Simone Holtznagel

Simone Holtznagel is an Australian fashion model who first gained widespread public attention as a finalist on the seventh season of Australia's Next Top Model. Following her initial success in television modeling competitions, she established an international career working with major fashion labels, while also appearing as a personality on several prominent reality television series.

Born on 12 July 1993, Holtznagel grew up in Corrimal, a suburb of Wollongong, where she resided with her mother and sisters. During her childhood, she frequently visited her grandparents' farm located in Nowra. Modeling runs in her family, as her sister Madeline is also active in the fashion industry and is the partner of Justin Hemmes.

Holtznagel's career began when she auditioned for Australia's Next Top Model in 2011. She progressed through the competition to the live finale held at the Sydney Opera House on 25 October 2011, ultimately placing as the final contestant eliminated before winner Montana Cox. Following the broadcast, Guess co-founder Paul Marciano discovered her on Instagram, leading to her casting in an advertising campaign for the brand alongside models Natalie Pack and Danielle Knudson. As part of her work with the brand, she also participated in the Gumball 3000 rally.

After relocating to the United States, Holtznagel expanded her portfolio across various commercial and editorial projects. In 2014, she was selected as the face of the Pink Ladies Campaign for the Australian lingerie company Elegantly Scant. She subsequently modeled for the brand Bras N Things and was featured alongside Gil Soares in a 2015 Men's Fashion Post photo shoot titled American Denim. Though she had previously declined an offer to be a Playboy Playmate, she appeared on the cover of Playboy's October 2021 college issue. She later starred in a 2021 campaign for the lingerie brand Honey Birdette.

Beyond print and fashion modeling, Holtznagel has built a career in reality television. In January 2018, she joined the fourth season of the Australian adaptation of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! as a contestant. She later appeared on Seven Network's First Dates Australia in 2020. In February 2022, she joined seventeen other participants on SAS Australia: Who Dares Wins, humorously noting that she joined to travel after COVID-19 lockdowns, only to discover the show was filmed in her hometown of Wollongong.

During her early career, Holtznagel developed a close friendship and professional mentorship with media personality Charlotte Dawson, attending many fashion functions together. Following Dawson's passing in 2014, Holtznagel identified her body while Dawson's family was in New Zealand. In 2022, Holtznagel began a relationship with personal trainer Jono Castano. The couple announced they were expecting their first child in October 2023, and Holtznagel gave birth to their daughter on 31 March 2024.