Simone Kowalski — Biography
Born on July 25, 1997, Simone Kowalski, often called Simi, is a German model who gained widespread recognition after winning the fourteenth season of Germany's Next Topmodel in 2019. As of December 2024, her Instagram presence boasts a following of 171,000.
Residing in Stade, Kowalski was an athlete in her youth, participating in track and field for VfL Stade. She is also pursuing a degree in international primary school teaching. Her journey to fame began in 2019 when she entered the fourteenth cycle of Germany's Next Topmodel. The competition culminated on May 23, 2019, in Düsseldorf's ISS Dome, where she was crowned the winner. Her victory came with a contract from the modeling agency ONEeins fab Management, a prize of 100,000 euros, and a cover feature in Harper's Bazaar.
In 2020, Kowalski expressed her reservations about the show's portrayal, stating it was wrong for it to be perceived as entertainment where young people put each other down. She admitted to being unable to watch it. In August 2022, in response to accusations from former contestants, Kowalski shared her own experiences. She described Germany's Next Topmodel as incredibly dangerous for current and past participants, highlighting the mental trauma many young women endured. She criticized host Heidi Klum, suggesting that despite her role as hostess, she bore a responsibility to acknowledge the pain and trauma inflicted upon many girls. Kowalski also collaborated with Lisa D'Amato, a contestant from America's Next Top Model, to discuss her distressing time on the German show. She revealed that Germany's Next Topmodel had made her ill, stating, "They took everything from me, I almost lost my family, my friends, all my money. It was inhuman - they broke me mentally. I came on the show healthy and got sick." Furthermore, she claimed that post-show, she was compelled to work for Heidi Klum's father against her wishes. To those former contestants who defend the show, she offered, "Good for you, but not for everyone." Kowalski believes Germany's Next Topmodel should cease production. In May 2020, she was featured on the cover of the German edition of Playboy magazine.
Residing in Stade, Kowalski was an athlete in her youth, participating in track and field for VfL Stade. She is also pursuing a degree in international primary school teaching. Her journey to fame began in 2019 when she entered the fourteenth cycle of Germany's Next Topmodel. The competition culminated on May 23, 2019, in Düsseldorf's ISS Dome, where she was crowned the winner. Her victory came with a contract from the modeling agency ONEeins fab Management, a prize of 100,000 euros, and a cover feature in Harper's Bazaar.
In 2020, Kowalski expressed her reservations about the show's portrayal, stating it was wrong for it to be perceived as entertainment where young people put each other down. She admitted to being unable to watch it. In August 2022, in response to accusations from former contestants, Kowalski shared her own experiences. She described Germany's Next Topmodel as incredibly dangerous for current and past participants, highlighting the mental trauma many young women endured. She criticized host Heidi Klum, suggesting that despite her role as hostess, she bore a responsibility to acknowledge the pain and trauma inflicted upon many girls. Kowalski also collaborated with Lisa D'Amato, a contestant from America's Next Top Model, to discuss her distressing time on the German show. She revealed that Germany's Next Topmodel had made her ill, stating, "They took everything from me, I almost lost my family, my friends, all my money. It was inhuman - they broke me mentally. I came on the show healthy and got sick." Furthermore, she claimed that post-show, she was compelled to work for Heidi Klum's father against her wishes. To those former contestants who defend the show, she offered, "Good for you, but not for everyone." Kowalski believes Germany's Next Topmodel should cease production. In May 2020, she was featured on the cover of the German edition of Playboy magazine.
