“GNTM” Finals 2025: Daniela and Moritz Win the Anniversary Title

20 years of “Germany’s next Topmodel” have found their crowning conclusion with the two new winning models Daniela and Moritz. With a spectacular show, Heidi Klum (52) has ushered in the start of a new decade of her model casting show on ProSieben. On Thursday (June 19), the entire “GNTM” family of the last 20 years and numerous star guests celebrated a colorful anniversary party in Cologne.

These Models Made It to the Finals

But as always, only one woman and one man could become “Germany’s next Topmodel 2025”: Among the women, Magdalena (21) from Vienna, Daniela (20) from Osterfildern, Zoe (19) from Pulheim competed, while among the men, Jannik (22) from Bad Segeberg, Pierre (22) from Vienna, and Moritz (19) from Berlin fought for the victory.

The “Moulin Rouge!” musical ensemble opened the grand finale with the iconic song “Lady Marmalade”. Under thunderous applause that seemed endless, Heidi Klum welcomed her six final models and immediately announced the first special guests of the evening: “I’ve dressed up tonight because my husband is coming to join me. Tokio Hotel is in the house!”

Everyone seemed a bit nervous – including Model Mom Heidi. But no wonder: After all, the grand finale looked back at the iconic moments from the TV show’s two decades. “There were so many who had to tremble beside me”, Klum summarized. “But only one was the first.” As the first guest of the evening, Lena Gercke (37) joined her on the couch; she won the first “GNTM” season in 2006. “We had no idea what was coming our way”, said the very first winner.

“GNTM” Winners from 20 Years as Guests

Subsequently, all other winning models from past seasons who were guests that evening gathered on stage: Jermaine Kokoú Kothé (2024), Lea Oude Engberink (2024), Vivien Blotzki (2023), Lou-Anne Gleissenebner (2022), Alex Mariah Peter (2021), Jacky Wruck (2020), Simone Kowalski (2019), Toni Dreher-Adenuga (2018), Celine Bethmann (2017), Kim Hnizdo (2016), Vanessa Fuchs (2015), Stefanie Giesinger (2014), Lovelyn Enebechi (2013), Luisa Hartema (2012), Alisar Ailabouni (2010), Jennifer Hof (2008), Barbara Meier (2007). “It’s such a special moment that you all came”, Klum rejoiced. The winners from 2009 and 2011 were not present: Sara Nuru and Jana Beller.

Zoe and Jannik Eliminated in First Round

Right after this reunion, the first decisive walk of the Top Six took place. Heidi Klum welcomed her long-time jury colleague Thomas Hayo (56) on the couch. The final models had to walk the catwalk in white and black knitted tops. The challenge: During the walk, the garment was being unraveled as a group of dancers pulled on the loose threads.

“That was a very cool but not easy walk. I think it’s very important to understand the role: a fight with liberation”, Hayo explained after the models’ performances in the order of Magdalena, Zoe, Daniela, Moritz, Jannik, Pierre.

For Zoe and Jannik, the journey toward the title ended after the first final walk in Cologne. Meanwhile, Daniela, Magdalena, Moritz, and Pierre could continue hoping for the prize money, the magazine cover, and the campaign.

Bruce Darnell, Gina-Lisa Lohfink, and Sarah Knappik Celebrate Reunion

Before moving on to further decisions, Heidi Klum took plenty of time in the anniversary show finale to look back at moments that made TV history. Bruce Darnell (67) got to revive his “The handbag must be alive” saying, while the former “Zack die Bohne” dream team Sarah Knappik (38) and Gina-Lisa Lohfink (38) – looking somewhat different from before – showed themselves as a harmonious unit in the audience.

This was followed by a review of the many notable guests from the anniversary season. This year’s guests included supermodels and world-famous stars like Paris Hilton (44), Alessandra Ambrosio (44), Adriana Lima (44), and Catherine Deneuve (81).

Naomi Campbell Is the International Star of the Evening

Naomi Campbell (55) also made a live appearance in the finale to support Heidi Klum alongside Leni Klum (21) in her difficult decision. Her tip for the aspiring models: “It definitely takes discipline, you need to focus on what you want and not take things personally. That’s not something you’re taught. How to deal with rejection.”

Live Underwater Shoot and the Final Walk

However, the most exciting moment of the evening for the candidates was yet to come: the live underwater shoot with photographer Christian Anwander. Here, especially Daniela and Moritz impressed, while Magdalena struggled with breathing problems and Pierre “offered too much” with hand gestures and grinning.

The Models Give Their All in the Final Walk

But the challenge wasn’t over yet, as after Tokio Hotel’s performance of their new song “How to love”, the very last walk of the season was up next, where the four final models had to prove themselves one more time in front of everyone – by now, Klum’s husband Tom Kaulitz (35) and his twin brother Bill Kaulitz (35) had also taken their places on the couch. After this spectacular finale, favorites Daniela and Moritz each secured the cover of German “Harper’s Bazaar”, 100,000 euros in prize money, and a joint advertising campaign with Heidi Klum.

After 20 years of “GNTM”, the journey of the German TV model casting show is far from over: Preparations for the next season are already underway, with castings for 2026 taking place in Cologne next week.