The first season of "Germany's Next Topmodel" (often abbreviated to GNTM) aired on German television network ProSieben from 25 January 2006 to 29 March 2006, with twelve girls in the competition. 18-year-old Lena Gercke came off as this season's winner. She became a successful model after the show and the host of Austria's Next Topmodel. IMG Models manages the winner and also managed first runner-up and second runner-up for one year.
The first season copied many photo shoot ideas from "America's Next Top Model", especially from the first season. It has also gone with almost three episodes with a double-elimination for the models. The show was hosted by top model Heidi Klum. The international destinations for this season were New York City, Los Angeles and Paris.
Contestants.
Ages stated are at start of contest.
 ;templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" / ;  The contestant was in danger of elimination
 ;templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" / ;  The contestant was eliminated
 ;templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" / ;  The contestant withdrew from the competition
 ;templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" / ;  The contestant won the competition
Controversy.
In February 2023, the Berliner Zeitung published an article about the show with the headline: "Why isn't Germany’s Next Topmodel actually canceled?"
In March 2023 former judge Peyman Armin apologized to Lijana Kaggwa for what she had to experience on Germany's Next Topmodel. He also apologized for being part of Germany's Next Topmodel and promised to never take part in the show again. All of this was broadcast in the format "13 questions" on ZDF.
In March 2023 BILD published the following message: "If the contestants get along too well, they will receive instructions from the crew to argue and produce beef." The participating contestants are also too young and inexperienced and cannot assess the extent of the show.
In April 2023, Heidi Klum said about everything that happens at Germany's Next Topmodel: "At the end of the day I'm the boss and I make the rules!"
In June 2023, the German TV broadcaster ZDF released a 70-minute investigative documentary about the machinations of the makers of Germany's Next Topmodel called "Pressure, hatred, manipulation: how sick does Germany's Next Topmodel make you?". For this documentary, around 50 former contestants, judges and members of the show's crew were interviewed, some anonymously. The makers of the documentary admitted that they are familiar with difficult investigations, but they have never experienced it before that so many people were afraid to talk about what happened as these former participants and employees of Germany's Next Topmodel. A crew member of the show who wished to remain anonymous is quoted as saying: "If you film a young woman from morning to night, you'll get every sectional image you want. So you can cut and tell what you want. A lot of things are cut together wildly. The jobs depend on it. It's about ratings." In addition, former contestants report how the show's editors deliberately foment manipulation, lies and discord among the contestants behind the scenes. The contestants are shielded from the outside world so they lose their nerve and argue. So 20 candidates have to sleep together in one room without contact to the outside world. The statements by Heidi Klum, the broadcasting TV station Pro7 and the production company are presented as hypocrisy. Pro7 is said to have earned 87 million euros with the Season 18, and Heidi Klum 10 million euros. The contestants receive no money. Germany's Next Topmodel has driven some contestants into depression and suicidal thoughts.
References.
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