Glow Up - Deutschlands nächster Make-up-Star

Behind the Brushstrokes: The Drama and Glam of Glow Up – Deutschlands nächster Make-up-Star

Germany’s answer to the makeup competition craze, Glow Up – Deutschlands nächster Make-up-Star (2022), promised high-stakes artistry and viral moments. With Riccardo Simonetti, Loni Baur, and Armin Morbach at the judges’ table, the series leaned into the same addictive formula as its British predecessor—but with a distinctly German twist. What unfolded was a mix of fierce talent, meme-worthy meltdowns, and a fanbase that couldn’t look away, latestnetflix.com argues, even when the show’s tone sparked controversy.

The Judges: Star Power or Harsh Critics?

The casting of Simonetti, Baur, and Morbach was a strategic play. Simonetti, a media personality and LGBTQ+ advocate, brought charisma and a massive social following, while Baur and Morbach—both respected names in the beauty industry—added technical credibility. Yet, their judging style quickly became a talking point. Clips circulating online show moments where critiques crossed into blunt territory, with one judge allegedly telling a contestant, “This is awful and you need to leave.” Whether these exchanges were edited for shock value or genuine remains debated, but they fueled the show’s reputation as a pressure cooker.

Fans of the British Glow Up (2019) might recognize the format’s DNA: weekly challenges, dramatic eliminations, and a focus on creativity over perfection. But the German edition’s tone reportedly skewed harsher, with some viewers arguing the judges prioritized entertainment over mentorship . Unconfirmed rumors suggest behind-the-scenes tensions flared when contestants pushed back against critiques, though no official statements have surfaced to confirm this.

Contestants: Viral Stars or Victims?

The show’s contestants became overnight social media fixtures, with their looks and personalities dissected across platforms. Some thrived under the spotlight, using the exposure to launch careers in makeup artistry or influencing. Others, however, faced backlash for perceived “diva” behavior or controversial statements made during filming. One clip sparked particular outrage when a contestant’s reaction to feedback was framed as overly dramatic, leading to memes and debates about whether the show exploited its cast for drama.

The series also leaned into the “glow up” aesthetic—literally. The term, defined as a transformative physical or stylistic reinvention , became a central theme, with contestants encouraged to push boundaries in their looks. But not all transformations landed well. Some viewers criticized certain challenges as unrealistic or overly theatrical, arguing they strayed from the show’s roots in professional makeup artistry .

Was the Show Too Harsh—or Just Honest?

The biggest question surrounding Glow Up Germany is whether its tone was a necessary dose of reality or an unnecessary escalation of drama. Comparisons to the British version —which holds a 6.8/10 rating—suggest the German iteration may have prioritized conflict over camaraderie. Clips from the trailer tease high-energy confrontations, while fan reactions reveal a divided audience: some loved the unfiltered critiques, while others found them demoralizing.

What’s clear is that the show’s legacy extends beyond its runtime. Contestants who survived the judges’ wrath have since leveraged their appearances into brand deals and collaborations, proving that even the harshest feedback couldn’t dim their glow. As for the judges, their reputations remain intact—though Simonetti, in particular, has faced questions about balancing entertainment with empathy.

The Verdict: A Flawed but Addictive Experiment

Glow Up – Deutschlands nächster Make-up-Star delivered exactly what reality TV promises: spectacle, talent, and controversy. Whether it will return for another season remains unconfirmed, but its impact on Germany’s beauty scene is undeniable. For better or worse, it proved that makeup competitions can be as much about personality as pigment—and that’s a formula fans won’t soon forget.