Participation in GNTM: jobs, shoots and walks

Dascha took her first step into the world of modeling on Heidi Klum’s well-known casting show. As you could already see in the first episode of GNTM, Heidi was a big fan of Dascha’s personality and type right from the start. The fashion world is changing and becoming more and more realistic, which is why Dasha’s curves in particular fit perfectly into this change. With her charisma, open nature and type, Dascha was able to land numerous jobs during the show for various clients such as Kilian Kerner, andmetics & Invisibobble.

Her beginnings and success story: Why it is so popular!

FIV: Why did you apply for GNTM? Was it always your dream to take part in this format? What motivated you to take part?

Dascha: I’ve always wanted to take part in GNTM. Ever since I was little, I wanted to leave a footprint. And I managed to do that.

FIV: You’ve come quite far now. How do you think you stand out from other models and what makes you special as a model?

Dasha: I am different because I reflect reality. I show that it’s normal to have a bit of flab or stretch marks. No one is perfect.

FIV: How did your environment, your family and friends, react to your participation in GNTM? Were you supported right from the start or was there criticism?

Dasha: I was supported from all sides right from the start.

Modeling industry: Dasha’s life as a model & more

Dasha has always wanted to be a model and has always aspired to apply for GNTM one day. Especially as a beginner and newcomer to the industry, it’s not always easy and you have to adapt. We spoke to Dascha about her biggest role model and her dream job. She also told us how best to present yourself to a client and what to look out for, especially as a newcomer.

Beginnings, dream jobs & tips for newcomers: What is there to know?

FIV: Did you always want to be a model or did you have a different career aspiration? What was your dream job when you were a child?

Dasha: I wanted to be either a model or a policewoman.

FIV: Do you have a role model? Especially in the modeling business/ in the fashion world and why is it exactly this person? What inspires you most about this person?

Dasha: My biggest role model is my mom. She is so strong and funny and has the most beautiful character.

FIV: What does a model’s working day look like? Tell us about a typical day for you. When does it start and how do you start the day? What tasks do you have to do and when do you finish work?

Dascha: It’s difficult to say because I’m still “new” to the business.

FIV: What would be your dream job as a model? Is there a particular client you would like to work for or is there a particular show you would like to appear in?

Dasha: I want to work with those who also represent me.

FIV: In your opinion, what qualities are particularly important for a model? Do you have any tips for newcomers? What should they look out for?

Dasha: You shouldn’t complain. I wouldn’t put on airs and graces. We’re all just people, whether we’re celebrities or not. That’s why you should respect everyone.

Dasha in private: her best qualities & goals for the future

Throughout the show, we got to know Dasha as a very open and particularly cheerful and outgoing person. You can tell that she is good with people and can also sell herself well. These are very important qualities for a model, especially at castings. Even after the show, Dascha sees herself at the beginning of her career and has big goals in this business!

Why we will be hearing a lot more from Dasha

FIV: Tell our readers something about yourself. For example, what are your best and worst qualities? Do you have a certain habit that bothers or annoys you?

Dasha: Well, I’m a very kind person. I always listen to others and am always there for them. I’m down-to-earth and I’ll always stay that way.

FIV: What goals have you set yourself for the future? Where would you like to be in a few years, both professionally and privately?

Dasha: I definitely want to make it big. I want to continue to be a fly-by and leave even more footprints

According to the motto “Water for all, all for water”.

In this interview, we spoke with the managing director of Viva con Agua Carolin Stüdemann. We rewound time and asked how the idea behind Viva con Agua came about. Spoiler: Soccer plays a significant role here. Carolin also gives us a little insight into the various projects and what successes they have already celebrated. Maybe you have already heard about World Water Day. It takes place once a year, and we asked how important this day is. We also talked about the current Corona pandemic and its impact on Viva con Aguas projects. Sometimes there are positive impacts as well as negative ones. How you can support the aid organization, besides donating, and much more, you can find out here in this interview!

• Viva con Agua Instagram

The role of the St. Pauli neighborhood in Hamburg

FIV: Hello dear Carolin, how nice that it worked out with the interview today! Let’s start right away. We would like to turn back the clock to the beginnings of Viva con Agua. How did the idea of Viva con Agua come about?

Carolin: Viva con Agua was founded in and through the St. Pauli neighborhood in Hamburg. Benjamin Adrion, a professional soccer player for FC St. Pauli at the time, felt the need to get involved in something besides soccer after a training camp in Cuba. The idea was born to use the creative and social environment of the soccer club and the neighborhood to support social projects. With the first project – to improve water supply to kindergartens in Cuba – an incredible momentum was created. One year later, the non-profit association Viva con Agua de St. Pauli e.V. was finally founded with the vision “Water for all – all for water”.

Photo: Florian Quandt

Help without donating money? Yes, that is possible!

FIV: For our readers who don’t know Viva con Agua yet, how can people support you who don’t have the opportunity to donate?

Carolin: You can support Viva con Agua in many ways. The most important thing is to create awareness and attention for the important topic of drinking water among the general public. Because when we learn to appreciate water as a source of life, we also begin to protect this resource. Many also start a fundraising campaign with friends and acquaintances to collect donations for Viva con Agua. For example, they call on people to make a donation for drinking water instead of birthday gifts.*
Or they volunteer in one of the many city crews. For example, they are out and about at concerts and festivals with large deposit cup garbage cans and flags, collecting deposit cups that are donated to Viva con Agua. You can also support our work by buying our mineral water in the supermarket – the social alternative when you want something other than tap water.

Photo: Viva con Agua

Clean Drinking Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

FIV: What is your personal heart project?

Carolin: Any project that contributes to our goal of providing people with access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is a project close to our hearts. I wouldn’t prioritize them.

Besides Nepal & India, focus on Global South

FIV: You support most projects on the African continent. Do you have other projects planned on other continents?

Carolin: Our focus is on the Global South, especially the African continent. After all, a lot can be achieved in East and Southern Africa to give people access to clean drinking water. We are also particularly well networked here, for example with other organizations. But we also support projects in Nepal and India. In India, we are currently starting to implement our Universal Language Approach For Behavior Changes. We are using the universal languages of sport, music and art to provide a more joyful approach to issues such as hygiene and sanitation.

Photo: Bastian Wülfing

Living situation of 3.7 million people improved

FIV: What has been your biggest personal success with your projects so far?

Carolin: To date, we have reached around 3.7 million people with our projects and sustainably improved their living situation. That makes Viva con Agua and me incredibly proud.

World Water Day: Reminder of “Water is Life

FIV: Once a year there is World Water Day. How does this day help? Does it change anything?

Carolin: For Viva con Agua, World Water Day is the most important of the year. Because water is increasingly seen in a negative context in the media in Germany: From flood to “Are we running out of water?”. World Water Day offers the opportunity to set other perspectives and to remind people that “water is life”.

Achieving the goal: Infrastructure in the Global South

FIV: Your goal is to make clean water accessible to all. What all has to happen for this goal to be achieved?

Carolin: The focus here is primarily on infrastructure in the Global South. Because in order to ensure a long-term and sustainable water supply, the responsibility for maintenance and repairs must be in local hands. And of course, the topic of water should also receive more public attention outside of World Water Day, so that awareness of the issue can be raised. After all, water is a global issue – water cycles concern us all!

Photo: Nico Malkov

Clean drinking water accessible to all by 2030?

FIV: What year do you expect to reach your goal?

Carolin: In 2015, the UN adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs for short). Among other things, the UN has set itself the goal of providing all people worldwide with access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. We can see today that this is ambitious, because climate change also poses challenges to this goal. However, I remain optimistic and will continue to work with Viva con Agua to achieve this SDG!

Strong focus on hygiene due to pandemic

FIV: The pandemic caused a lot of chaos. How has the pandemic affected your projects?

Carolin: Our water projects are always holistic, i.e. they also include hygiene and sanitation measures. This is called WASH for short. One positive effect was certainly that the corona pandemic brought hygiene in particular very much into focus. The new or rediscovered awareness of hygienic procedures here in Germany has once again shown many people how important hygiene is, also in terms of disease prevention. However, as many of our focus countries, such as Uganda or South Africa, were in long lockdowns, this naturally made our work on the ground more difficult and slowed it down.

*Donation campaigns can be created securely and easily online:
https://www.vivaconagua.org/spendenaktion/

FIV: Thank you very much for your time! We wish you all the best on your way!

Photo: Andrin Fretz

Photo: Kevin McElvaney

Photo: Stefan Groenveld

Photo: Lea May

More about Viva con Agua

Did you like the interview with Carolin Stüdemann about Viva con Agua and would you like to learn more about the aid organization? Then you can find more information about the background in this article!

What is Viva con Agua? – Water is a human right!

An international network consisting of people and companies, and a non-profit association with the goal of making water accessible to all. The focus is on clean drinking water and basic sanitation with a focus on the Global South. Thousands of people already support the organization and actively help according to the motto: “Water for all, all for water”! You can find all information about the aid organization here!

• Viva con Agua: What is it?

Photo: Tabea Przybilla

Glow Up: Germany’s next make-up star

In this interview, Riccardo talks to us about his show and its background, what we can expect and what goals he is pursuing with it, because make up in Germany is still associated with pigeonhole thinking, although it is so much more. That’s why Riccardo has set himself the goal of creating respect for people who deal with Make Up In addition, Riccardo shares tips on the subject of Make Up and the realization of dreams.

Here you can find all episodes online:

• Glow Up / ZDFmediathek

How it all began… Glow Up!

FIV: Hello Riccardo, how nice that it worked out with the interview today. You are writing brand new stories in Germany with your 10 Talents: How and where did you find out about Glow Up becoming “your” show? What was your first spontaneous reaction, can you still remember it?

Riccardo: Yes, I can actually still remember that. It was around the German Television Award last year – my manager and I had a great conversation there with Thorsten Haas from ZDF, who told us about the idea. After that, there were further talks, all of which convinced me to help implement this project in Germany.

Destruction of drawers thinking

FIV: Why did you decide to do “Glow Up”, what convinced you about the concept of the show?

Riccardo: I think that, especially in Germany, we still stigmatize the subject of makeup a lot and put people who wear makeup or design makeup in a box that they often don’t fit into. I hope this show helps to show that behind this topic are often very personal motivations and a lot of creativity is required.

Challenges and personal stories

FIV: What can we expect in the first season of Glow?

Riccardo: I must say we really have a great cast that is very brave and convinces with absolute creativity. I am totally thrilled with the results they have achieved in the various challenges and can already say: It will be spectacular!

FIV: What was your favorite challenge, in which episode did you have the most fun and why?

Riccardo: I especially liked the challenges where our MUAs told personal stories with makeup, because I feel like it really makes you realize what a brilliant art form makeup can be.

Cover Boy! FIV #27 with Riccardo Simonetti

Now online! The new issue #27 with entertainer and Everybody’s Darling Riccardo Simonetti. About the first season Glow Up, the candidates and simple beauty tips for men.

• FIV #27 with Riccardo Simonetti
• FIV #27 read online

Copyright: ZDF/[F] Juliette Mainx EYECANDY / [M] Serviceplan

“Make up goes so much deeper than beauty.”

FIV: Positive messages are always important to you, what do you want to achieve with the show?

Riccardo: With Glow Up, I want to create respect for people who wear make-up or do make-up themselves, because I often have the feeling that we in Germany look at such people and often think that they must be superficial because they are passionate about make-up. I think what many people need to understand is that make up is not just about looking more beautiful, but also sometimes about creating something interesting. To tell your own stories. To process what you’ve experienced. Make up goes so much deeper than beauty. And I think this show will definitely make that clear.

FIV: What do you and the Glow Up jury use to decide which make-up will advance on this day, in this challenge, and which unfortunately will not? Is it speed, implementation of the theme, own creativity, a real wow effect?

Riccardo: Fortunately I’m more Team MUAs and I don’t have to do any evaluations and I’m not involved in the decision, that’s done by the jury and they are much stricter than I would be.

Riccardo’s Make Up Must-Haves

FIV: Your show is all about make up, also on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and in real life. What are your 3 personal makeup must haves?

Riccardo: When I’m not on TV and do my makeup in private, I focus on the eyes. I find with a black kajal or eye shadow you can very quickly turn into a rock star, otherwise transparent eyebrow gel and concealer.

FIV: I brought another question from the editorial office, from Stephan who really has no idea about Make Up: Especially for men who think with Make Up, where do you start?! As a simple start, what would be a basic that can be next to the razor in the bathroom or in the business bag?

Riccardo: I think concealer is a great tool because it’s easy to apply, you don’t need any skills for it and you can easily make dark circles or shadows disappear.

Tips for the implementation of dreams

FIV: What would you tell people who have a dream, whether they’re a makeup artist or an entertainer, but don’t quite know how to make it happen yet?

Riccardo: I would always recommend people to gain as much experience as possible in the field they want to enter. And that even on a small level. That way you find out very quickly if you really enjoy it or if you’ve projected something into the profession that isn’t actually there.

FIV: Thank you for the great interview! I wish you a lot of success on your way!

Glow Up: Show, candidates & dates

Are you interested in Riccardo’s show and want to know more about it? In this article you will find all the important information about Glow Up.

Glow Up: Here Make Up Dreams Come True

On Glow Up, ten make-up artists (MUA) compete against each other. In over eight episodes, the participating make-up talents have to prove their skills. The prizes are 20,000 euros and a contract with a renowned make-up agency. Here you can find all the important information about the show. We have also watched and summarized the first two episodes for you.

• Glow Up

Copyright: ZDF/[F] Juliette Mainx EYECANDY / [M] Serviceplan

Broadcast dates: All episodes in ZDFneo + ZDFmediathek

All 8 episodes and their broadcast dates on ZDFneo + always available in the ZDFmediathek:

• Episode 1: Thu., Sept. 22, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 2: Thu., Sept. 29, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 3: Thu., Oct. 06, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 4: Thu., Oct. 13, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 5: Thu., Oct. 20, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 6: Thu., Oct. 27, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 7: Thu., Nov. 03, 8:15 p.m.
• Episode 8: Thu., Nov. 10, 8:15 p.m.

Here you can find all episodes online:

• Glow Up / ZDFmediathek

From elementary school teaching to GNTM

FIV: Hello dear Johanna, how nice that it worked out with the interview. You are a successful model and already have a large reach on Instagram. Did you always want to work in the model and social media world or did you have other future goals in terms of your profession before GNTM?

Johanna: In fact, I always wanted to work with children and study elementary school teaching. I’ve loved being in front of the camera ever since I was little, and after taking part in GNTM, it was immediately clear to me that I wanted to continue in this field.

Tips: Pressure on social media

FIV: You are in the public eye and are active on social media as a social media personality. How great is the pressure in the business to always be “perfect”? What is the best way to deal with it?

Johanna: The pressure to be “perfect” is definitely there. When you’re in the public eye or actively using social media in general, you automatically compare yourself to others and often get a false self-perception as a result. However, I always try to do my thing and just show myself as I am, without constantly thinking about whether I meet any criteria or please everyone with it. I think if you think too much about how you present yourself, what you say and how you act, you can quickly become inauthentic and I definitely don’t want that. People are interested in me and my life and not in some version of me that is considered “perfect”.

How to feel comfortable in your skin

FIV: Keyword social media. You do a lot for body positivity. Do you have any tips for our readers on how they can feel good in their skin?

Johanna: The best tip I have for others to feel good is to ignore the opinion of others and be yourself. You can’t take negative comments to heart and just stand by yourself. There are always people who won’t like you, just like you don’t like everyone. You just have to focus on the things that you like about yourself and then emphasize and highlight them instead of constantly looking for flaws.

Life changed by GNTM

FIV: You owe your fame to GNTM, among other things. You took part in GNTM in 2020 and have been a successful model and active on social media ever since. How has your life changed since GNTM?

Johanna: My life hasn’t really changed that much apart from the fact that I now share a lot of things with people through Instagram. Sure, you’re often recognized and approached now when you’re out and about somewhere, but that doesn’t bother me at all, quite the opposite. I still worked in the beer garden after GNTM, just like before, and recently started studying, because I still find that super important in addition to social media.

Johanna’s artistic streak

FIV: In your free time you like to deal with art and paint. How did you get into art and would you like to work professionally as an artist or in the artistic field?

Johanna: Art was always my absolute favorite subject at school. Unfortunately, I had little time to pursue it after my school days. When I then had to involuntarily quarantine for a while, I started to paint again and will definitely deepen this hobby and maybe even earn money with it in the future. Artist as a main profession, I could imagine but rather not.

Projects that Johanna will pursue in the future

FIV: Finally a short look into the future, we are curious what you have planned in the near future: Do you have any big plans like a new project or a movie or is there something on the

Johanna: I don’t have any concrete plans for the future, I’ll let everything come to me. But I could definitely imagine further TV projects, if the right offer should come along. I will also continue to pursue modeling and hopefully make progress in this area. Otherwise, I just hope that the overall situation with Corona will relax again and maybe you can travel again without any problems, because there are still super many countries and places that I still want to see.

More about Germany’s Next Topmodel

Did you like the interview with Luca? Then read more interviews with former GNTM contestants here.

Interview with Lena Schreiber: GNTM, model career & fitness tips

Since her participation in the 16th season of Germany’s Next Topmodel, Lena Schreiber has not only been successful as a model and in social media, but has also started her own business as a coach, advising young people on fitness, health and nutrition. She has also recently published her first e-book. In our interview, the model talks about her time after GNTM, her modeling career and the support she receives from her family. In addition, the model tells us her two biggest inspirations, talks about her dream job and gives tips on fitness and healthy eating.

• Interview with Lena Schreiber

Photo: Leon Schleßelmann

Interview with Natascha Jasmin Beil: GNTM & Beauty Tips

We met ex-GNTM participant Natascha Jasmin Beil for an exclusive interview. She became known through her participation in the 6th season and is still active today as a model, influencer and TV personality. Recently, the beauty has also returned to work as a hairdresser on the side. She talked to us about her life, GNTM, her dog Tyson and her most beautiful trips. In addition, she has given us as a beauty expert hair care and make-up tips!

• Natascha Jasmin Beil Interview

Interview with Jana Heinisch: Radio show & model career

Jana Heinisch Interview – Jana Heinisch is a true multi-talent: Since her participation in the 9th season of GNTM, the red-haired beauty is not only a model, but also works as a radio host and is a pilot. In the interview with us, Jana talks about her career as a stewardess and pilot, reveals her dream travel destination and talks about her radio show and her own podcast. Jana also talks exclusively to us about her participation in GNTM, her modeling career and her plans for the future.

• Jana Heinisch in interview

Photo: Nikk Martin

Late entry, training as photo designer & family cohesion

FIV: As a child, did you like to take pictures and what were your favorite motifs at the beginning?

Julia: I came relatively late to photography, around the age of 20…Before that I didn’t have a camera in my hand and wasn’t very interested in photography although my father worked for KODAK for years.

FIV: What was your career as a photographer like? Where did you get your photography skills from?

Julia: After the Abitur I didn’t know for a long time what I wanted to become. Then I had the possibility to do an internship with a fashion photographer and saw there for the first time a kind of career wish for me. I continued to assist, then did an apprenticeship as a state-approved photo designer, after that I assisted again freely and firmly and finally I became self-employed. My photography skills come from the classical education, I learned analog and then of course from my practical experience during my residency. And of course through many free works.

FIV: Were there people in your environment who were worried that you could not live from your work as a photographer?

Julia: No, fortunately not, or rather they didn’t say it because they saw how vehemently I pursued my career aspiration and that I had a fixed goal in mind. So I was rather encouraged and supported.

Julia about talent, teamwork on set & professionalism

FIV: Is there such a thing as talent in photography or is experience the most important thing?

Julia: Definitely, in my opinion talent is still the most important thing. But talent alone is not enough.
Experience can also be very helpful, but it takes time.

FIV: Nowadays you don’t photograph alone anymore, but with a big team of make-up artists, lighting and of course models. Who organizes the whole thing and how does a day with a shooting at your place work?

Julia: For most of my current jobs I am allowed to put together the team. Here I help myself from my pool of experienced and well-rehearsed people who fit perfectly to the respective shooting.

FIV: Amazon and Hugo Boss have already used your services. With such big clients there was certainly some action around the shootings. Which one do you like to remember best?

Julia: I remember big jobs and also smaller ones. All jobs, no matter how small or big, received the same attention, the same intensive preparation, the selection of the team etc. Not only the professionalism, the concentrated work on the set but also the humanity and the joy during the job play a big role for me.
And so every piece of the puzzle makes a big whole.

Beauty Portraits & Training as a photographer

FIV: You photograph for different industries and accordingly take different pictures with quite different objectives. What kind of pictures do you prefer to make in your private life?

Julia: I don’t really do much photography in private. My favourite works are usually the “beauty portraits”. A mixture of close-up and portrait.

FIV: What would you recommend to a young person whose dream is to become a photographer? Should one proceed differently today than in the past? What do you think are the biggest challenges as a photographer today?

Julia: For me personally it was still important to do the classical training. But that was 20 years ago. As a photographer, I was still allowed to grow up with analogue technology.
I think it’s nice to be able to look back.
It helped me a lot as a foundation and development to master the entrance into digital photography.

Today, the classic job description of the photographer no longer exists. Today the photographer is more of a “content creator”, everything has changed a lot compared to back then.
I don’t want to judge that at all. But the classic photographer from back then definitely has to reinvent himself today.
I think today it is easier for newcomers or autodidacts to enter the world of photography. There are numerous tools. In my opinion, the classical training is no longer necessary. Personality is important to show yourself and your skills.

Julia’s plans for the future: exhibition, book & gratitude

FIV: Finally, let’s talk about your future. What are the biggest goals you want to achieve as a photographer? What are your biggest goals that you still want to achieve in life? Is there anything new on the horizon?

Julia: Photography has always been a dream job for me, I am still very grateful to be able to work as a photographer.
An exhibition would be a great thing. A hardcover book with my best works so far would be great. Apart from that I am open and thankful for everything that will come.