Germany's next top model 2022: This is how the first episode for Kashmira from Winnenden went - Rems-Murr-Kreis - Stuttgarter Nachrichten

She's eight inches shorter than most models - and still wants to win on Heidi Klum's TV show. The season 17 premiere was filmed in Athens.

Winnenden - A "firework of emotions" - this is how the 20-year-old Kashmira Maduwege describes her feelings when she walked the catwalk of the TV show Germanys Next Topmodel (GNTM) for the first time in a flowing dress. The Winnenderin is among the 31 candidates who were introduced to the viewers on Thursday in the first episode - and, as much can be said, will still be there in round two.

The presenter Heidi Klum is enthusiastic about Maduwege. Guest judge Kylie Minogue also raves after Winnender's performance: "You shone," said the singer. With this decision, it is clear that Kashmira Maduwege can travel to the Greek island of Mykonos with the other remaining candidates for the next shoot. Maduwege got a lot of airtime in the first episode. Among other things, viewers learn about her family, whose roots are in Sri Lanka, and see that the model can sing and play the guitar.

Diversity, yes please - but the models should still match the outfit

The current season of the television show, which is being broadcast on Pro Sieben, is the 17th edition of the search for Germany's next top model. This year, diversity is a top priority, at least officially. Kashmira Maduwege is very short at almost 1.55 meters, while another candidate measures 1.95 meters. Women's dress sizes range from 30 to 54. A woman from Hamburg wants to prove that she can still achieve something at the "model retirement age" of 32 - and when it comes to years under her belt, she's even outperformed by two over 60 candidates. "The demand for diversity is greater than ever," says Heidi Klum happily, "isn't it great that everything is changing in the fashion world now?"

Read from our offer: The candidate from Winnenden even sings

It remains to be seen whether everything will really change. Last but not least, Heidi Klum and her show have done a lot to ensure that the ideals of beauty and the image of man in the industry are what they are. But at least: As in previous seasons, the topic of nutrition plays a prominent role. The creators want to counter criticism that the show contributes to eating disorders in young women. And so Heidi Klum accidentally gets cravings for Zaziki in front of the camera. In view of the participating seniors, the moderator now also says "models" instead of "meedchen". But when a candidate takes off the shoes that just don't fit her and walks barefoot down the catwalk, it means the end for her. Diversity, yes please – but women have to somehow fit into the outfit.

Kylie Minogue is also only 1.52 meters tall

Which is not so easy in Kashmira Maduwege's case, after all she measures around 20 centimeters less than many agencies require their models to be. The magnificent dress has to be shortened for the woman from Winnenden - "but that's not bad at all," emphasizes the Berlin designer Jasmin Erbas, who "also cares about the topic of diversity". With the shortened dress, the woman from Winnender manages to make a convincing appearance despite her great excitement, which gives her a photo and takes her one step further. After all, Kylie Minogue is only 1.52 meters – and still a superstar.