Seal and Heidi Klum's Son Henry's Stunning Transformation into Rising Model — Photos

He was the kid who wore dinosaur slippers to dinner and tried on his sister's princess gowns, and now the world is starting to pay attention.

Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel, the son of supermodel Heidi Klum and British pop star Seal, has been turning heads in the modeling world since early 2025.

But long before the runway lights, there were signs that fashion was never just a phase for him, and the photos ahead tell that story better than any caption ever could.

A Fashion Icon from the Beginning

Henry was born in late 2005 in a Los Angeles-area hospital, and People reported at the time that everyone was "happy and healthy." He carries the surname of his father, born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, and his middle name, Günther, comes from Heidi's own father.

He came home to a Bel Air estate, joining his then 16-month-old sister, Leni. Heidi went to have two more kids with the singer: Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel and Lou Sulola Samuel. Growing up in that household, standing out was basically the baseline.

Even as a toddler, Henry had opinions about what he wore. People reported that while Johan turned out to be the "brainiac" of the bunch, Henry was always the one unafraid to lean into his own style, no matter how unconventional.

Heidi recalled him showing up to a family dinner in dinosaur slippers while everyone else was dressed nicely, explaining, "He lives in his own world."

By 2008, that world had expanded well beyond slippers. Heidi told InStyle that she had outfitted her kids with a "costume closet," and Henry was the one most willing to try everything, including his sister's princess gowns.

To this, the model said, "There's nothing wrong with that," adding that the flashy dresses were far "more fun than Buzz Lightyear."

His experimentation even sparked a business idea in his mother back then. "I should make costumes for boys. They'd have to be blinged out. Why can't Luke Skywalker be covered in Swarovski crystals?" she said.

He Asked His Mom for a Shot

Fast forward to 2025, and the natural next chapter arrived on Henry's own terms. In a conversation with Hello Magazine, Heidi revealed that she had always assumed Henry was leaning toward music.

Then he surprised her. "He came to me and said he really wanted to give modeling a shot. I've been there for him a little more because it's new to him," she shared.

The reality show host also noted that the industry had evolved significantly since her own early days.

"There is so much more diversity now, in all aspects. When we started, or even ten or 12 years ago, all the models were one size. Everyone looked the same."

Still, for Henry, stepping into this newer landscape came with both opportunity and pressure.

His Paris Runway Debut

On April 1, 2025, Henry shared an Instagram video that offered a behind-the-scenes look at his very first runway walk, which had taken place at Paris Fashion Week earlier that year, during the Lena Erziak Haute Couture Spring-Summer Show on January 28.

The footage showed him mentally preparing backstage, nerves and all. But the anxiety did not stop him.

"I love fashion, I love clothes, I love to express myself and show who I am," Henry said in the clip. "This is my first time walking, first time modeling for a designer. I'm nervous, but I'm more excited than nervous."

Additionally, he credited his mother's coaching for getting him through the walk, explaining that she advised him to always look straight ahead and keep his posture in mind. By all accounts, he delivered. And the muse behind his success, it turns out, had been in his life all along.

"When I was younger, I used to model in my sisters' and siblings' clothes," he confessed. "Yeah, I was just kinda inspired by that."

What His Dad Had to Say

Seal spoke exclusively to E! News' Francesca Amiker on February 5 about Henry's modeling debut, and his reaction was pure pride.

"Watching him, or seeing him in those photos, having such a great time and looking like he was really enjoying the experience," the singer said, "that personally is what gave me great happiness."

Seal also made it clear that he would support whatever direction any of his children chose, as long as they were genuinely enjoying it. And Henry was clearly just starting this path.

Just weeks after this runway debut, the rising star made the cover of Hunger Magazine, which Heidi celebrated on Instagram. "So proud of you, my beautiful Henry!" she gushed. "[...] Watching you grow into the amazing young man you are today fills my heart with so much joy. The world is just beginning to see what I've always known — you are destined for greatness!"

Not Everyone Was a Fan at First

Unfortunately, not all the early reactions were warm. On Facebook, viewers had plenty to say about Henry's modeling debut, and some of it was pointed.

One commenter wrote, "I'm sorry, but if he wasn't the son of those two famous people, he wouldn't be walking the runway. He looks like a young version of Lionel Richie for God sake! Lol [sic]."

Other netizens were blunter, with one saying, "Handsome but not model material." Another echoed, "No hate but not model material," and a third landed on, "Handsome... Not for the runway tho [sic]."

Henry addressed that kind of commentary in a 2026 interview with Paper Magazine, alongside his sister Leni, about navigating social media as a young person in the public eye.

"I would say it's a blessing and a curse, social media. There's so many people in the world and through social media, everyone can contact you, each other, through that. There's a lot of hate out there that no one needs to see."

Leni shared her own perspective, explaining that she finds the permanence of social media frightening because content remains online forever. Therefore, she personally avoids posting frequently.

Henry at Cannes, and a New Role as Mom's Date

By May 2026, Henry was firmly part of Heidi's red carpet rotation, and she was not shy about why. In an interview with People, the supermodel explained that her husband, German guitarist Tom Kaulitz, whom she married in 2019, traveled frequently, so Henry stepped in.

"I mean, what better date can you have than your own son?" she said, adding that experiencing events through his eyes makes them feel new again.

"But to be honest, I'm more appreciative that he comes with me, that he's proud to be on my side. And we have a fun night together. We love people watching, we gossip a little bit. It's a real fun night with my son."

One of their most high-profile outings so far this year came on May 21, at the amfAR Gala presented by Chopard at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes during the Cannes Film Festival.

The two coordinated their looks, with Heidi Klum wearing a plunging black-and-white lace corset dress with a dramatic ballgown-style black skirt.

Meanwhile, Henry went for a black suit jacket covered in intricate metallic leaf detailing, worn shirtless beneath it, paired with matching black trousers. This time, Tom joined them, following the black theme with a sparkling suit jacket, a button-down shirt, and trousers.

Netizens' Comments a Year Later

The public's reaction to Henry now looked very different from that of those early modeling skeptics. On Instagram, one person noted, "Henry does have his mother's smile," while another admired, "Henry has those beautiful cheekbones like his father."

A third claimed, "Oooh Henry...you have a future in modeling...if you want it [sic]."

Even the Lionel Richie comparisons resurfaced, but this time as a compliment: "Henry looks like the younger Lionel Ritchie. Stunning," one netizen gushed, and one commenter simply wrote, "Henry steals the show! What a beautiful man 😍[sic]."

Over on Facebook, one person shared, "Gorgeous son," while another could not help but note, "How does her son look better than her man?🤣 Well, he also looks better than his daddy, so...."

From dinosaur slippers at the dinner table to a metallic suit at Cannes, Henry's transformation has been gradual, genuine, and entirely his own.