GNTM season 21 (2026): Heidi Klum brings Jean Paul Gaultier to Cologne - FIV

Cologne, February 2026: Hundreds of young people are queuing up to impress Heidi Klum. Nothing new on Germany’s Next Topmodel, really. But then Jean Paul Gaultier enters the room and suddenly a casting turns into a fashion event. The French couturier, known for his provocative designs and unmistakable style, personally helped Heidi select the new generation of GNTM models.

Overview hide

The starting shot: first the men, then the women

The final takes place in Los Angeles

The candidates: 27 women between 18 and 54

The candidates: Men from 19 to 57

The guest jury: from Gaultier to Leni Klum

GNTM Bingo 2026: Are you playing?

All GNTM seasons

The starting shot: first the men, then the women

Season 21 breaks with tradition right from the start. On February 11, 2026, the show started on ProSieben with the men’s casting. One day later, on February 12, the women followed. Both episodes showed the open casting in Cologne, with Jean Paul Gaultier sitting next to Heidi in the jury chair.

Men on Wednesdays, women on Thursdays. GNTM 2026 airs twice a week at 8:15 pm on ProSieben and Joyn.

The title song “Red Eye”, produced by DJ Diplo and sung by Heidi Klum herself, sets the tone for a season that focuses on speed and surprises right from the start.

The final takes place in Los Angeles

Probably the biggest innovation: for the first time in 21 seasons, the final will not take place in Germany. Instead, the finalists will travel to Los Angeles, Heidi’s adopted home. What’s more, the final will not be broadcast live, but pre-recorded. A novelty that is already causing discussion in the GNTM community.

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The candidates: 27 women between 18 and 54

The age range alone tells a story. From 18-year-old Sophie from Cologne to 54-year-old Ursula from Ascona in Switzerland, who wants to prove that fashion has no expiry date. In between: 25 other women from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who all have one thing in common, the dream of a big breakthrough.

The candidates at a glance

Alisa (27) from Unterhaching
Angie (26) from Cologne
Anika (27) from Paderborn
Anna (22) from Frasdorf
Antonia (19) from Cologne
Aurélie (21) from Pulheim, convinces with humor and self-confidence
Bianca (47) from Lucerne, Switzerland
Cléo (19) from Munich
Daphne (25) from Pulheim
Dilara (23) from Hanover
Eileen (19) from the Alb-Donau district
Janet (24) from Dortmund
Julia (25) from the Wesermarsch
Juliet (24) from Dortmund
Juna (23) from Munich
Kim (24) from Berlin doesn’t just want to represent her community, she wants to win the title
Lara (19) from Bad Salzdetfurth, classic tall model
Lola (19) from Berlin
Marie (23) from Aachen
Marlene (20) from Erftstadt
Merret (20) from Berlin
Nana (24) from Frechen
Sina (23) from the Merzig-Wadern district
Sophie (18) from Cologne
Stella (21) from Bonn
Ursula (54) from Ascona, Switzerland
Vanessa (19) from Göttingen

Already eliminated (episode 1): Melli, Jill, Adelina, Kathi

The candidates: Men from 19 to 57

If you thought the women’s squad was diverse, then you haven’t seen the men yet. Gerhard (57) from Bad Aibling is the oldest contestant GNTM has ever had, a graphic designer who proves that the catwalk knows no age. At the other end of the spectrum: Benji (20), chef and GNTM dreamer. And then there’s Tony (31), Fashion Sales Advisor from Berlin, who is deaf and sees his hearing loss as a strength.

The male candidates

Adrian (21) from Gladbeck, business administration student with shooting experience
Benji (20), chef with dreams of big fashion brands
Boureima (21) from Wangen im Allgäu, goal: international modeling career
Carsten (49), property manager with a distinctive beard
Cenk (24) from Austria, trained mechanical engineer
Christian (21) from Dötlingen, self-employed since 18
Gerhard (57) from Bad Aibling, graphic designer and oldest GNTM contestant
Godfrey (34) from Vienna, known from “Too Hot to Handle” (Netflix)
Ibo (21) from Münster, social media creator and amateur boxer
Jayden (22), buyer and dance teacher
Lukas (21), administrative consultant with a distinctive face
Martin (36) from Munich, engineer with Kurt Cobain vibes
Matthew (26) from Düsseldorf, edgy look
Tony (31) from Berlin, deaf and Fashion Sales Advisor

The guest jury: from Gaultier to Leni Klum

In addition to Jean Paul Gaultier at the casting, other prominent guests have already been confirmed:

Leni Klum, Heidi’s daughter and successful model herself
Bill Kaulitz, brother-in-law and TV personality
Rankin, the legendary British fashion photographer
Kilian Kerner, German fashion designer
Michele Morrone, actor
Demi Lovato, singer
Elevator Boys, at the Public Walk in Berlin

GNTM Bingo 2026: Are you playing?

Our GNTM Bingo is back in season 21! Mark the typical top model terms on your card and challenge your friends. Perfect for every Thursday evening in front of the TV.