"Germany's Next Top Model": Models are tricked by their families

Tears of reunion make the pool in the model penthouse overflow: Heidi Klum (51) flies friends and relatives of her models to Los Angeles. But emotional moments with their families are followed by the hour of thrills on "GNTM" (Thursdays, 8:15 p.m., ProSieben or joyn ). After an extravagant fashion walk, it's all about moving on to the next round. Heidi shares her decision not with the models themselves, but with their families. And they're thoroughly fooling the models.

Video messages are followed by real hugs

Heidi's contestants haven't seen their loved ones in more than three months. A long time, Heidi thinks, and promptly flies them to Los Angeles. The models are initially unaware of this. Families and friends address the ten remaining members in emotional video messages. Aaliyah (22) feels "simply overwhelmed" by her family's video greeting. Magdalena (21) wipes the tears from her face during the short clip of her mother Milanka: "She always showed me the reflection of a very strong woman." But she's also "a little disappointed" that she "couldn't hug her mom." That can be changed.

Now Heidi invites her models into the shared apartment's living room. A very special surprise awaits them: their family and friends – tangible and real. Eliob's (29) boyfriend has flown in especially from Tokyo. Daniela's (20) father, Danilo, even overcame his fear of flying for her and sat on a plane for twelve hours. Kevin (24), a loner by choice, also has a lot to tell his sister Klaudia. And Magdalena can finally hug her mother Milanka again. After the tears of reunion, everyone spends a few relaxing days in LA.

Balancing act with giant wigs

Sightseeing with loved ones is followed by a return to the "GNTM" modeling competition. A fashion walk in extravagant outfits by Swiss designer Yannik Zamboni (37) will decide who advances this time. Canel (26) knows: "Nobody makes fashion like Yannik." Indeed: Zamboni's designs are "edgy" and resemble works of art, characterized by minimal fabric and oversized wigs. While the competition is looking forward to the hairy wardrobes, Moritz (19) and Kevin are struggling with their modeling destiny. Both are expected to rock towering green and blonde hairpieces down the catwalk. "It's crazy how there are always ways to make it even more evil," Moritz vents. Pierre (22), as always, takes a positive approach: "When something interests him, he's very motivated and practices," says his mother Daniela. Who will make it to the next round?

"I'm a little bit in love"

Tensions are high behind the catwalk. Family members and friends watch their personal top models walk with equal amounts of pride and nervousness. "A great face, but also a great butt," Heidi Pierre attests as he strides down the runway. Aaliyah confidently walks down the catwalk in front of her sister Sarah, who sheds another tear.

Designer Zamboni becomes a "super fan" after Canel's walk: "I'm a little bit in love." Heidi and Zamboni, on the other hand, would have preferred a more powerful appearance from Magdalena. It could be a tight squeeze for them. And it's also noticeable that Moritz and Kevin can't quite shake off their dislike for her outfits.

"It's really hard for me to pick someone and say, 'Unfortunately, it's over for you now,'" Heidi said before the decision. Therefore, she decided on something new. It wasn't the models, but their companions who received the liberating photo from her as a symbol of progress—or the message that it was all over. "Your family member would then tell you that your dream was shattered," Aaliyah said, horrified. But, like most models, she had nothing to fear. At the end, Eliob's friend Myat and Magdalena's mother Milanka were standing in front of Heidi, trembling. With "sweaty hands and a racing heart," Magdalena waited behind the scenes. "It's good that Mom is here today," Yannik Zamboni remarked meaningfully. Myat's heart was also pounding. Will they both bring a photo back to their loved ones? Cut.

Milanka and Myat return from Heidi's feedback with sad expressions and empty hands. It seems as if Eliob and Magdalena are out. Then mother Milanka pulls a photo for her daughter from under her T-shirt. Eliob is through too – no one is eliminated. "Mom, stop it!" Magdalena reacts, angry and relieved at the same time. "Heidi said we should play well," explains Milanka. "I need to talk to Heidi again," says Magdalena. She can do that in the next episode, when the top ten approaches the finish line.

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