Growing up with a supermodel for a mom sounds like a dream, or maybe a nightmare, depending on how much you like being compared to a legend every time you walk out the door. For Leni Klum, that legend is Heidi Klum. Honestly, it’s a lot to live up to. Most kids rebel by dyeing their hair neon or quitting the family business entirely.
Leni? She leaned in.
But it wasn't an overnight thing. People often think Leni just woke up and walked onto a Vogue cover because of her last name. While the "nepo baby" tag is basically glued to her forehead at this point—and she’s the first to admit she had a massive head start—there’s more to the story. Heidi actually kept her away from the cameras for years. It’s kinda refreshing, actually. In a world where toddlers are TikTok famous before they can spell, Leni was kept on the sidelines until she was 16.
The Long Wait: Why Heidi Said No
Most 12-year-olds want to be TikTokers or gamers. Leni Klum wanted to model for Brandy Melville. It was her dream back then. She begged. She pleaded.
Heidi said no.
"I was really sad about it," Leni told People a while back, "but in the end, she was right." It’s sort of a masterclass in parenting in the spotlight. Heidi knew the industry was a meat grinder. She’s been in it since 1992—way before Instagram existed. She knew that once you’re in, there’s no going back to being a normal kid.
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When Leni finally made her debut on the January/February 2021 cover of Vogue Germany, it wasn't just a photo. It was a hand-off. They wore matching oversized pantsuits. Heidi was kissing her on the cheek. It felt like a torch-passing ceremony, and honestly, the fashion world ate it up.
The Controversy That Won't Quit
You've probably seen the Intimissimi ads. If you haven't, you've definitely heard about them.
Heidi and Leni in lingerie together. People lost their minds. "It's weird," they said. "It's inappropriate," they tweeted.
Heidi’s response? Basically a shrug. She’s European. She grew up with a different relationship with nudity than many Americans have. In 2025, she doubled down, telling critics that she’s always been open with her body. She pointed out that if she’s sunbathing in her backyard, she might not have a top on anyway. To her, modeling with her daughter in silk and microfiber is just business—and bonding.
Leni’s take is even more chill. She told Glamour Germany that she doesn't even understand half the hate because most of it is in German. "You simply have no control over it," she said. That’s a 21-year-old with a thicker skin than most veterans in the industry.
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Two Dads and a Supermodel Mom
Leni’s family tree is... complex. But it works.
- Flavio Briatore: The biological father. He and Heidi split while she was still pregnant.
- Seal: The man who was there for the birth and legally adopted her in 2009. Leni calls herself "Papa’s biggest fan."
- Tom Kaulitz: The step-dad who asked the kids for permission before proposing to Heidi.
It’s a modern family that actually seems to like each other. Recently, Leni spent her 21st birthday with both Seal and Flavio. Think about that. Most people can't get their divorced parents in the same room for a graduation, and Leni has two "dads" and a supermodel mom celebrating together.
What Leni Klum is Doing Now (It's Not Just Modeling)
By early 2026, Leni has established herself as more than just "Heidi’s kid." She’s currently juggling a massive modeling career with her studies in interior design in New York City.
She moved to the Big Apple for college in 2022. Heidi admitted she was a wreck at first, calling Leni every two hours. It’s a very "mom" move. But Leni is thriving. She’s walked for Dolce & Gabbana, opened Berlin Fashion Week, and become a face for Dior Beauty.
But here’s the kicker: she’s also showing up on Germany’s Next Topmodel (GNTM). For the 20th anniversary in 2025, Leni was right there next to Heidi. There’s a lot of chatter that Leni might eventually take over the show. Can you imagine? A literal dynasty.
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The Reality of Being a "Nepo Baby"
Leni doesn't hide from it. She knows she's lucky.
"My parents are famous," she told People. "I did get help starting off."
But the industry is fickle. You can get the first job because of your name, but you won't get the tenth if you can't walk, can't pose, or show up late. Leni is putting in the work. She’s traveling alone, going to castings, and balancing 9:00 AM classes with 6:00 PM shoots.
How to Apply the Klum Work Ethic
If you’re looking at this duo and wondering how to channel some of that success (even without the supermodel genes), here are the real takeaways:
- Wait for the right moment: Leni wanted to start at 12. She started at 16. That extra four years gave her the maturity to handle the "lingerie-gate" backlash without crumbling.
- Own your advantages: Don't pretend you didn't have help if you did. People respect honesty more than a fake "self-made" narrative.
- Diversify your skills: Modeling is great, but Leni is studying interior design. She has a Plan B that she’s actually passionate about.
- Set boundaries: Learning to say "no" was the first piece of advice Heidi gave her. It's probably the most important one.
Leni and Heidi Klum are currently proving that the mother-daughter brand is one of the most powerful forces in entertainment. Whether they're walking the runway together at Paris Fashion Week or defending their latest campaign, they're doing it on their own terms. And honestly? They’re just getting started.
If you want to keep up with Leni's latest work, her Instagram is the best place to see the balance between her high-fashion life in NYC and her occasional trips back to LA to see her "extra dad" Tom and the rest of the Klum-Kaulitz clan.
Next Steps for You:
- Audit your "Yes" list: Take a page from Heidi’s book and identify one project or commitment this week that you’re only doing to please others—and consider saying no.
- Document your growth: Leni often shares "then and now" style posts. Start a folder on your phone for "work wins" to track your own professional evolution over the next six months.