Moritz wins at GNTM: Surprises and trouble behind the scenes!

Moritz wins at GNTM: Surprises and trouble behind the scenes!

“Germany’s Next Top Model” (GNTM) 2025 brought an exciting finale. Moritz Rüdiger, the only 19-year-old winner, has now taken his place in the history of the format and is the second male winner after Jermaine Kothé. But the victory was not without controversy. GMX reports that Heidi Klum's decision to proclaim Moritz the winner was questioned. Rumors are circulating that she originally preferred Pierre Lang, who ultimately came in second place.

This led to dissatisfied voices from the audience. Many viewers felt that Pierre deserved it more. A look at social media shows a wave of disappointment over the result, and Moritz was often perceived as listless and unmotivated, which was criticized by viewers. Pierre, on the other hand, showed more ambition, which sparked wide-ranging discussions about the level of ratings. Berlin courier documents the deepest emotions after the decision, when Pierre, despite his disappointment, made it clear that he wanted to continue pursuing his modeling career.

Behind the scenes and the reactions

The reactions to Moritz’s victory weren’t just heated online. Colleague Samuel expressed his concerns about Moritz's attitude and the impression he left during the season in a TikTok video. A backstage video snippet shows that Nawin, a friend of Pierre, reacted to Moritz's victory with a disheartened "Fuck". Moritz himself, on the other hand, deals with the criticism calmly and made it clear that other opinions would not diminish his victory. He emphasized that he was proud of his performance, despite the negative reactions. He also always displayed a casual attitude and rejected spontaneous challenges from designer Marina Hoermanseder.

It also became clear in the final phases of the season that Moritz achieved good performances, but also had irritating moments. This led to even more discussion among fans, who, according to numerous comments, were more in favor of Pierre, who was considered “the real winner” by viewers. The pressure on participants and the invisible boundaries of the format raise many questions, especially in a context where the show is already in disrepute, not only for its treatment of participants but also for its practices. GNTM has been criticized for years, especially because of its reporting on mental health problems and the alleged manipulation of participants.

A look at the GNTM history

“Germany’s Next Top Model” was launched 20 years ago and is now the longest-running adaptation of the “America’s Next Top Model” format. It features Heidi Klum as host and lead judge and has spawned 20 full seasons. But the format is not only facing fame, but also considerable criticism. Allegations of gaslighting, abuse of power and inadequate treatment of candidates have increased in recent years. Wikipedia documents the challenges facing the format and highlights legal disputes affecting the terms of candidates' contracts. It remains to be seen how the format will develop in the future and whether viewers will turn away from such scandals.