Heidi Klum Defends Mother-Daughter Lingerie Modeling with Leni: 12 Key Insights into the Controversy
In 2025, Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni Klum’s lingerie campaigns for Intimissimi have sparked heated online debate, blending admiration with criticism. As a supermodel with decades of experience, Heidi, 52, has embraced her 21-year-old daughter’s modeling career, with the duo posing together in lacy underwear since 2022. While some praise their confidence and bond, others call the mother-daughter shoots “weird” or “inappropriate.” This evergreen article explores the controversy, Heidi and Leni’s responses, and the broader context, optimized for SEO with keywords like “Heidi Klum Leni lingerie controversy” and “mother-daughter modeling 2025.” It’s designed to drive engagement, rank on Google, and offer affiliate opportunities for fashion and lifestyle products.
The Background of Heidi and Leni’s Collaboration
Heidi Klum, a former Victoria’s Secret Angel, and Leni, an emerging model, began their joint Intimissimi campaigns in 2022. Their ads, featuring vibrant sets like burgundy and black lace, showcase their close bond and modeling prowess. Leni, who started modeling at 16, has appeared on Vogue Germany’s cover with her mother and walked runways for brands like Dolce & Gabbana. Their latest 2024–2025 campaigns, including a multigenerational shoot with Heidi’s mother, Erna, have reignited discussions about family dynamics in modeling.
Why the Campaigns Sparked Controversy
The Intimissimi ads, particularly those showing Heidi and Leni in revealing lingerie, have divided audiences. Social media reactions range from praise for their confidence to discomfort over the mother-daughter dynamic. Comments on Leni’s Instagram, like “This is really weird and inappropriate” or “Cringe and weird,” reflect unease, with some users arguing it sexualizes their relationship (,). Others defend the shoots as professional, noting the underwear’s coverage is comparable to swimsuits ().
1. Heidi’s Defense: Pride and Body Positivity
Heidi addressed the backlash in a July 2025 People interview, emphasizing her pride in Leni: “I’m proud of my daughter. She’s fine with me like that.” She attributed her comfort to her European upbringing, where openness about the body is common. “I’ve always been very open with my body… my kids don’t know me any other way,” she said (,,).
Takeaway
Heidi views the campaigns as a celebration of confidence and family, not controversy.
2. Leni’s Response: Ignoring the Haters
Leni, now 21 and studying interior design at NYU, has consistently dismissed criticism. In a March 2025 Glamour Germany interview, she said, “I always try to remember that no matter what you do, there will always be someone who doesn’t like it. You can’t focus too much on the negative” (,). She humorously noted that not fully understanding German comments helps her stay unfazed ().
Takeaway
Leni focuses on the positive and her enjoyment of working with her mother.
3. The Role of Cultural Differences
Heidi credits her European background for her relaxed attitude toward body image, contrasting with some American viewers’ discomfort. “When I’m suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on. I’m European,” she told People (). This cultural lens may explain why some see the shoots as empowering while others find them jarring.
Takeaway
Cultural norms shape perceptions of the campaigns.
4. A Family Affair: Three Generations in 2024
In November 2024, Intimissimi featured Heidi, Leni, and Heidi’s 80-year-old mother, Erna, in a campaign showcasing cashmere tops and lingerie. Heidi captioned her Instagram post, “Three generations ❤️❤️❤️,” highlighting family unity (). This multigenerational approach softened some criticism by focusing on inclusivity.
Takeaway
Including Erna broadened the campaign’s appeal and narrative.
5. Leni’s Modeling Journey
Leni, adopted by Seal and biologically the daughter of Flavio Briatore, began modeling at 16, debuting with Heidi on Vogue Germany’s 2021 cover. She told People in 2021, “I’ve always gone to work with my mom and thought, ‘This looks so fun’” (). Her career includes campaigns for Dior Beauty and Fila, showing her growing independence ().
Takeaway
Leni’s career is inspired by Heidi but built on her own merit.
6. Supporters’ Perspective: A Professional Gig
Fans defending the duo argue the ads are professional, not sexualized. One Instagram user commented, “This is actually a very classy ad for underwear… not every woman’s body in underwear is meant to be sexual” (). Others praised the campaign for featuring a mother-daughter team over typical influencers ().
Takeaway
Supporters see the ads as tasteful and empowering.
7. Critics’ Concerns: Boundaries and Appropriateness
Critics, including Howard Stern in 2022, called the shoots “inappropriate,” with social media users echoing sentiments like “Sexualizing your daughter the moment they turn legal is weird” (,). The intimate poses and lingerie context fuel discomfort for some.
Takeaway
Critics question the mother-daughter dynamic in a sexualized industry.
8. Heidi’s Advice to Leni: Be Yourself
Heidi has guided Leni’s career with advice like, “Always be happy with yourself when you look in the mirror… Don’t try to please anyone” (). This philosophy underpins their confidence in facing criticism.
Takeaway
Heidi encourages Leni’s authenticity in modeling.
9. The Intimissimi Brand Strategy
Intimissimi’s campaigns emphasize “family, fashion, femininity,” celebrating women across generations (). By featuring Heidi and Leni since 2022, the brand leverages their fame and bond to stand out in the competitive lingerie market.
Takeaway
The brand uses their relationship to create buzz and relatability.
10. Social Media’s Role in Amplifying Debate
The controversy gained traction on platforms like Instagram and X, where mixed reactions surfaced. Heidi disabled comments on her posts, while Leni’s received thousands, from “beautiful” to “quite strange” (,). X posts from outlets like Fox News and E! News fueled discussion (,).
Takeaway
Social media amplifies both praise and criticism.
11. Broader Context: Celebrity Kids in Modeling
Leni joins other celebrity offspring like Kaia Gerber and Gigi Hadid in modeling, a trend where family connections provide a head start (,). Leni acknowledged this privilege, telling People in 2022, “I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to take what was gifted to me by my mom” ().
Takeaway
The Klums’ campaigns reflect a larger industry trend.
12. The Future of Their Collaboration
Leni will guest judge with Heidi on Germany’s Next Top Model Season 20, showing their partnership extends beyond campaigns (). Their continued work suggests they’re unfazed by backlash and committed to their shared passion.
Takeaway
Heidi and Leni plan to keep collaborating, controversy or not.
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Conclusion
Heidi and Leni Klum’s Intimissimi campaigns highlight their unapologetic confidence and close bond, but they’ve also sparked debate about appropriateness in modeling. Heidi’s defense, rooted in her European openness, and Leni’s focus on positivity show their resilience against criticism. By understanding the cultural, professional, and social media dynamics, readers can form their own views on this polarizing topic. Share this article, explore affiliate links, and join the conversation to dive deeper into the Klums’ bold legacy in 2025.