Heidi Klum Defends Controversial Lingerie Ads With Daughter Leni

Heidi Klum dismissed critics of her and daughter Leni Klum’s recent lingerie campaign, noting that she has “always been very open with my body.”

By Will Reid Jul 28, 2025 3:21 PM
| Updated Jul 29, 2025 11:15 AM
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Watch: Heidi Klum Defends Controversial Lingerie Ads With Daughter Leni

Heidi Klum is sharing her naked truth.

After facing backlash for posing alongside her daughter Leni Klum, 21, in a lingerie campaign last fall, the supermodel defended her decision to team up with her firstborn for the photoshoot.

“A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I don’t know about mom and daughter doing this together,’” she told People in an interview published July 28. “But for us? I’m proud of my daughter. She’s fine with me like that.”

After all, Heidi, 52, has never shied away from flaunting her figure.

“I’ve always been very open with my body,” she continued. “When I’m suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on. I’m European.”

The mom of four—who shares Leni with ex Flavio Briatore as well as kids Henry, 19, Johan, 18, and Lou, 15, with ex-husband Seal—was also quick to point out that her body-positive mindset has likely had a direct impact on her children’s own self-image.

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“My kids don’t know me any other way,” she explained, “and are probably more easygoing with their bodies because of it.”

Meanwhile, Leni previously addressed the photoshoot’s polarized response earlier this year, revealing how she manages to tune out her critics.

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“I always try to remember that no matter what you do, there will always be someone who doesn’t like it,” she told Glamour Germany in March in an interview translated from German. “You simply have no control over it and you can’t focus too much on the negative.”

Besides, the New York University student shared that she was focused on mastering the family business as she followed in her mom’s fashionable footsteps.

“There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that you don't even see in the end product,” she went on. “Modeling requires a lot of discipline.”

To see more celebs whose kids have pursued careers in modeling, keep reading.

Julez Smith

Beyoncé’s nephew, whose mom is Solange Knowles, made his fashion debut April 2024 at Luar’s Fall 2024 runway. Two months later, he debuted at Paris Fashion Week for the Bluemarble Spring 2025 show.  

Henry Samuel

Heidi Klum and Seal’s son made his runway debut at the Lena Erziak Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 Show during Paris Fashion Week in January 2025.

Kylie Jenner

The youngest daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner first made her runway debut at age 14 modeling for Abby Dawn—designed by her half-brother Brody Jenner’s then-girlfriend Avril Lavigne—during New York Fashion Week in 2011. After then spending many years off the catwalk, she modeled for the first time at Paris Fashion Week to close the Coperni Spring/Summer 2025 show at Disneyland Paris in October 2024.

Alana Hadid

Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid’s older sister—whose parents are Mohamed Hadid and Mary Butler—hit the runway for the first time in August 2023 at the Saks Potts Spring 2024 show during Copenhagen Fashion Week in Denmark.

Sunday Rose

The eldest daughter of Nicole Kidman and country singer Keith Urban made her fashion debut in October 2024 during the Miu Miu Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 Show.

Dream Kardashian

Rob Kardashian and ex Blac Chyna's daughter made her runway debut at age 7 at the Zeus & Lexi Kids show during New York Fashion Week in September 2024.

Paris Jackson

The daughter of the late Michael Jackson signed with ING Models in 2017.

Corinne Foxx

Jamie Foxx's daughter walks the runway at Dolce & Gabbana's show during Milan Fashion Week in 2017.

Natalia Bryant

The eldest daughter of the late Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa Bryant made her runway debut at Versace’s spring/summer 2024 show during Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.

Grace Burns

The daughter of supermodel Christy Turlington and filmmaker Ed Burns made her runway debut in the British Vogue X LuisaViaRoma show in Florence, Italy in June 2023.

 

Jasper Polish

As part of the Race to Erase MS: Drive-In Gala, Michael Polish's daughter sports Alice + Olivia in a star-studded fashion show.

Hailey Bieber

The wife of Justin Bieber and daughter of Stephen Baldwin (and niece of Alec Baldwin) has graced many a runway, including Tommy Hilfiger's.

Lily-Rose Depp

Before she starred on Max series The IdolJohnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis' daughter took the modeling world by storm, walking for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week 2017.

Dakota Lohan

Lindsay Lohan's little bro is a well-seasoned model in the fashion world, having signed with IMG models and modelling for brands like Gucci.

Sofia Richie

Lionel Richie's daughter said "Hello" to high fashion, walking in NYFW 2016.

Kaia Gerber

Cindy Crawford's mini-me became the face of Young Versace in 2012 and has since gone on to walk the runway for numerous designer labels.

Kendall Jenner

The second-to-youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan had a whirlwind few years in the modeling world: From Dolce & Gabbana to Chanel, Kendall dominates some of the most exclusive catwalks in fashion. (And let's not forget that little Estée Lauder deal, shall we?)

Gigi Hadid

Yolanda Foster's eldest daughter has followed in mom's footsteps by making her mark in the modeling world. Campaigns under Gigi's belt include an ultra-hot nude spread for Tom Ford's Velvet Orchid fragrance and her own clothing line under Tommy Hilfiger.

Bella Hadid

The little sister of Gigi Hadid has proven to be a force to reckon with in the modeling world. 

Kenya Kinski-Jones

Quincy Jones has created quite the family dynasty, with daughter Rashida Jones being a well-recognized actress and Kenya being a fashion model. 

Christian Combs

Diddy's son walked the runway at the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Men's Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on June 17, 2017 in Italy.

Roberto Rossellini

Isabella Rossellini's son takes to the catwalk at the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Jan. 14, 2017 in Milan, Italy.

Levi Dylan

Jakob Dylan's son (and Bob Dylan's grandson) struts his stuff at the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Jan. 14, 2017 in Milan, Italy.

Patrick Schwarzenegger

The son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver has modeled for several years.

Ava Phillippe

Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon's daughter made her modeling debut at age 18 the Rodarte fall/winter 2018 show.

Jack Marsden

James Marsden's son wears a colorful ensemble when he makes his Dolce & Gabbana debut on Jan. 13, 2018 in Milan.

Karsen Liotta

Shades of Blue star Ray Liotta's daughter took to the runway during the Chanel Collection des Metiers d'Art 2016/17 show at Hotel Ritz on Dec. 6, 2016 in Paris, France.

Mathilda Ereni Gianopoulos

Molly Ringwald and Panio Gianopoulos' daughter poses during the J.Crew presentation at New York Fashion Week at Spring Studios on Feb. 12, 2017 in New York City. 

 Liv Freundlich

Julianne Moore's daughter posed during the J.Crew presentation at New York Fashion Week at Spring Studios on Feb. 12, 2017 in New York City.

Myles O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal's son took to the runway at the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Men's Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on June 17, 2017 in Italy. 

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