Heidi Klum’s career has spanned runways, television, and global campaigns, but she says not every chapter was glamorous. In a recent interview, the supermodel recalled an alleged moment when pregnancy affected how she was perceived professionally. The experience, she suggested, exposed outdated ideas about femininity and motherhood within fashion. Now, Klum is reflecting on how those attitudes have shifted over time.

Heidi Klum reflects on gaining acceptance in fashion world as a pregnant woman

Speaking in a recent interview with PAPER Magazine, Heidi Klum recalled an experience she alleged occurred during one of her pregnancies, when a longtime client chose to stop working with her. According to Klum, the decision was tied to perceptions about motherhood and desirability within the fashion industry at the time.

“I remember I had one client,” she said, explaining that once she became pregnant, the brand reportedly no longer saw her the same way. Klum claimed the client believed she was “not sexy anymore” because she was about to become a mother. “I was defined before children as being a sexy woman, and now with a child, as being a mom. That I no longer deserved to have that…,” she added.

The “America’s Got Talent” judge suggested that the experience reflected broader industry standards that were far “stricter” in earlier years. At the time, visibly pregnant women were rarely seen on fashion television or major campaigns. Rather than stepping away from work, Klum said she chose to remain visible, continuing to film “Project Runway” throughout her pregnancies.

“I’m not hiding in the house pregnant,” she recalled thinking. Klum further noted that appearing on a fashion-focused television show made it important for her to feel stylish and confident. That challenge ultimately inspired her to create her own maternity clothing line, aimed at offering fashionable options she felt were missing from the market.

Now, Klum believes attitudes have shifted significantly. Her children, Leni and Henry, both pursuing modeling careers, have witnessed a more inclusive industry, something Leni acknowledged during the same conversation. According to her, modeling today allows for a wider range of identities and appearances than in previous generations.

Originally reported by Zahrah Patel on Reality Tea.

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