At Heidi Klum’s modeling show Germany’s Next Topmodel, opinions are divided: some have remained loyal to the show for 20 seasons (!), while others want nothing more to do with the artificial reality drama. Now a former contestant is taking aim at the format.
For almost 20 years, Germany’s Next Topmodel has been on our screens and is one of the most famous shows on German TV. But for years, the criticism has been growing louder: from absurd catwalk challenges to controversial model contracts – more and more viewers and ex-contestants are distancing themselves from Heidi Klum’s show. Now a former participant is speaking out and taking the TV format to task.
Darya Strelnikova settles the score with GNTM: That’s how badly she feels about Heidi Klum’s show today
Darya Strelnikova (32) is no stranger to TV. In 2015, she took part in Germany’s Next Topmodel and even made it to the semi-finals. Even then, she had to struggle with her image as a gossip. In 2020, Heidi Klum named her the biggest bitch of all time in a special episode. But that didn’t stop the Ukrainian-born star from launching a successful career in the media. She appeared in various reality shows – and met jungle camp star Fabio Knez in 2023 on Are You The One. It was only recently that the attractive couple announced their engagement.
That Darya is not on good terms with GNTM and Heidi Klum is now making it clear on Instagram. In front of her 450,000 Instagram followers, she criticizes the show in typical Darya fashion. In her opinion, the scandalous reality show is not really about the fashion world: “In my opinion, this show has nothing to do with real modeling.” Besides, it’s time to finally bury the casting format: “Slowly it has become unfashionable.” Many people may not have missed the irony that Darya herself only used the show as a springboard for a career in trash TV.
Her fans wanted to know if Darya was still watching Heidi Klum’s show at all. She honestly admits that her interest has long since waned. For professional reasons, she only saw the first episode of the new season: “I was at the premiere of the first episode of this year’s season in Berlin, and I saw that.” Otherwise, she doesn’t want to know anything more about GNTM: “But I haven’t really watched anything from Topmodel in years.”
Germany’s Next Topmodel: Then the show will be on TV
Germany’s Next Topmodel will air twice a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 8:15 p.m., on ProSieben. The show can be streamed live on Joyn and accessed for free afterward.
