Supermodel and television host Heidi Klum publicly rejected Hollywood's current weight-loss obsession on Wednesday, revealing she prefers a fuller figure after years of modeling industry pressure to remain thin.
Speaking with Us Weekly ahead of the season 22 premiere of Project Runway, the 53-year-old star detailed how her perspective on her body shifted following advice from her husband, musician Tom Kaulitz.
Early Career Challenges
Klum stated that her early career was shaped by industry confusion over her athletic frame, which initially relegated her to catalog work before she landed major milestones like the 1998 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.
Reflecting on the early rejections she faced due to her appearance, Klum recalled that her natural demeanor did not align with the era's modeling trends.
"I didn't get a lot of jobs because I had a sporty body — big boobs, wider hips — and I smiled a lot," she recalls.
Klum emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself rather than conforming to external demands.
"Being positive wasn't really on trend."
Despite the initial challenges, she eventually found major success by embracing her unique look.
"I found my niche," she says.
Klum advised others to resist changing their identity for the sake of the industry.
"It's important to be authentic and not push yourself into being something you're not."
Rejecting Weight-Loss Drugs
Addressing the widespread use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in entertainment circles, Klum firmly stated her lack of interest as reported by Fox News.
"I'm not interested at all," said Klum.
She explained that her natural physical changes with age feel more appropriate than maintaining an ultra-thin standard.
"I've gained weight over the years. I'm no longer a size 24 jean.
But I think with age, we look better when we're not as skinny."
Klum shared that Kaulitz played a pivotal role in changing her perspective on her weight, challenging traditional industry expectations.
"My husband was the first one who pointed that out.
He said, 'You should eat more; you would look better if you had more meat on your bones.'
I was like, 'What?'
This is not something you're told in the industry, ever, because you're always supposed to be skinnier than you are."
Reviewing older media helped confirm her husband's observations about her proportions.
"When I look back at photos, I'm like, 'He's right!' Proportion-wise, I look better bigger."
While she chooses not to utilize weight-loss drugs herself, Klum noted she does not condemn those who find them helpful for long-term health management.
"In general, people should do what they want. It's the same with Ozempic," she said.
She acknowledged that the medication could offer a necessary baseline for individuals facing lifelong weight management difficulties.
"A lot of people have a hard time getting that jumpstart, and if you've always struggled with your weight and for 40 years you've been trapped and it's been such a big focus of your life, then maybe this is a great thing to try."
Because weight issues have not been a personal struggle, Klum remains hesitant to pass judgment on others' choices.
"That has never been part of my life, so it's hard for me to judge.
If you look in the mirror and you're not happy with something and you want to fix it, fix it."
Klum extended this philosophy to other cosmetic treatments, stating that true attraction stems from personal identity.
"What makes a person sexy is knowing their self-worth and knowing who they are. That oozes sexiness," she said.
She cautioned against becoming overly fixated on minor bodily imperfections at the expense of one's broader character.
"When people are looking at every measurement of their booties, [or] at cellulite, it's like, 'Is this really what makes me who I am?
There's so much more to me.' It's about feeling great in your skin and knowing what you can do."
According to USA Today, Klum also recalled past pushback from high-profile fashion industry figures who criticized her look and trademark upbeat personality.
"I felt comfortable before, too.
People said I was fat, but when I looked in the mirror, I was like, 'I don't know what the heck they're talking about.
I don't look fat,'" she said.
She expressed confusion regarding the historical industry fixation on extreme thinness.
"I never understood the size zero thing. You don't exist if you are a size zero."
Early catalog shoots frequently tested her self-esteem before she achieved mainstream fame.
"They said I wasn't doing a good job and people told me I was too fat," she recalled.
Klum specifically pointed out disparaging remarks made by legendary designers during her rise in the industry.
"Big names like Karl Lagerfeld would say that I'm [a] nobody, and [things like], 'Why is she always smiling so stupidly?'"
Klum said.
She concluded that self-acceptance ultimately outlasts external professional criticism.
"You can't please everyone, and not everyone is going to like what you do, but you have to look in the mirror and be happy with who you are.
I did find my niche, and look who's still here."
Project Runway Season 22 premieres Thursday, July 9, 2026, on Freeform and will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
