Overview
- RTL has confirmed Ofarim for the season beginning January 23, and viewers posted boycott calls on social media following the announcement.
- RTL entertainment chief Markus Küttner said Ofarim is more than recent headlines and noted the network had approached him about the show years ago.
- Some co-contestants criticized the choice or pledged to judge him in camp, with Nicole Belstler-Boettcher calling it a 'no-go' and Umut Tekin deeming it unforgivable.
- Hardy Krüger jr. said he wants an honest explanation from Ofarim on the issue, while Stephen Dürr said contestants were not consulted about his inclusion.
- RTL plans 17 live primetime broadcasts from January 23 and a January 18 warm-up show, as observers flag likely flashpoints between Samira Yavuz and Eva Benetatou and ex-camper Micaela Schäfer praises the lineup.