{{short description|German fashion model}} {{Infobox model |name = Simone Kowalski |image = |caption = |birth_name = |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|07|25|df=yes}} |birth_place = Stade, Lower Saxony, Germany |citizenship = |occupation = Model |yearsactive = {{start date|2019}}–present |height = |haircolor = |eyecolor = |spouse = |children = |website = |agency = }}
'''Simone''' "'''Simi'''" '''Kowalski''' (born 25 July 1997) is a German fashion model who became known as the winner of the fourteenth cycle of ''Germany's Next Topmodel'' in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Simone Hartseil aus Stade gewinnt "Germany's next Topmodel"|url=https://www.abendblatt.de/vermischtes/article219658649/GNTM-2019-Simone-Simi-Kowalski-ist-Germanys-next-Topmodel.html|accessdate=24 May 2019|date=24 May 2019}} {{in lang|de}}</ref> She is sometimes referred to as '''Simi'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=GNTM-Finale 2019: SIE ist die Siegerin|url=https://www.ok-magazin.de/specials/germanys-next-topmodel/gntm-finale-2019-sie-ist-die-siegerin-59235.html|accessdate=23 May 2019|date=}} {{in lang|de}}</ref>
==Life and career== Kowalski lives in Stade. In her youth she practiced athletics at VfL Stade.<ref>{{cite web|title="Germany's Next Topmodel"-Kandidatin besucht Leichtathletikabteilung|url=https://www.vfl-stade.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=655:%E2%80%9Egermany%E2%80%99s-next-topmodel%E2%80%9C-kandidatin-besucht-leichtathletikabteilung&catid=32:leichtathletik|accessdate=4 April 2019|date=}} {{in lang|de}}</ref> She studies international primary school teaching.<ref>{{cite web|title=SIMONE|url=https://www.prosieben.de/tv/germanys-next-topmodel/models/staffel-14-2019/simone|accessdate=3 January 2019|date=3 January 2019}} {{in lang|de}}</ref>
In 2019, she participated in the 14th season of Germany's Next Topmodel. In the final of the casting show, which took place on May 23, 2019 in Düsseldorf's ISS Dome, she was chosen as the winner. She received a contract with the model agency ONEeins fab Management, prize money of 100,000 euros and a cover shoot for the fashion magazine ''Harper's Bazaar''.
In 2020 Kowalski said about Germany's Next Topmodel that "it is not right that it is perceived as entertainment, how young people make each other down." She also stated, that she is not able to watch the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bild.de/unterhaltung/tv/tv/simone-kowalski-im-playboy-heidi-klums-topmodel-rechnet-mit-gntm-ab-69909932.bild.html|title = Simone Kowalski nackt im "Playboy": GNTM-Siegerin rechnet mit Show ab|date = 7 April 2020}}</ref>
In August 2022 in the wake of allegations by former participants against Germany's Next Topmodel, Simone Kowalski also spoke up as she said: "Top Model is very dangerous for today's and the previous generations! Many young women have mental trauma! Heidi says she's just being the hostess, but she has a responsibility to at least face the pain and trauma that has been inflicted on many girls!". Kowalski also teamed up with America's Next Top Model contestant Lisa D'Amato to talk about her traumatic experiences with Germany's Next Topmodel.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tag24.de/unterhaltung/tv/germanysnexttopmodel/gewinnerin-simone-kowalski-ueber-gntm-trauma-heidi-traegt-die-verantwortung-2578836 | title=Gewinnerin Simone Kowalski über GNTM-Trauma: "Heidi trägt die Verantwortung" }}</ref> She said during the interview, that Germany’s Next Topmodel made her sick: "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." She also said that after the show she was forced against her will to work for Heidi Klum's father. To former contestants defending the show, she says: "Good for you, but not for everyone". In her opinion, Germany's Next Topmodel should be discontinued.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stylebook.de/life/interviews/simone-kowalski-gntm-machte-mich-krank | title=Simone Kowalski: »GNTM machte mich krank! | date=15 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.watson.de/unterhaltung/prominente/940664187-gntm-ex-siegerin-weint-vor-kamera-und-packt-ueber-schlimme-erfahrungen-aus | title="GNTM": Ex-Siegerin weint vor Kamera – und spricht über ihre Erfahrungen }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kowalski, Simone}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:German female models Category:Germany's Next Topmodel winners Category:People from Stade