Leni Klum Defends Mother-Daughter Lingerie Campaign: How Celebrity Children Are Thriving in the Modeling Industry
When Leni Klum and her supermodel mother Heidi Klum posed together for Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi last October, the internet had plenty to say. Now, the 20-year-old rising star is addressing the criticism with remarkable poise.
“I always try to remember that no matter what you do, there will always be someone who doesn’t like it,” Leni revealed in a recent Glamour Germany interview published on March 11. “You simply have no control over it and you can’t focus too much on the negative.”
The daughter of Heidi Klum and singer Seal admitted that while negativity can easily capture her attention, she chooses to maintain a positive outlook. She also noted with a touch of humor that her limited German language skills have been unexpectedly helpful: “Most of the comments are in German, and I don’t really understand many of them. That helps too, of course.”
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Currently balancing her modeling career with studies in interior design at New York University, Leni emphasized that modeling requires significant discipline and effort beyond what most people see.
“It’s not just jumping in front of the camera and looking pretty,” she explained. “There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that you don’t even see in the end product. Modeling requires a lot of discipline.”
Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps
Leni’s fascination with the modeling world began in childhood, accompanying her famous mother to various photoshoots and sets. “Even as a child I practically begged my mum to let me accompany her to her appointments,” she shared. “I was fascinated by everything on set: the hair styling, the make-up and how much fun my mother had during the shoot. I knew straight away that I wanted to do that, too.”
Despite her early interest, Heidi—who also shares children Henry, 19, Johan, 18, and Lou, 15, with ex-husband Seal—made her daughter wait until she was older to pursue modeling professionally. “When I was 13, I finally wanted to start modeling myself, but my mom stopped me. I was too young. Today, I would say: she was right!”
Finding True Success
For the young model, achievement isn’t measured by fame or fortune. “For me, success is satisfaction,” she reflected. “As long as you are happy and what you do fulfills you, then you know you have really achieved it.”
Celebrity Children Making Their Mark in Modeling
Leni isn’t alone in following her famous parent into the modeling industry. Several other celebrity offspring have recently made their runway debuts:
- Julez Smith – Beyoncé’s nephew and son of Solange Knowles made his fashion debut in April 2024 at Luar’s Fall 2024 runway, later appearing at Paris Fashion Week for the Bluemarble Spring 2025 show.
- Henry Samuel – Leni’s brother and son of Heidi Klum and Seal made his runway debut at the Lena Erziak Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 Show during Paris Fashion Week in January 2025.
- Kylie Jenner – The reality star and entrepreneur first modeled at age 14 for Abby Dawn during New York Fashion Week in 2011, recently returning to the runway to close the Coperni Spring/Summer 2025 show at Disneyland Paris in October 2024.
- Alana Hadid – The older sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid made her runway debut in August 2023 at the Saks Potts Spring 2024 show during Copenhagen Fashion Week.
- Sunday Rose – Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s daughter made her fashion debut at the Miu Miu Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 Show in October 2024.
- Dream Kardashian – Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna’s daughter walked her first runway at just 7 years old at the Zeus & Lexi Kids show during New York Fashion Week in September 2024.
- Paris Jackson – Michael Jackson’s daughter signed with IMG Models in 2017, launching her professional modeling career.
- Corinne Foxx – Jamie Foxx’s daughter walked for Dolce & Gabbana during Milan Fashion Week in 2017.
- Natalia Bryant – The eldest daughter of the late Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant made her runway debut at Versace’s spring/summer 2024 show during Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.
As more celebrity children enter the modeling industry, Leni Klum’s balanced approach to criticism and career development demonstrates a maturity that extends beyond her years, suggesting she has what it takes to build a sustainable career in this competitive field.