“Germany’s Next Topmodel”
The meanest photographer ever
Photographer Yu Tsai also has no kind words for Vanessa
© ProSieben/Sven Doornkaat
Before entering the top ten, the models can expect a photo shoot with a strict photographer who occasionally throws insults around.
“Germany’s next top model” (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., ProSieben) has entered the exciting phase: the twelfth episode decides the top ten of the 17th season. “The things we’ve had so far were really not easy – what’s next?” asks Luca (19) while getting ready in front of the mirror. So much in advance: A strict photographer who motivates with insults is coming. Namely Yu Tsai.
But before some of the girls are put down by him, Nikeata Thompson (41) builds them up first. During the surprise visit to the villa, she has tips for each individual: Sophie (18) should stop playing a model and be herself. Noëlla (24) should stop feeling constantly attacked and reacting stubbornly. And Juliana (24) should get her nervousness under control by writing a text about herself and reading it to the others.
“I can’t look at it”
After the women have all gotten a boost in self-confidence, the shooting is on. Using a trampoline on a parking deck, they should jump over the city. The challenge is to make beautiful poses despite gravity, keeping the whole body under control, including feet and face. Anita (20) shows how not to do it. “Not only is it not good, it’s really bad,” said the photographer. “I can’t look at it, it’s uncomfortable, it’s embarrassing,” is his violent feedback. The third round doesn’t get any better either: “You should fly over the skyline, not fall out of the sky.”
There is nothing left of Anita’s self-confidence: “I can’t even cry right now because I’m so shocked.” Noëlla isn’t making it any better either: “It’s getting worse and worse!” Yu Tsai scolds. Heidi Klum (48) agrees: “Like a jumping jack.” Photographer steps in: “You know what that is? A parody of modeling.” It’s just as bad for Vanessa (20): “We’re looking for models, not fitness trainers,” Yu Tsai scolds and predicts: “She’s lost.” At one point, he even describes the shoot as the worst of his life.
But there are also highlights in the group: Sophie elicits a “Beautiful” from Yu Tsai, Vivien (21) a “Stunning!”, Lou-Anne (18) also receives applause and Luca (19) says: “I love everything about it!”
Surprise: Another makeover
For Lena (21) there is another surprise before the shoot: a makeover. She is terrified of a short haircut, but the opposite happens. Her long blond hair is getting a little bit longer and a little bit blond. Without the big fanfare around it, the viewers probably wouldn’t have noticed it, but for the makeover it makes a big difference. “I feel that something has changed in my charisma,” says Lena, who is also one of the better of the day.
For the girls who have received so much criticism, the Elimination Walk is their last chance. This time it takes place in a maze in which the women first have to find their way out. Modeling, unnecessarily complicated, the thousandth. “Well, they will probably manage that,” demands Heidi, after she herself has bumped into the hedges several times. Sophie gets lost in the labyrinth and keeps coming back to the entrance: “I really thought what would happen if I couldn’t find my way out of here?” She still keeps her poker face and that’s what matters to Heidi.
Who doesn’t make the top ten?
Lou-Anne, Sophie, Martina, Luca, Vivien, Lieselotte, Lena and Juliana make it straight into the top ten. In the end, Noëlla, Vanessa and Anita tremble in front of Heidi – exactly the three who received the most criticism during the shoot. “It would be a disaster for me to get out now,” said Anita shortly before Heidi’s decision. The journey is over neither for her nor for Noëlla, but for Vanessa. She, who has gone from brunette to sweet-eyed with a green bob over the past three months, used both hands to hold her dress while walking — a small mistake that symbolically broke her pretty neck on the show.