Germany's Next Topmodel season 4


The fourth season of Germany's Next Topmodel aired on the German television network ProSieben from 12 February 2009 to 21 May 2009.
In contrast to previous seasons, the show saw a significant change as the audition process was completely open this time, such that every model-wannabe got a chance to audition in front of the jury led by Heidi Klum. The numbers of applications were 1,104 in Düsseldorf, 1,376 in Munich and 18,786 who applied before via mail.
The winner of this season 19-year-old Sara Nuru from Munich. Her prizes include:
The following prizes have been removed:
The international destinations for this season were set in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York City and Singapore.

Contestants


ContestantAgeHeightHometownFinishPlace
Olivia Bermann20BerlinEpisode 4
Johanna Popp21NurembergEpisode 4
Daphne Braun17MelleEpisode 4
Tessa Bergmeier19ÜberlingenEpisode 514
Dana Franke20BerlinEpisode 613
Tamara Busch16GiessenEpisode 712–11
Aline Bauer19Marbach am NeckarEpisode 712–11
Stefanie Theissing21MünsterEpisode 910
Katrina Scharinger19NurembergEpisode 109
Larissa Marolt16Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See, AustriaEpisode 118
Ira Meindl21CologneEpisode 127
Sarina Nowak17UelzenEpisode 136
Maria Beckmann19WürzburgEpisode 145–4
Jessica Motzkus20WolfsburgEpisode 145–4
Marie Nasemann19GautingEpisode 163
Mandy Bork17WittenEpisode 162
Sara Nuru19MunichEpisode 161

Summaries

Photo shoot guide

Episode 1 photo shoot: DüsseldorfEpisode 2 photo shoot: Munich shootingEpisode 3 photo shoot: Frostbitten beautyEpisode 4 photo shoot: Burning car in the desert in pairsEpisode 5 photo shoot: Hanging from a hot air balloon Episode 6 photo shoot: Brides in B&WEpisode 7 photo shoot: Bikinis in the rain Episode 8 photo shoot: Underwater Episode 9 photo shoot: Pole dancing Episode 10 commercial: Wonder BraEpisode 11 photo shoot: Famous divasEpisode 12 photo shoot: Rock starsEpisode 13 photo shoot: American beautyEpisode 14 photo shoot: Cosmopolitan coversEpisode 15 photo shoot: Elle Singapore coversEpisode 16 photo shoot: Bull riding

Controversies

Sophia Thomalla, daughter of German actress Simone Thomalla, was eliminated in the first round for having a friendship with judge Peyman Amin.
In August 2022, finalist Marie Nasemann revealed that she suffers from the spinal condition Scoliosis. Back in 2009, during the fourth season, her Scoliosis was discussed at a casting for Samsung. The editors of Germany's Next Topmodel tried to make her cry because of her illness and she also reveals: "I found out years later that Samsung would have liked to book me, but from the production side it wasn't allowed".
In September 2022, the winner Sara Nuru joined the criticism of the show as she said: "I was not aware of how blatantly young women were treated there. It was as if I had blinders on, a lot is me I wasn't aware of it even as a participant. I'm still horrified by how young women are treated." She added: "With the knowledge I have today, I would not take part in Germany's Next Topmodel again."
In January 2023, the relentless criticism continued when Tessa Bergmeier criticized the Show and Heidi Klum live in front of an audience of millions during her participation in the 16th season of I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here. In a conversation with model Papis Loveday, she said: "They screwed me! I found it unfair. I had no idea what kind of light they wanted to put me in. They portrayed me as a bitch. They made me a monster, I wasn't." Bergmeier describes Klum as "super-mega psycho. The devil is in her. She laughs at little girls A person who can torment others without any feeling of guilt. I couldn't continue modelling in Hamburg, no client wanted me anymore." Papis Loveday, who also worked on GNTM, added about Klum: "She only thinks of herself. Nobody can shine more than she does."
In February 2023 Der Spiegel gives a glimpse into the notorious gag contracts that candidates have to sign in order to be able to take part in the Heidi Klum show. According to the Hamburg lawyer Jörg Nabert, these are "illegal gag contracts". The contract binds the women to an agency for two years. A regulation that, according to Nabert, is not customary in the industry. The participants also agree that the recordings "present them in a way that they don't like themselves". According to Der Spiegel, the contracts say: "The contributors are aware of any burdens that may result for them". If necessary, “substantive suggestions” would be made and enforced by the show management. Germany's Next Topmodel can thus stylize people like Tessa Bergmeier as "bitches" without them being able to defend themselves effectively afterwards. Heidi Klum's casting show goes further than similar formats with this practice.