Leni Klum always knew modeling was in her blood, but for anyone assuming mom Heidi Klum pushed her into the industry, think again. It was Heidi who held her daughter back until she was 16, because she wanted her to have a normal childhood.
Leni shared with Rollacoaster Magazine’s Octavia Akoulitchev that her desire to become a model came at the age of 12 when she was asked to shoot for the brand Brandy Melville – but mum had other ideas on that request. “I was freaking out because I loved the brand,” she explained. “And I was shopping with my mom that day, so I was like, ‘Mom, please, please! I’ve wanted to do this for so long. You can do it, why can’t I? ?’ She said no and that I was too young.Since then I have been begging.
Max Montgomery/Rollacoaster magazine.
Heidi finally gave her permission when she turned 16 and Leni says it’s a dream come true for her – and she’s lucky to have a supermodel mum who gives her great advice along the way . “She always tells me, ‘Just be true to yourself and don’t let what other people say affect you or change what you do. And it’s always good to say no.
Now 17, Leni is thriving in the modeling industry, having recently launched her own fashion line during Berlin Fashion Week earlier this month. Heidi is so proud of what her daughter has accomplished in such a short time, writing in her post-show photo: “It makes me so happy to see you so happy. And we all know this is just the start of Leni’s career, we can’t wait to see where the industry takes her next as she follows in the footsteps of the mum model.
Before you go, click here to see the kids following in the footsteps of their supermodel mothers.