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Leni Klum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leni Klum
Klum in 2023
Born
Leni Olumi Klum

(2004-05-04) May 4, 2004 (age 20)
New York City, U.S.
Nationality
  • German
  • American
OccupationModel
Years active2020–present
Parents
Modeling information
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[1]
AgencyIMG

Leni Olumi Klum (born May 4, 2004) is a German-American fashion model. She is the oldest child of Heidi Klum and an adopted daughter of Seal.

Early life

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Leni Olumi Klum was born on May 4, 2004, in New York City, the first of four children born to German-American model Heidi Klum. Klum's father was Italian businessman and managing director of Renault's Formula One team Flavio Briatore; Klum's mother and father separated while her mother was pregnant. Heidi soon began a relationship with British singer Seal, who was present for Leni's birth and adopted her when she was five years old.[2][3] Briatore was not involved in Leni's upbringing, though she reestablished a relationship with him by 2023.[3][4]

Klum grew up out of the public eye but became interested in modeling when she was 11 or 12, though her mother did not allow her to model until she turned 16.[5][6] Raised in Los Angeles, she graduated from Pacifica Christian High School in 2022, and enrolled in college in New York City, studying interior design.[1][2]

Career

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At the end of 2020, Klum made her modeling debut on the January/February 2021 cover of Vogue Germany, appearing alongside her mother wearing colorful synchronized pantsuits.[7] She walked her first runway as the opening model in a digital edition of Berlin Fashion Week at the start of 2021.[8] Klum appeared on her first solo magazine cover in April 2021, wearing a floral dress for Glamour Germany.[9] She then signed with CAA Fashion, later changing her representation to IMG.[10][11]

Klum appeared on various other magazine covers before turning 20, including Harper's Bazaar Kazakhstan, Hunger, Flaunt, and Rollacoaster, and was in advertising campaigns for brands such as Dior and Fila.[2] Klum and her mother have modeled together in a series of lingerie advertisements for Intimissimi since 2022, which received some criticism.[12][13] Klum appeared as a guest judge in the semifinals of her mother's show Germany's Next Topmodel in 2022 and returned in the finals in 2023.[14][15] She amassed more than 800,000 followers on Instagram by 2023.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b Talarico, Brittany (October 27, 2022). "Leni Klum Gets the 'Nepo Baby' Thing — 'It's Just a Fact' — but Is Here to Hustle". People. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Krauser, Emily (September 6, 2023). "All About Heidi Klum's Daughter Leni Klum". People. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b William Keck (December 3, 2007). "Celeb Watch: Heidi Klum relishes her model family life". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  4. ^ "Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, 19, pictured with biological father Flavio Briatore in rare family photo". Hello!. September 9, 2023.
  5. ^ Etienne, Vanessa (September 24, 2021). "Leni Klum Says She 'Begged' Mom Heidi Klum to Let Her Model When She Was 11 Years Old". People. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Hunstig, Maria (December 10, 2020). "Heidi Klum's Daughter Leni Is the Mirror Image of Her Mom". Vogue. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Frey, Kaitlyn (December 15, 2020). "Heidi Klum's Daughter Leni, 16, Makes Modeling Debut Alongside Mom on Vogue Germany Cover". People. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  8. ^ Frey, Kaitlyn (January 26, 2021). "Leni Klum Continues to Follow in Mom Heidi's Supermodel Footsteps by Opening Berlin Fashion Week". People. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  9. ^ Henderson, Cydney (April 8, 2021). "Leni Klum lands first solo cover 20 years after mom Heidi Klum: 'Couldn't be more proud'". USA Today. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  10. ^ Chikhoune, Ryma (July 6, 2021). "Exclusive: Leni Klum, Daughter of Heidi Klum, Signs With CAA Fashion". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Leni Klum". Models.com. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Solé, Elise (October 14, 2024). "Heidi Klum and daughter Leni's new lingerie ad is stirring controversy". Today. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Robinson, KiMi (October 15, 2024). "Heidi Klum and daughter Leni model lingerie in new campaign photoshoot". USA Today. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "GNTM 2022: Leni schwärmt für Noëlla – doch ein anderes Model ist ihre Favoritin" (in German). ProSieben. May 19, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  15. ^ "Vivien ist GNTM-Siegerin 2023 – Leni Klum als Co-Moderatorin im Finale dabei" (in German). RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. June 16, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  16. ^ Ratzinger, Maria (April 11, 2023). "A German superstar in the making: Why Leni Klum is suddenly omnipresent". L'Officiel Ibiza. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
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