romance the upcoming shows will bring. Always keeping audiences on edge, it appears 2025 will be filled with unforgettable entertainment for fans of all flavors of reality television.