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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Chelsea Ritschel

Heidi Klum says her 16-year-old daughter is interested in modelling: ‘She does want to do what I do’

Photograph: AFP via Getty Images

Heidi Klum has revealed her 16-year-old daughter Leni has begun showing an interest in the modelling world.

On Thursday, the supermodel discussed her daughter’s ambitions during an interview with People, where she said the teenager has started spending time on the set of Germany’s Next Top Model, for which Klum is host.

“She does want to step in Momma’s footsteps. She kind of comes [on set] and looks and learns not just what I do but also what all the different people are doing on a TV set. I think it's very interesting to her,” Klum said. “When you're that age you're still trying to figure out who you are, what you want to be and kind of see for the first time what are all these different jobs to make a TV show happen.

“She does want to do what I do.”

According to Klum, her daughter, who she shares with ex-husband Seal, may even take over her role as host of the show.

“Who knows, maybe in five years when I'm not hosting the show anymore maybe it's going to be like Germany's Next Top Model by Leni Klum instead of Heidi Klum. Who knows,”she said. “She's kind of playing with this idea.”

The former Victoria’s Secret Angel also said her eldest daughter is now old enough to accept modelling jobs, revealing that she previously declined offers for Leni to model because she wanted to respect her privacy and because she was too young.

“She's old enough now,” Klum said. “I always thought she was too young. We always also decided to keep the children out of the public eye. But she's driving a car now, she's 16, so I figured if you can do that, you can also model now if this is what you wish to do.”

But, while the mother-of-four said she is supportive if Leni wants to pursue a career in modelling, she did acknowledge that the industry can be tough.

“The industry is great and I love it and I've been in it for over 20 years but it's also, it's a lot of traveling, it's different," she told the outlet. "You have to be a strong person, especially as a woman, you have to be very strong."

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