Leni Klum, a Model, and Daughter of Heidi Klum Responds to the Term “Nepo Baby”: “I Am Doing the Work.”

Leni Klum, the daughter of model Heidi Klum, has spoken out against the “nepotism baby” stigma that she has encountered.

The 18-year-old model acknowledged in a People interview that her famous parents, R&B singer Seal, and Klum, “gave her a lift into” the modeling industry. “It is simply a fact. My famous parents, “On Thursday, Leni told the publication.

Leni responded that her own work ethic has contributed to the success of her career thus far when asked about the infamous “nepotism baby” label applied to the offspring of famous people. The college freshman said, “I did get help getting started, and I know that people would dream to start off with what I had.

“I’m so happy that I was able to use what my mother gave to me. However, I am putting in the effort and time. I currently work alone, travel alone, and attend school alone. I just love the same things that my mother does.

Leni gave her parents credit for instilling in her a strong work ethic at a young age, even though she acknowledged that she believes it is her own ambition that has contributed to her early success.

They have both encouraged me to be authentic and follow my instincts, she said. “You can tell when you’re not at ease because your best self won’t emerge. Just be yourself, do what you love, and be open and honest about what makes you comfortable. And if you follow through on all three of them, you’re set.

Leni was born in May 2004, shortly after her supermodel mother and Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, Leni’s biological father, divorced. Leni was adopted by Klum’s ex-husband Seal in December 2009. In the future, Klum and Seal welcomed three more children: daughters Lou, 13, and sons Henry, 17, and Johan, 15. The former Project Runway contestant wed musician Tom Kaulitz in July 2019.

When she was only 16 years old, Klum’s eldest daughter landed her first modeling position with Vogue Germany. Leni, however, claims that she first became interested in modeling while shopping at a Brandy Melville store years earlier.

The interior design student recalled, “I was stopped in a Brandy Melville when I was 12 and they asked me to model for their clothes. “I was in a panic because, at the time, Brandy Melville was my favorite. I only ever went shopping there.

But because she was still so young, her mother at the time forbade her from working as a model. Regarding her mother’s decision to decline the position, Leni said, “I was really sad about it, but in the end she was right.” And I think that’s what motivated me to want to model more, she said.

Klum received backlash earlier this month for having her 18-year-old daughter model for Intimissimi in a lingerie shoot. An Instagram post from the lingerie company with the caption, “A story of self-confidence, joy of life, and love between a mother and a daughter,” shared images from the photo shoot. The Art of Italian Lingerie is celebrated by @heidiklum and @leniklum together.

When the shoot first happened, some social media users called it “bit ick” and “really weird,” while others defended it and called it “beautiful and very classy.”