Heidi Klum's Daughter Leni Sparks Buzz in Sheer Black Dress During Appearance at the King's Trust Global Gala

A striking outfit, a high-profile event, and a poised entrance put the 21-year-old model firmly in the spotlight at this fashionable New York gathering.

Leni Klum made a dazzling entrance at the 4th Annual Global Gala hosted by The King's Trust on May 1, 2025, at Casa Cipriani. Founded in 1976 by King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, the charity was originally established to support disadvantaged youth in the UK.

While the event highlighted global philanthropy, Leni's bold fashion choice quickly sparked reactions across social media.

She wore a floor-length sheer black gown adorned with lace and sequins, transparent sleeves, and a cinched waist that emphasized her silhouette. A slicked-back bun and diamond stud earrings completed the minimalist styling, allowing the gown to take center stage.

Her mother, Heidi Klum, walked the red carpet in a flowing black satin robe-style coat. The two shared a warm embrace and a kiss in front of the photographers.

Online, reactions to Leni's appearance were mixed. Some critics questioned her resemblance to the German supermodel, "They look nothing alike." A second commented, "Is she adopted she doesn't look anything lij [sic] Heidi beautiful girl," while another said, "look alike? They don't even look related."

Still, many praised her poise and elegance. "Aww her daughter is beautiful," someone else remarked, reflecting a broader wave of admiration for Leni's confident red carpet presence. Another fan described Leni as a "Briliant woman [sic]," showing admiration for her poise and presence.

One different commenter praised her appearance, calling her a "beautiful girl" and adding a heart emoji to convey affection. Another echoed the admiration, noting that she is beautiful like her mom.

One user, overwhelmed by her look, dropped a string of expressive emojis followed by the word "perfect." Meanwhile, another viewer acknowledged both women's beauty but pointed out that they don't resemble each other.

The buzz around Leni's red carpet moment came after a personal milestone: her 21st birthday on May 4. The celebration that followed was nothing short of star-studded — and deeply personal.

Leni marked the occasion at E11EVEN, a celebrity-favored nightclub in Miami, arriving at the venue around 1 a.m. with a group of about 20 close friends.

According to Page Six, she and her entourage pulled up in a luxury party bus and were escorted to a VIP table, where a glowing sign spelled out her name and a train of bottle service welcomed her to the celebration.

The night took a heartfelt turn when her father, four-time Grammy winner Seal, picked up a guitar around 2:15 a.m. and performed an acoustic rendition of his 1994 hit "Kiss from a Rose." The tribute moved the crowd, as the singer then led partygoers in two rounds of "Happy Birthday" while champagne flowed across the room.

"It was such a special moment," a source said. "You could feel the love — and the party didn't stop all night."

Around 3:30 a.m., rapper 50 Cent took the stage to perform a string of his hit singles, including "Magic Stick," "P.I.M.P.," "In Da Club," and "Candy Shop." Seal, visibly enjoying the performance, danced in the crowd and recorded the moment on his phone.

Meanwhile, Heidi honored her daughter with a personal tribute on Instagram. The model and TV host posted a carousel of throwback photos of herself with Leni as a baby, writing, "Happy Birthday Leni I love you with all my heart ❤️."

While her parents publicly celebrated her milestone, Leni has shown a steady determination to step out of their shadow and build her own identity, particularly in the fashion world.

In an October 2022 interview with People, she spoke openly about the privileges she grew up with, the expectations placed on her, and her drive to build a career independently.

At the time, Leni addressed the rising discussion around so-called "nepo babies," a label often attached to the children of celebrities. She acknowledged her position without defensiveness. "It's just a fact. My parents are famous," she said when asked about her place in the industry.

"I did get help starting off, and I know that people would dream to start off with what I had. I'm so grateful that I've been able to take what was gifted to me by my mom," she added. "But I am doing the work and putting in the time."

That mindset shaped not just her career but also her lifestyle. She shared that she had recently moved to New York City, fulfilling a longtime dream of living on her own. "I have been talking about it since I was 14. And I finally did it," she shared.

The city already held fond memories for her — she used to visit every summer while her mother worked, and she knew even then that she wanted to live and study there.

At the time, Leni was studying interior design, a passion sparked by her fascination with home spaces, particularly her mom's. "My mom's house actually sparked my interest," she said. "I always talk about redoing it."

Their tastes, however, couldn't be more different. "I'm more a minimalist — a few pieces here and there that stand out — but we have completely different tastes. She's a maximalist, with fashion too," she explained.

She described her own organizational style as exacting and uncluttered, "My closet is almost empty. There needs to be an inch in between each hanger, so I can see all of the pieces. Her closet is wild. It is huge. It's stacked. You can't even move. There's so much stuff."

Even after moving out, she remained closely connected to her mom. In fact, Heidi wasn't quite ready to fully let go. Leni recalled how she and her roommate once opened the door to find a surprise delivery of 25 large grocery bags. "We were freaking out. We started meal prepping everything. It almost didn't fit in the fridge," Leni recalled.

It wasn't just the groceries that kept them connected. After seeing her mother express in an interview how difficult it was to send her off to school, Leni made a conscious effort to reach out. "I've been texting her more," she said. "I didn't think she'd be that worried, since there's three other kids that she's looking after... but I get that it's hard for her."

That close relationship has also played a role in her early modeling journey. Leni remembered being approached at a Brandy Melville store when she was 12 and feeling excited about the opportunity.

"And she was like, 'Absolutely not,'" Leni shared. "I was really sad about it, but in the end she was right. And I feel like that's what sparked me to want to model more."

Four years later, she booked her first modeling job — an editorial for Vogue Germany — which she worked on alongside her mother. She found the experience exciting and enjoyable, describing the shoot as natural and fun, especially because dancing and spending time together came easily to them.

Beyond the professional high, Leni also opened up about personal insecurities, particularly the challenge of dealing with acne while growing up in the spotlight. At one point, she avoided leaving the house due to breakouts, but over time, she came to see acne as normal and nothing to be ashamed of.

That shift in perspective motivated her to post unfiltered photos online, hoping to help normalize skin issues and challenge unrealistic beauty standards.

The conversation also touched on inclusivity in fashion, particularly around body type and height.

At 5-foot-4, Leni doesn't meet the traditional expectations of runway models, but she said that never discouraged her. "At the beginning I didn't even think of doing runway — and now I love it. I want to do more," she remarked. "I don't think, and I never thought this, that you need to be a certain height or you need to look a certain way."

Leni believes passion should outweigh industry norms, adding that whether someone is her height or six feet tall, what truly counts is their commitment. "If you have a passion to do something, you should go for it," she advised.

As for what drives her, Leni credited her parents for instilling a grounded approach to work and self-expression. "They have both taught me to be myself, and to do what makes me feel comfortable," she said.

She explained, "You can tell if you're not comfortable and then the best of you isn't brought out. I just think you should be open and honest with what makes you comfortable, be yourself, do what you love. And if you do all those three things then you're golden."