There were only 18 left: The field of candidates for the ProSieben casting show "Germany's Next Top Model" is getting smaller and smaller. In the episode broadcast on Thursday evening, two candidates were eliminated: Maximilian (21), a native of Vienna, and Mare from Tegernsee, a 22-year-old from Bavaria.

They both had to listen to Heidi Klum's dreaded sentence: "Unfortunately I don't have a photo for you today." Maximilian took it all in stride: “The journey here on “Germany’s Next Top Model” changed my life,” he said. "Every day here was like a dream for me." But it is Heidi's decision. "And then that's just how it is."

Mare, on the other hand, shed bitter tears of disappointment. “There was a lack of control and that is essential in this business” - said Australian fashion photographer Russell James. "Bye," she said. And: “I hoped so.”

Previously, the candidates - who had been coupled up to form short-term couples - had to present themselves during the underwater photo shoot as lovers who wanted to get married and dressed accordingly in wedding outfits in a water tank with a wedding chapel aesthetic à la Las Vegas. Anyone who was good went straight to the next round. The whole thing was decided by show boss Klum, who, appropriate to the occasion, dressed herself in a fluffy, white feather wedding dress.

Mare, who was eliminated, found the task particularly difficult - including a panic attack. She felt like “I’m dying right now,” she said. “We looked like something out of a horror movie,” said photo partner Lucas (24) from Norderstedt near Hamburg, who, unlike her, made it to the next round. “You and your partner have drawn a very difficult fate this week,” said Klum.

After this photo shoot-heavy episode, next week will focus more on the candidates' performance on the catwalk. "What's better than one walk? That's right: three walks."