Heidi Klum Attended the BoF 500 Gala 2025 During Paris Fashion Week With Her 21-Year-Old Daughter Leni – Photos

Two women. One red carpet. But what should've been a picture-perfect moment between mother and daughter turned into a frenzy of online whispers, stares, and savage speculation.

Heidi and her 21-year-old daughter, Leni Olumi Klum, made a jaw-dropping appearance at the star-studded BoF 500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025.

The glittering event — meant to celebrate fashion's most powerful players — instead sparked a digital firestorm after the duo walked the red carpet in looks that ignited fierce debates, confusion, and criticism across social media.

A netizen's comment aimed at Heidi and Leni Klum, dated October 8, 2025 | Source: Instagram/enews

Draped in a structured, off-white mini dress, Heidi, 52, turned heads with an outfit that featured giant, three-dimensional geometric shapes, dramatic wide sleeves, and pearl-beaded nude tights.

With white gloves, pointed heels, and smoky eye makeup framing her signature bangs, the supermodel was clearly aiming for high-concept couture — but not everyone was impressed.

Heidi Klum attends the BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Beside her, Leni went for dark elegance in a strapless black gown featuring sheer side panels and a leaf-embroidered bodice, crowned with a diamond necklace and a center-parted updo.

Yet despite the sleek silhouette and designer detailing, it was her expression — not her ensemble — that became the talk of the town.

The online commentary was relentless. On Facebook, the snark began with, "Heidi looks good & her daughter is lovely but what is Heidi wearing?" — and only escalated from there. Another person speculated, "Heidi looks like she's had her lips done." One simply observed, "Daughter looks scared!"

Leni Olumi and Heidi Klum attend the BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images

Over on Instagram, it was more of the same — and possibly even harsher. One fan declared, "daughter outshines her [sic]✨️." Someone else tried to find a silver lining, suggesting, "I think she's Heidi is dressing like that to allow her daughters spark to shine [sic]😍."

Speculation on Leni's subdued expression ran wild. "Why is her daughter so sad?" one Instagrammer wondered, while another posed, "Why [sic] Leni so angry?" Then came the blunt remark, "Heidi K's daughter omg so little 😂😂[sic]."

Not even Heidi's fashion sense was spared. "Maybe she should ask her daughter for fashion advice," one netizen jabbed, while another gave a rare compliment, "Heidi Klum's daughter has a great eye makeup [sic]."

While the BoF 500 Gala was designed to highlight global fashion icons, the appearance of Heidi and Leni — who's slowly carving out her own path in the modeling world — became more about unspoken tension, bold choices, and icy glances than couture.

Heidi Klum is seen at the BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2025, in France. | Source: Getty Images

It wasn't the first time the mother-daughter pair had stirred controversy with their red carpet choices. Back in August, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, Heidi and Leni Klum had already sparked outrage and fascination when they stepped out in near-identical, lingerie-inspired gowns — a move that left the internet buzzing with criticism, confusion, and double takes.

A fan comment dated August 27, 2025 | Instagram/extratv

The pair appeared side by side in coordinating corseted dresses by Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi, striking poses that drew gasps — for better or worse.

But once the photos hit social media, what should have been a glamorous joint appearance quickly ignited a wave of online backlash and unfiltered opinions. "Heidi looks completely different," one stunned commenter gasped.

Leni and Heidi Klum attend the "La Grazia" red carpet during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Heidi's gown, a soft blush pink, featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and sheer mesh panels delicately ruched across her frame. Her daughter Leni opted for a bolder black version — an exposed sheer with straps and a dramatic floor-length skirt.

Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni pose on the red carpet during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

She completed her daring look with a striking emerald necklace that stood out like a jewel in the Venetian night. But not everyone was impressed. The online reaction was swift, emotional, and merciless.

Leni and Heidi Klum at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

"That dress does not look good on Heidi," one person wrote bluntly, while another couldn't resist asking, "Why is her daughter so tiny?" Someone else wrote, "The poor girl looks so unhappy 🙁"

Several were unnerved by Heidi's appearance in the photos, with one user declaring, "Heidi's eyes scared me, she looks lun4tic😭[sic]."

Heidi Klum poses on the red carpet during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025 in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Another described a particular shot of the 51-year-old model as "terrifying," with another commenting, "Second photo of Heidi is not flattering – her eyes."

Others zeroed in on the overall styling, accusing the custom gowns of missing the mark. "Sweet Jesus, these are unflattering dresses," one person exclaimed.

Leni and Heidi Klum at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

"Why does Heidi insist on wearing stuff that's a fraction too tight? This being custom makes it even worse," another scolded. One scathing remark summed up the sentiment felt by many:

"They both have amazing figures and these dresses somehow make them both look…smooshed. I don't like these at all."

A wide shot of Leni and Heidi Klum during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Amid the controversy, Leni's growing presence in the fashion world is impossible to ignore. Despite the criticism, her appearance at Venice marks another milestone in a modeling career that has been both inspired and complicated by her famous mother's legacy.

Leni and Heidi Klum at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

In an emotional March 2025 interview with Glamour, Leni opened up about her early fascination with the industry. "Not really," she said when asked if she'd always planned to model. She added:

"On the contrary, even as a child I practically begged my mom to let me accompany her to her appointments. I was fascinated by everything on set: the hair styling, the makeup and how much fun my mother had during shoots. I knew right away that I wanted to do that too."

Leni and Heidi Klum arriving at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

She even admitted to sneaking in front of the camera when no one was looking and pestering stylists to do her makeup. But at just 13, her dreams hit a roadblock — courtesy of her protective mother. "My mom put the stop to it. She said I was too young. Today I'd say she was right," Leni confessed.

Leni and Heidi Klum at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

By age 16, Leni began modeling professionally, and she hasn't looked back. In the same interview, she credited her mother's advice for giving her the clarity and strength needed to survive the tough world of fashion.

"Without my mother's advice, I would have approached it a bit naively and wouldn't have had such a grasp of what modeling entails," she admitted.

Heidi Klum holds her daughter Leni while posing on the red carpet at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Far from a glamorous fantasy, she painted the job as one of "discipline and professionalism." And her German roots, she joked, make her punctuality non-negotiable.

Back in 2020, during a rare joint interview with Vogue, Heidi Klum candidly acknowledged the delicate balancing act of guiding her daughter's budding career while giving her space to grow.

Leni and Heidi Klum during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2025, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

"It's her career, she should make her own decisions," Heidi said, though she admitted, "I might meddle now and then." The protective instinct hasn't faded, and Leni, for her part, doesn't mind. "I was grateful for her advice, even if it did not always appear so," she explained.

Despite the criticism, one thing is clear: Leni is not going anywhere. She's embracing the spotlight with open eyes — and a thicker skin. Her path may be intertwined with Heidi's, but this rising star is clearly blazing her own trail.

Still, as the glamorous Venice gowns continue to spark debate, the world is watching — and judging — every move.