“Work on your posture” – Project Runway’s Heidi Klum shares key advice from her modeling career

Heidi Klum is returning to Project Runway for its 21st season, almost three decades after becoming a global icon in the fashion world. In a recent interview with Hello! and a separate People magazine cover story published in July 2025, Klum reflected on her career, her family, and the evolving landscape of modeling.

Sharing advice drawn from her own experience, the Project Runway host emphasized one simple rule for aspiring models:

“The best advice I have for anyone who wants to model is to work on your posture. So I’m always reminding my kids to stand up straight, make yourself taller, be proud,” she said, to Hello! in July 2025.

Klum, 52, will be seen on Project Runway again starting July 31, 2025, following an eight-year break. She originally co-hosted the show from its 2004 launch until 2017, a run that earned her an Emmy Award.

In her absence, Klum continued working on Germany’s Next Top Model and other ventures, while also supporting her children, particularly her daughter Leni and son Henry, as they pursue modeling careers of their own.

Heidi Klum reflects on her modeling journey and Project Runway comeback

In her Hello! interview, Klum shared that she’s been helping her children navigate the challenges of entering the modeling industry. Leni, her eldest daughter, has already secured campaigns with Dior, FILA, and Intimissimi.

“Leni is doing so well. She's incredible but she always knows I’m there for advice,” Klum said.

Heidi Klum shared that her son Henry, whom she shares with singer Seal, recently surprised her by wanting to pursue modeling. Although he had previously been more interested in music, Klum said he expressed a desire to try modeling seriously.

She noted that since the industry is unfamiliar to him, she’s been offering extra support as he begins this new chapter. Klum acknowledged the increasing diversity in modeling today, telling Hello in July 2025,

“There is so much more diversity now, in all aspects. When we started, or even ten or 12 years ago, all the models were one size. Everyone looked the same. Now we have models of different sizes, different ages; we see curves and voluptuous beautiful bodies. This is how it should be, because we all look different.”

Heidi Klum shared that while her older children, Leni and Henry, are exploring careers in the spotlight, her youngest daughter, Lou, has different interests. At 15, Lou enjoys arts and crafts, debating, and singing in the choir.

Klum also mentioned that her son, Johan, 18, recently got his driver’s license and is getting ready for college. With the older kids becoming more independent, Klum said it's now mostly just her and Lou at the dinner table.

Speaking to PEOPLE in July 2025, Klum discussed the early days of her own modeling career. After winning a televised model search in Germany at age 19 in 1992, she began doing catalog work before landing the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue in 1998. That cover propelled her to international fame and led to a 13-year association with Victoria’s Secret.

“At the time, extra-thin was the look to have and I was the opposite. I had boobs and hips, and I couldn’t fit in the clothes,” she said, recalling the challenges she faced early on.

Her success in modeling soon expanded to television. She began hosting Project Runway in 2004 and continued for 16 seasons until she stepped away in 2017. In her People interview, Klum called the show “my baby” and said,

“It’s wonderful to be back with Nina García and Christian Siriano, the same old gang, and with some amazing new designers.”

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Fans can stream Project Runway on Disney+ and Hulu.

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