Having Heidi Klum as your mom comes with access to the best fashion advice in the world, but for her son Henry Samuel, the guidance that stuck wasn’t about clothes or cameras. It was about how he holds himself.
Henry, the 20-year-old son of Heidi Klum and singer Seal, recently opened up during his first joint interview with his mom, which coincided with their debut cover together for ELLE Germany’s January 2026 issue. Shot by photographer Rankin, the feature marked a major milestone for the rising model, and a full-circle moment for the supermodel mom.
Looking back, Henry admitted that before modeling entered the picture, he spent most of his time gaming. He shared that he would sit for hours “hunched over his computer,” which prompted his mom to step in with some practical advice. According to Henry, Heidi told him “to pay attention to my posture.”
“I like video games and used to constantly sit hunched over the computer. But my mother also instilled a lot in me regarding self-confidence,” he explained in the exclusive interview.
Heidi, for her part, made it clear that confidence is something you can actively work on, even when self-doubt shows up. “I’m a positive person. I believe you can work on your attitude towards yourself and life,” she said. “Sure, I sometimes doubt myself and don’t like myself. But I know how to get back to positive energy.”
She also reflected on an early career moment that shaped her resilience.
“At the beginning of my career, I modelled for a bridal magazine. The photographer told me I had a terrible laugh. He yelled at me. I started to cry. But instead of giving up, I sat in front of the mirror and practiced laughing. And today, people associate my laugh with me.”
Henry has since made his runway debut at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week and walked for Kith in New York, steadily building momentum on his own. He’s also one of four children shared by the supermodel and Seal, alongside Leni, Johan, and Lou.
Photo Credit: Heidi Klum Instagram; Elle Germany/Rankin
