Heidi Klum, 52, recently addressed the wave of criticism surrounding her lingerie modeling campaign with her 21-year-old daughter, Leni Klum, for the Italian brand Intimissimi. The campaign, which featured the mother-daughter duo posing in coordinated lingerie sets, sparked intense debate online, with many questioning the appropriateness of such imagery between family members. Some labeled the ads “disturbing” and “inappropriate,” while others praised the pair for their confidence and artistic expression.
In response, Heidi stood firm, expressing pride in her daughter and emphasizing their shared comfort with body positivity. “A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I don’t know about mom and daughter doing this together,’” she told People magazine. “But for us? I’m proud of my daughter. She’s fine with me like that.” Heidi explained that her European upbringing shaped her openness about nudity and body image, noting that her children have grown up in an environment where such attitudes are normalized.
Leni, who began modeling at 16 and has since appeared on covers like Vogue Germany, echoed her mother’s sentiments. She acknowledged the backlash but remained unfazed, stating in interviews that online hate is inevitable and not worth dwelling on. “You simply have no control over it and you can’t focus too much on the negative,” she said, adding that many of the harsh comments were in German—her native language—which ironically made them easier to ignore.
The campaign also included appearances by Heidi’s own mother, Erna Klum, in earlier ads, further emphasizing the family’s comfort with modeling and self-expression. Despite the controversy, Heidi continues to collaborate with Leni, reinforcing a message of empowerment, generational confidence, and artistic freedom. Their stance challenges conventional norms and invites broader conversations about identity, boundaries, and the evolving landscape of fashion and family representation.
