Heidi Klum on age shaming, marriage and mentoring her model daughter, Leni

Speaking to GLAMOUR Germany's Theresa Pichler for her cover shoot and interview, Heidi Klum is just like she is in front of every camera – cheerful, good-humoured and uncomplicated. Here, she talks candidly about female empowerment, her experiences with age shaming and how she deals with criticism…

Heidi Klum has been in the public eye for three decades. One thing that all her critics and fans can agree on is her incredible success: hardly anyone from Germany has achieved as much abroad as she has. Back in 1992, Heidi won a modelling competition on German TV show Gottschalk Late Night. By 1997, she made her debut at the Victoria's Secret show in the USA – going on to become the brand's figurehead for almost 13 years. In 1998, she made it onto the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. Her cover sold over 20 million copies.

At the time, Heidi's natural smile and fun-loving personality were her signatures. She was ‘curvier’ than other models of the time, and was an early advocate of female empowerment – and these days she's even more open and honest, from her sexuality to discussing her relationships.

Following her modelling days, Heidi became known for her Emmy-winning turn hosting Project Runway, as well as judging on America's Got Talent – not forgetting her guest appearances on the likes of Sex And The City and Desperate Housewives. In her native Germany, of course, her biggest TV hit is Germany's Next Top Model, (GNTM) which is entering its 19th season this year.

Heidi is also mum to four children, and still modelling at the age of 50. She can add ‘musician’ to her CV, too, having released the song Sunglasses at Night with Tiësto in January 2024. There's no question about it: no one will be able to imitate the ‘Heidi Klum effect’ in a hurry. For her cover interview, GLAMOUR Germany spoke to her about female empowerment, why age shaming should be a thing of the past and how she deals with criticism…

GLAMOUR: You are an extremely strong woman. You've always gone your own way – no matter what other people have said about you. And you always had a smile on your face.

Heidi Klum: I know that I offend people. But I think you have to remain authentic. I'm a woman who likes to be feminine, who is sometimes loud and colourful. And there are women who aren't like that. If I annoy people with it, all they have to do is unfollow me. It's just a small push of a button. Everyone should be who they are and who they want to be. I don't pretend I'm different just because this or that person might not like me the way I am. That's also what GNTM is about for me. They are people who want to be seen – just as they are.

Not everyone always likes that.

I don't understand people who criticise others for being the way they are. I don't do that. Throughout the 30 years of my career, I've never said anything negative about others. I think that's low.

Are you ever in a bad mood?

Of course. When I read certain headlines about my children. When I see people making fun of the fact that I have children with different men. There are so many people who have had failed marriages. Of course it's not always easy, but that's how my life has been. But I don't look back. I look positively to the future because I'm generally a positive person.

People also make fun of the fact that I still dress sexy at 50. It's not nice. Yes, I'm 50, but I'm far from dead! I just love colourful, loud things. Maybe that will change at some point – but ultimately it will be my decision.

Do you have a quick answer when people ask you about the (16 year) age difference between you and your husband Tom Kaulitz?

I always say, how should I answer that? I'm 50 and no longer 20. I'm not a young girl who hasn't experienced anything yet or has no idea about life. Time won't stand still for me and Tom will never catch up with me. I'll always be 16 years older, and I'm aware of that.

I know that I will look older than him sooner. Maybe it will be a problem for me in ten years' time, maybe he won't like it then. In 20 years, I'll be 70. I usually plan for the future – but with my husband, I live in the here and now.

How do you deal with getting older?

The good thing is that my eyesight is getting worse and I can't see everything so clearly anymore (laughs). I just accept it – there's nothing you can do about it anyway. Why overthink it? It is what it is.

Why is it such a big issue for many people that you're with a younger man?

I think it's often just spitefulness. Perhaps many people also think I've had too much luck in life. I have a great job, I get to travel the world, I can buy expensive things. And now I've also got myself such a great man. Maybe people don't begrudge me that. Nowadays, people are rightly extremely careful about everything they say – except age shaming. People continue to criticise [in that respect].

You've switched off the comment function on your Instagram account.

Yes, and that's a shame because I can no longer interact with my fans. But I don't want to deal with the hatred that commenters get – or the hatred that I'm subjected to. I've had very negative articles published about me because of troll comments. Malicious comments about my body were suddenly the headline.

Nobody has to keep telling me that I look great in an outfit. I look in the mirror and feel comfortable in my outfit – I don't necessarily need feedback for that. I also believe that people develop a dependency on social media – feedback like, "You look great!" is not good for everyone.

"Throughout the 30 years of my career, I've never said anything negative about others. I think that's low."

You've been in the business for many years and were on the cover of the first issue of
GLAMOUR Germany in 2001. Looking back, would you make some decisions differently?

No, I don't regret anything. I've been very lucky. You often just have to meet the right people at the right time. Many people didn't give me a chance. The fashion world didn't want to see much of me. I came from the TV world and was photographed for catalogues. That's where I was – and I wasn't allowed to leave my box. Nowadays, anyone can do anything.

How did you feel about the start of your modelling career?

Nobody in Paris and Milan wanted me. I was too happy for them, never super-thin. I was even labelled as too fat. It was the time of ‘heroin chic’. I didn't fit in there.

It's funny: it feels like all the people from back then are no longer working in the industry – including many of the models I worked with. I'm still here. At the end of the day, I'm glad that everything turned out the way it did. Otherwise I might have quit a long time ago.

And why did you want to get out of the pigeonhole you were put in?

I wanted to show everyone that you can do anything. That's why I danced. I started singing. All things that I like to do. I just didn't care what others said. Some people might find such an attitude stupid, others might find it inspiring. It's my life.

But that's exactly what makes you strong.

It's nice when people see that. When they realise that you are fighting for your goals. With my song Sunglasses at Night, which I recorded with Tiësto, I'm sure many people will ask themselves why I'm still singing now. I ask myself, why not? It's fun for me! Why do people sing? Because they enjoy it. If they can do it, then I can do it too.

Is there a career moment that has had a big impact on you?

Sports Illustrated. It was a huge hit to be on the cover of the magazine. And Victoria's Secret. When I started, they had 15 models. If you were the new girl, everyone noticed.

What was it like when your daughter Leni told you about her modelling plans?

Many kidswear brands wanted to photograph her from a very early age. She wanted to start at the age of 13, and I let her at 16. At 16, kids in the USA can drive, so it was okay for me to let Leni model – if that's what she wanted.

We discuss everything, I check her offers. I help her choose outfits for events. She usually chooses the outfit I advised her against (laughs). I made it clear to her from the start that, as my daughter, she would be a target for the public. Many people will think she's cute, others will think she's stupid. Just because she's my daughter. People who don't like me might automatically not like her either. She must have a thick skin, but my children have that.

What is it like for you to watch your daughter pursue the same career as your own?

I want Leni to have her own experiences – free from any contacts she might have thanks to me. I want her to be able to experience and get to know everything that's hot now. She has her own style and that's good – I don't want her to be like me.

A question about GNTM: What's new this season?

Boys! And the new theme song Sunglasses at Night, which I recorded with Tiësto.

Did you choose the song?

Yes, because I actually sing to myself all day. I'm friends with Tiësto and told him about the song and that I'd like to remix it for GNTM – he thought that was great. I recorded the vocals, Tiësto built the track around it and now it's the theme tune for Germany's Next Top Model!

Is there a previous challenge on Germany's Next Top Model that you wouldn't do again today?
I definitely wouldn't shoot with animals again, even though we always did everything by the book. But fortunately, the world and perceptions have changed. And I'm happy that everything is more diverse in 2024: you didn't used to see curvy girls on the catwalk – we stand for body positivity and diversity in the new season, too.

The best tip you've ever been given?

My mother always said: "Never depend on anyone." I've always followed that.

If there was one global law that you could formulate that everyone should follow, what would it be?

Live and let live.

Photographers: The Morelli Brothers
Head of Editorial Content & Stylist: Theresa Pichler
European Visual Director: Amelia Trevette
Talent Booking: Franziska Soelch and Dominik Wimmer (both The Talent Group)
Executive Producer: Rafael Farias
Production Company: CreativeP Studio
Makeup Artist: Linda Hay at Aire NY
Hair Stylist: Danilo at The Wall Group
Styling Assistant: Isabelle Sabel
Production Team: Argine Suleimanyan and Pedro Paradis
Digital Assistant: Drew Schwartz
1st Lighting Assistant: Andrew Harless
Second Lighting Assistant: Max Gray Wilbur

This feature originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.