Vanessa Hegelmaier

Early life She was born in Stadthagen, Lower Saxony, Germany. Prior to her participation on the show in 2008 she was studying mathematics at the University of Bielefeld.

Germany's Next Topmodel

Without her knowledge, friends of Hegelmaier applied for her to be on the show. She was invited to be featured in the first episode among the top 100 and was selected to be part of the final 19 in Episode 2.

Despite her quiet personality that resulted in a lack of screen time, she started to dominate the competition when she won the very first casting for Bree handbags. Later on she was also featured in an editorial in the German issue of Cosmopolitan alongside two other contestants and Heidi Klum due to a challenge win.

In the beginning of episode 9 the remaining nine finalists where about to fly to Australia when it was announced that Hegelmaier would not be able to attend the flight due to a brain concussion. That incident took place at her home where she was staying during a break of taping for the show. One episode later, she withdrew from the competition for good placing 9th overall.

She walked for Moschino, Jonathan Saunders, Missoni, Alberta Ferretti, BCBG Max Azria, Christopher Kane, Topshop Unique and others.

Her print work includes editorials for international issues of Amica, Vogue, V, Elle, and Cosmopolitan.

She was booked for campaigns by labels such as Bogner Jeans, Bree, DKNY, DKNY WATCH and Escada Sport.