Heidi Klum knows that some people found it weird when she and her daughter posed alongside each other for a series of lingerie ads. However, the supermodel doesn’t seem too bothered by the criticism. In fact, she thinks her openness has made her kids “more easygoing with their bodies,” she told People during a recent interview.
Heidi and her eldest child, 21-year-old Leni Klum, have modeled together for Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi on several occasions. In 2024, when Heidi, her daughter, and the fashion brand shared the campaign on social media, people were quick to call it “weird and inappropriate.”
But Heidi doesn’t think it’s all that weird.
For 52-year-old Heidi and her family, it’s actually pretty normal. “A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I don’t know about mom and daughter doing this together,'” she acknowledged when speaking to People. But she defended the campaign and the modeling work she’s done alongside her daughter.
“I’m proud of my daughter,” Heidi said. “She’s fine with me like that.”
She went to explain that she’s always been open about her body.
Though some people might find the openness strange or even inappropriate, Heidi explained that her kids have never known any different. “I’ve always been very open with my body,” she told the publication. “When I’m suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on. I’m European.”
She also believes that being open about her body has had a positive impact on her children in some ways. “My kids don’t know me any other way and are probably more easygoing with their bodies because of it,” she added.
The photos and videos from a 2024 ad campaign were quite controversial.
In October 2024, critics blasted Heidi for the “weird” Intimissimi campaign when Leni shared the photos and videos on Instagram (Heidi has her comments turned off).
One critic wrote: “Why is her mother fiddling with her panties as if the mother wanted to seduce her daughter? Why would you do a commercial like that with your mother?”
At the same time, others were quick to defend the campaign. “Some of you people sure have twisted ideas of mother/daughter relationships,” one fan wrote, addressing the critics. “This is nothing more than swimsuits and her touching her daughter is nothing more than fixing her bottom elastic.”
Another fan seemed to agree, writing: “Not a big deal. Would it be an issue if they were in bikinis or swimsuits? Probably not. Same coverage. Or more.”
A third fan added that it’s really not that strange given that they’re both models. “It’s not weird at all, they are both professional models and I think it’s sweet that she can share this with her [mom],” they argued.
