This was the casting episode. The top 50 girls were narrowed down to the top 30 after meeting the judges for the first time. The top 30 contestants then had their first live runway show. After the runway concluded, 24 contestants were chosen to advance into the competition. The contestants were divided into two teams of twelve. Half of them would be in Team Michael and the other half in Team Thomas.

Team Michael and team Thomas were divided to two islands - Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. After arriving at their new accommodation, they soon noticed all luxury and glamour was gone. Team Michael did a photo shoot in the dunes, where Fred struggled to deliver. Meanwhile, team Thomas had a group shoot challenge with Toni Garrn. After finishing the photo shoot in the dunes, the girls in team Michael faced a runway challenge featuring Toni. Team Thomas continued on the beach for their first shoot. While the whole group received praise for their results, Heidi called out Saskia and Lara-Kristin as the weakest of the group. At elimination, the unsafe contestants were Fred, Lara-Kristin, Saskia, Sophie and Laura Penelope, who was originally safe from elimination but landed in the bottom for refusing to have her dreadlocks cut, and was given the choice of staying in the competition on the condition that she allow her dreadlocks to be cut, or going home. Out of the unsafe girls from team Michael (Fred and Sophie), Fred was eliminated, and out of those from team Thomas (Lara-Kristin and Saskia), Saskia was sent home, while Laura Penelope decided against her makeover and was also out of the competition.

After the airing of the episode, it was revealed by ProSieben that Luisa from team Michael withdrew from the competition for personal reasons before the other members of team Michael travelled to Fuerteventura. Her withdrawal was not shown during the episode.^[5]

• Quit: Luisa Bolghiran
• Challenge winner: Shirin Kelly
• Bottom five: Fred Riss, Lara-Kristin Bayer, Laura Penelope Baumgärtner, Saskia Böhlcke & Sophie Schweer
• Quit: Laura Penelope Baumgärtner
• Eliminated: Fred Riss & Saskia Böhlcke
• Featured photographer: Matt McCabe
• Special guests: Toni Garrn

After castings in Madrid and Milan, the teams reunited in Los Angeles.

• Best photo: Lara Helmer
• Booked for job: Julia Wulf (2x), Lara Helmer,^[6] Shirin Kelly^[7] & Yusra Babekr-Ali
• Eliminated: Shirin Kelly & Sophie Schweer
• Featured photographer: Blake Little

The makeovers took place this week, with some girls receiving more drastic changes than others. Especially Kim, Lara-Kristin and Laura Franziska caused drama due to the massive changes that were done on them. The girls then did a sedcard photoshoot with guest photographer Max Montgomery. The next day, Michael and Thomas hosted a challenge for the girls, creating speed camera B&W pictures. Lara-Kristin won the challenge and therefore received immunity for this week. At the elimination, the girls presented team-themed Haute Couture dresses, with model Andreja Pejić first teaching and later judging them. Kim and Julia performed best, while many others struggled. Jasmin especially again faced heavy criticism for her clumsy walk. In the end, Cindy was eliminated due to her bad performance this week.

• Challenge winner / Immune: Lara-Kristin Bayer
• Eliminated: Cindy Unger
• Guest judge: Andreja Pejić
• Featured photographer: Max Montgomery

The girls did a swing shooting at great heights. Heidi chose Fata to have delivered the best photo. Afterwards, Team Thomas flew to New York City while Team Michael headed to Miami. Team Thomas faced two castings, one for Indie magazine, where Taynara, Jasmin and Julia were booked for the job, doing a prom-themed photoshoot. At the second casting for Fashion Avenue, the customer decided to invite Fata, Elena C. and Elena K. to a motorcycle shooting. Afterwards, it was revealed that Elena K. was booked for the job. In Miami, Team Michael took part in a casting for Shape magazine, doing a workout routine. Luana was booked for the job. At the elimination, the girls walked a runway with pyrotechnical effects. Beforehand, Jasmin received an individual walk training with Heidi. Taynara and Christin, who were also paired, delivered the best catwalk performance. Later, Jennifer and Laura from Team Thomas were eliminated. Laura's departure caused Jasmin to think about exiting as well, but Thomas convinced her to stay in the competition.

• Best photo: Fata Hasanovic
• Booked for job: Elena Kilb, Jasmin Lekudere, Julia Wulf, Taynara Silva Wolf & Luana Florea
• Eliminated: Jennifer Daschner & Laura Bräutigam
• Guest judge: Eva Cavalli
• Featured photographer: Robert Erdmann

For the photoshoot, the girls were divided into four groups, with each group receiving a different color theme and accessories. They later faced a runway challenge vying for a chance to participate in a casting for Berlin Fashion Week, where the girls had to walk in shoes not their size. Team Michael won. One segment focused on Camilla from Team Thomas stumbling while walking the challenge and breaking a toe. For the elimination, the girls transformed into dolls and were flown over the runway. Christin was eliminated first due to her bad performance at photoshoot and runway. Later, Laura Franziska and Yusra landed in the bottom two; eventually, Heidi decided that Yusra was out as well.

• Booked for job: Team Michael
• Eliminated: Christin Götzke
• Bottom two: Laura Franziska Blank & Yusra Babekr-Ali
• Eliminated: Yusra Babekr-Ali
• Special guests: Winnie Harlow
• Featured photographer: Rankin

Due to winning the challenge the week before, Team Michael headed to Berlin Fashion Week, attending a casting for Maybelline. Luana was booked for the runway job, got to close the show and later received immunity this week because she could not make it in time for the photoshoot. The teams headed to Sydney for a nude photo shoot in a jungle, involving Australian animals. Drama emerged mainly from Fata and Laura Franziska not wanting to shoot nude. Later, Fata decided to leave her underwear on due to religious reasons. Throughout the whole episode, the crew had to deal with intrusive paparazzi. For the elimination, the girls did a red carpet walk in front of the Sydney skyline, with guest designer Michael Costello dressing them. Kim performed best this week despite her "nipple flash" during the walk. Lara-Kristin, Camilla and Lara landed in the bottom three; in the end, Lara-Kristin was eliminated.

• Booked for job / Immune: Luana Florea
• Bottom three: Camilla Cavalli, Lara Helmer & Lara-Kristin Bayer
• Eliminated: Lara-Kristin Bayer
• Special guests: Michael Costello
• Featured photographer: Damian Bennett

The episode started with the girls discovering paparazzi pictures of last week's elimination. Especially Kim was devastated due to one of these pictures showing her "nipple flash". The models then did a photoshoot in an ice truck, posing as ice fairies. Fata once again was deemed best. The next day, Michael and Thomas hosted a challenge. The girls had to create a fashion show on the beach with clothes they bought in nearby boutiques. They also had to look out for male walking partners. Jasmin won the challenge and therefore received a Michael Michalsky dress. At the elimination, the girls portrayed "space goddesses", walking on rough underground in metallic and stiff outfits. Laura Franziska, Camilla and Elena K. landed in the bottom three, Camilla and Elena K. even in the bottom two. Heidi then decided that Camilla had to leave the competition.

• Best photo: Fata Hasanovic
• Challenge winner: Jasmin Lekudere
• Bottom three: Camilla Cavalli, Elena Kilb & Laura Franziska Blank
• Eliminated: Camilla Cavalli
• Featured photographer: Henryk Lobacezwski

The week started with the models attending a casting for Heidi's underwear line. Elena C. was booked for the job. They then headed back to Los Angeles, where they moved into their model villa for the first time. The next day, the girls had a group photoshoot with a snake in a theatre. Each girl got to pick accessoires, the amount of snakes and how many girls they wanted in the picture. This time, Thomas and Michael were present at the shoot, giving the girls directions and helping them create beautiful images. Both of them opted for Jasmin to have produced the best image; as a prize; she won a brand new Opel Adam (although she didn't have a driver's license). At the elimination, the girls all wore the same red dress. First, they had to present it by themselves and then as a "joint" dress. Before that, the jury decided to send Julia home because her health hadn't recovered over the weeks. Luana, Lara and Laura Franziska from Team Michael landed in the bottom three; Laura Franziska was eliminated.

• Best photo: Jasmin Lekudere
• Booked for job: Elena Carrière
• Quit: Julia Wulf
• Bottom three: Lara Helmer, Laura Franziska Blank & Luana Florea
• Eliminated: Laura Franziska Blank
• Featured photographer: Adam Flipp, Mario Schmolka

The week started with Thomas and Michael teaching the girls about interactions with male models. For this purpose, they acted out a scene with a male model and did a mini photoshoot with a perfume campaign in mind. They then took part in a fashion film depicting a wedding ceremony with an "ugly" groom. Elena C. was deemed best, while Laura and Elena K. struggled to deliver. The next day, Thomas and Michael prepared the girls for the upcoming Philips casting, at which Elena C. managed to land the job. Throughout the whole episode, a lot of drama occurred between Elena C. and Jasmin/Fata. At the elimination, the girls were required to act out a scene on a treadmill instead of an ordinary catwalk. Elena K., Lara and Laura landed in the bottom three, Lara and Laura even in the bottom two. The jury decided to send Laura home this week.

• Booked for job: Elena Carrière
• Bottom three: Elena Kilb, Lara Helmer & Laura Bleicher
• Eliminated: Laura Bleicher
• Featured photographer: Christian Anwander
• Special guests: Aladdin Ishmael, Del Keens, John Economou, Marcellus Williams

This week, the girls attended a casting for the Comfy Couture label Boulezar. Jasmin was booked for the job. Later, Thomas and Michael visited the girls in their villa to host a challenge: They had to create an outfit from their own and given Levi's clothes and present it to the judges, showcasing their personal style. Elena C. won the challenge and received a Levi's coupon as a prize. This week's photo shoot took place in a haunted mansion with male model Tim Neff. The girls had to pose lying above a bed, giving scary, but also high-fashion expressions. After the shoot, Heidi announced that she would take her top two candidates to the amfAR gala in New York. For the live walk, the girls were dressed in B&W full-body outfits covering everything so that the jury could only tell from the walk who it was. Lara and Luana landed in the bottom two, Luana was eliminated. Heidi furthermore chose Kim and Elena C. to accompany her to the amfAR gala.

• Booked for job: Jasmin Lekudere
• Challenge winner: Elena Carrière
• Bottom two: Lara Helmer & Luana Florea
• Eliminated: Luana Florea
• Featured photographer: Russell James

Kim and Elena C. flew to New York City after being chosen by Heidi last week to go to the amfAR gala. The three of them attended the red carpet event and then flew right back to Los Angeles for this week's photoshoot. The girls were tasked to cry in the rain while posing besides or in a car. Then, the casting for Opel took place, where Kim won her first job. The next segment focused on the girls' loved ones' introduction and arrival in Los Angeles. At the elimination, the girls portrayed Old Hollywoood divas, walking down a red carpet in elegant outfits. At the end of the runway, Heidi made up reasons why she didn't have a photo for the girls, but then their invited loved one would appear and hand out the photos (except for Fata, whose mother had visa complications). No one was eliminated this week.

• Booked for job: Kim Hnizdo
• Eliminated: None
• Featured photographer: Brian Bowen Smith
• Special guests: Zac Posen, Uma Thurman, Robert De Niro, Jay Z, Paris Hilton, Ryan Reynolds

The casting for Gillette/Venus took place this week. Patrick Karcher from Gillette/Venus expressed his interest in Jasmin, Lara and Fata especially. Fata was booked for her first job. The girls then did a photoshoot with their family members. Each girl and their counterpart shot in various sets, including a bath tub, portraying a pillow fight etc.; Lara and Elena K. were criticized, while Heidi chose Kim and Jasmin as her favorites from the shoot. The next day, Fata shot the campaign for Gillette/Venus and the visitors from home had to leave again. At the elimination, the girls had to portray princesses, walking on a fully laid table. Only Kim, Jasmin and Elena C. reached the semi-finale directly, whereas Taynara, Elena K., Lara and Fata landed in the bottom four for various reasons. In the end, Elena K. was eliminated.

• Booked for job: Fata Hasanovic
• Bottom four: Elena Kilb, Fata Hasanovic, Lara Helmer & Taynara Silva Wolf
• Eliminated: Elena Kilb
• Featured photographer: Andrew Macpherson
• Special guests: Patrick Karcher

Today's week decided who would be in the live finale. Before the obligatory cover shooting for Cosmopolitan, Heidi took the girls out for In-N-Out burgers and to a shop where they created their very own 3D action figure. Thomas and Michael were tasked to set up a whole fashion show for their girls and Heidi. Both judges prepared and rehearsed with their team beforehand. After the shows, it was particularly difficult to decide who would not move on to the finale because, as Heidi emphasized, none of the girls had performed badly. In the end, she decided for Lara to be eliminated, whereas Kim (as the lonely representer for Team Michael), Fata and Elena C. directly reached the finale. Jasmin and Taynara landed in the bottom two, but also moved on, making this season the first time that five contestants were let into the finale.

• Eliminated: Lara Helmer
• Bottom two: Jasmin Lekudere & Taynara Silva Wolf
• Second eliminated: None
• Featured photographer: Brian Bowen Smith
• Special guests: Stefanie Giesinger

The girls attended six castings in Shanghai. Before the first elimination Elena came out as bisexual and revealed she has had a crush on Kim.^[8] Taynara was eliminated first. Laura Bl. was chosen to open the Top 21 walk after an online voting between the girls who did not reach the final. Jasmin was eliminated second, followed by Fata after a photoshoot. After the final walk, Kim was declared the winner, with Elena placing second.

• Booked for job: Elena Carrière (2x), Fata Hasanovic (3x), Kim Hnizdo (4x), Jasmin Lekudere (2x) & Taynara Silva Wolf
• Final five: Elena Carrière, Fata Hasanovic, Jasmin Lekudere, Kim Hnizdo & Taynara Silva Wolf
• Bottom two: Fata Hasanovic & Taynara Silva Wolf
• Eliminated: Taynara Silva Wolf
• Top 21 walk opener: Laura Bleicher
• Final four: Elena Carrière, Fata Hasanovic, Jasmin Lekudere & Kim Hnizdo
• Eliminated: Jasmin Lekudere
• Final three: Elena Carrière, Fata Hasanovic & Kim Hnizdo
• Bottom two: Fata Hasanovic & Kim Hnizdo
• Eliminated: Fata Hasanovic
• Final two: Elena Carrière & Kim Hnizdo
• Germany's Next Topmodel: Kim Hnizdo
• Featured photographer: Kristian Schuller
• Special guests: Nick Jonas, Sean Paul, Jay Sean, Rebecca Mir, will.i.am