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."
>>> Costco Sued Over Heavy Metals in Protein Powder
Project Runway Season 22 premieres Thursday, July 9, 2026, on Freeform and will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
