In a finale that blurred the lines between reality television and high-stakes fashion editorial, Xenia Tsirkova was crowned the winner of Greece’s Next Top Model (GNTM) 2025 late Friday night. Securing victory by a mere two points over runner-up Anestis Tenteski, Tsirkova’s win signals a decisive pivot for the franchise—moving away from pure runway mechanics toward the lucrative, cinematic "face economy" of luxury jewelry and beauty campaigns. Her tearful disbelief on air (“Did some mistake happen?”) belied a performance that judges hailed as nothing short of a "movie star" turning point for Greek fashion television.
The Night the Aesthetic Shifted
The finale of GNTM has historically been a test of endurance, but this year’s conclusion was a masterclass in static precision. The production abandoned the chaotic runway challenges of previous seasons in favor of two hyper-stylized editorial shoots: “Chandeliers” and “Water Stones.”
The premise was deceptively simple yet commercially critical. In “Chandeliers,” finalists were suspended as living crystals, demanding core strength and ethereal facial control. Tsirkova’s performance here was the differentiator. While co-finalists Anestis Tenteski and Giorgos Tokmetzidis (who finished third with 103 points) delivered athletic competence, Tsirkova offered narrative.
Judge and creative director Genevieve Mazari was uncharacteristically effusive, noting that Tsirkova’s gaze "transported" the set to a cinematic realm. This wasn't just modeling; it was character acting for the still camera—a skill set increasingly vital for top-tier commercial bookings in Milan and Paris.
By the Numbers: A Statistical Nail-Biter
Fashion is often subjective, but GNTM’s scoring system introduced a brutal mathematical tension. The final tally revealed just how contested this title was:
- Xenia Tsirkova: 116 points (Winner)
- Anestis Tenteski: 114 points
- Giorgos Tokmetzidis: 103 points
The two-point margin between Tsirkova and Tenteski is one of the slimmest in the franchise's history. It reflects a split in the judging panel’s philosophy: Tenteski represented the modern, edgy, gender-fluid runway market, while Tsirkova embodied the classic, bankable "beauty contract" face. Ultimately, the combined score of the judges and the public vote favored the latter, validating a return to high-glamour commercial viability.
The "Jewelry Face" Economy
Perhaps the most telling insight from the finale came from judge Iliana Papageorgiou, who remarked on how "wonderfully the jewelry writes" on Tsirkova’s skin. In industry terms, this is the "money quote."
For fashion insiders, this signals where GNTM is positioning its talent. Runway work pays in prestige; beauty and jewelry campaigns pay in cash. By structuring the final around lingerie and high-value jewels, the show’s producers effectively created a live portfolio for potential advertisers. Tsirkova’s victory suggests that the Greek market is currently valuing commercial scalability—faces that can sell diamond parures and luxury skincare—over avant-garde runway walkers.
The New York Pivot
The most intriguing detail of the post-show coverage is not the €50,000 cash prize or the OMODA 5 EV car, but Tsirkova’s immediate reference to New York. Reports indicate she sent a victory message referencing the city, implying she is either already positioned there or has immediate plans to relocate.
This "New York State of Mind" is not accidental. For a Greek model to transcend the local market, immediate placement in a major fashion capital is mandatory. If Tsirkova is indeed leveraging her win to secure representation in Manhattan, she bypasses the typical "local celebrity" trap that ensnares many reality TV winners. It suggests a pre-meditated strategy to treat GNTM not as a destination, but as a launchpad for international agency meetings.
Timeline of the Finale
- October 2025: Competition begins with casting focusing on "personality" and "cinematic" potential.
- December 19, 2025 (21:00 EET): Live finale airs in Athens; "Chandeliers" and "Water Stones" shoots conducted.
- December 20, 2025 (00:45 EET): Voting closes. Scores revealed. Tsirkova wins by 2 points.
- December 20, 2025 (Morning): Tsirkova’s "New York" message circulates, sparking industry speculation on international representation.
Industry Forecast: What Happens Next?
Short Term: Expect a media blitz across Greek lifestyle television, but the real indicator of success will be the speed of her first major print campaign. If the "jewelry" comments hold weight, look for a partnership with a major heritage Greek jeweler (like Lalaounis or Zolotas) or a global beauty brand entry within the quarter.
Long Term: The "Anestis Factor" will linger. In reality TV history, the runner-up often finds more edgy, high-fashion success because they are not bound by the winner’s commercial contracts. Tenteski may well become the darling of independent designers and London Fashion Week, creating a fascinating career divergence to watch.
Cultural Impact: Tsirkova’s win reinforces a "return to glamour." After years of "anti-fashion" and streetwear dominance, the GNTM result suggests a consumer appetite for polished, aspirational, and slightly unattainable beauty aesthetics.
Written by Ara Ohanian for FAZ Fashion — fashion intelligence for the modern reader.
