Heidi Klum's Body Language During Run-In With Ex Vito Schnabel at NYC Lunch With Daughter Leni Has Fans Talking — Photos

Heidi Klum appeared to have an unexpected visitor during a lunch outing with her daughter Leni in New York City, but the supermodel's reaction to seeing him caught people's attention. What initially looked like a friendly reunion between former lovers has since prompted fans to take a closer look at their interaction.

The 53-year-old supermodel was spending time with her 22-year-old daughter, Leni, at Bar Pitti in New York City on Monday when she ran into someone from her romantic past.

Klum Was Enjoying Lunch With Her Look-Alike Daughter When an Old Flame Appeared

The man was art dealer Vito Schnabel, whom Klum dated for approximately three years before they parted ways in 2017. According to the report accompanying the photos, the former couple appeared friendly as they greeted each other outside the restaurant.

However, the encounter did not go unnoticed, and the pictures have since become a talking point on social media.

Fans Think Klum's Body Language Told a Different Story

While the initial description of the encounter suggested a friendly exchange, some fans who examined the photos were not entirely convinced.

Several people took to Reddit to share their interpretations of Klum's expressions and posture during the unexpected reunion, with some suggesting she did not appear particularly pleased to see her former boyfriend.

Some fans were convinced Klum was less than thrilled to see her former boyfriend. One Reddit user remarked, "Right? She can't stand him," while another insisted, "Her body language speaks for itself." A third commenter summed up their reaction with, "Oof this body language."

Others were similarly unconvinced by how the interaction appeared, with one Facebook person writing, "That didn't look so friendly." The Instagram reactions were even more animated, with one person commenting, "Yup she looks excited 😂😂." Another wrote, "The face says it all 😂"

One commenter took the interpretation a step further, joking, "She looks like she's 20 seconds away from pulling out her Bear Spray."

Another person suggested that Klum appeared eager for the encounter to end, writing, "She doesn't want to see him😂 it's clearly that she wants that he keeps walking away😂😂 I don't understand why in general - male exs like to greet? Especially when break-up had a bad end [sic]."

Someone else simply observed, "She looks uncomfortable😬" One commenter also brought up the circumstances surrounding their breakup, writing, "He Cheated on her from the beginning! 😢 such a wonderful Women! Didnt deserve her! [sic]."

Of course, the photos only offer a glimpse of the brief interaction, and Klum has not publicly commented on the encounter. Still, the different interpretations have brought renewed attention to the former couple's history.

Their Romance Lasted Three Years, but Not Without Its Share of Headlines

Klum and Schnabel began dating in 2014, following her separation from her former husband, Seal. Rumors of their budding romance first surfaced after the two were spotted together at L.A.'s LAX Airport. Their relationship became harder to keep under wraps when they were photographed kissing at an Academy Awards after-party at Hollywood's 1OAK nightclub.

The couple continued to share affectionate moments in public throughout their romance. In 2014, they were photographed holding hands during a vacation in Paris, and the following year, Klum celebrated her then-boyfriend's birthday with a sweet Instagram tribute, captioning their photo, "I love you my V...HAPPY BIRTHDAY."

Not every public display of affection, however, appeared to go quite as smoothly. The two also made headlines over a particularly awkward-looking kiss, which remains one of the more memorable photographs from their time together.

Before Schnabel, the America's Got Talent judge had dated her bodyguard, Martin Kristen, and was previously married to singer Seal. Their divorce was finalized in 2014, and the former couple shares three children: Henry, Johan, and Lou. Klum also has her eldest daughter, Leni, from her previous relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore.

Schnabel, meanwhile, was already making a name for himself in the art world. The son of painter and film director Julian Schnabel, he established himself as an art dealer and curator while still a teenager.

His career eventually took him beyond the United States. According to the Vito Schnabel Gallery's profile, he founded his gallery in St. Moritz in 2015, expanding on his exhibition activities in New York and Santa Monica.

During their relationship, Klum and Schnabel were frequently seen together, and the supermodel did not hide her affection for him. In May 2017, while attending the Billboard Music Awards, Klum told a media outlet that she was "very much in love" when asked whether she had a musical crush she hoped to meet at the event.

She also offered her own perspective on falling in love, saying, "How do you know when it is? You just feel it, and then you know," before adding, "Is there something that you can pinpoint on someone? It's just a whole package that you fall in love with, right?"

A Reported Kiss With Another Woman Made Headlines Months Before Their Split

However, their seemingly happy romance had already attracted attention for reasons other than their public appearances together. In June 2017, Schnabel found himself at the center of speculation after he was photographed with a brunette woman outside London's Chiltern Firehouse in the early hours of the morning.

According to the Daily Mail, the art dealer was seen leaving the popular restaurant with the unidentified woman at about 3:30 a.m. The pair reportedly kissed before getting into a black cab, where their affectionate behavior allegedly continued.

The images quickly raised questions about his relationship with Klum, but Schnabel disputed the interpretation.

Speaking to PEOPLE, he described the encounter as an "innocent situation," explaining, "The claims that have been made are a misinterpretation of an entirely innocent situation," before adding, "There is nothing more to this than I was simply saying goodnight to a family friend and we went on our separate ways."

At the time, a source close to the couple also told PEOPLE that they were "happier than ever" after three and a half years together. And Klum appeared to put the speculation behind her. Just days after the photographs emerged, she was spotted kissing Schnabel at a U2 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

A friend later told Page Six that Klum wasn't concerned about the photographs, explaining that she had four gorgeous children and was happy with her life. "She's said she's never getting married. She's got four gorgeous kids. She's as happy as a clam."

Schnabel Was Also Arrested Weeks Before Their Relationship Ended

Another headline-making development came in September 2017, when Schnabel was arrested at Burning Man in Nevada, just weeks before his split from Klum became public. According to TMZ, the art dealer was arrested on September 3 by Pershing County Sheriff's deputies and charged with felony distribution and manufacture of a controlled substance.

Prosecutors alleged that Schnabel was in possession of psilocybin, the scientific name for psychedelic mushrooms, which is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and faced up to five years in prison if convicted.

Schnabel was no stranger to the festival, having attended the previous year's event with Klum. By the end of September 2017, however, their three-year relationship was over.

Klum Confirmed Their Breakup in September 2017

By September 2017, however, the relationship had come to an end. After reports that the couple had been taking time apart, Klum confirmed their separation in a statement to PEOPLE, saying, "I believe that it is important to take time to pause and reflect."

The supermodel appeared to be embracing her independence, too. During a trip to Las Vegas, where she attended the iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jennifer Lopez's All I Have show, a source told PEOPLE, "She's flying free," adding that the mother of four was happy to let her hair down with her girlfriends.

The couple's split came after approximately three years together. At the time, sources had also pointed to the challenges of living on opposite coasts and Klum's responsibilities as a mother, particularly with the beginning of a new school year.

Their relationship had certainly experienced its share of public scrutiny, making their latest unexpected encounter all the more interesting to those who remember their romantic history.

Schnabel's Love Life Has Continued to Make Headlines Since His Split From Klum

Klum was not the only well-known woman associated with Schnabel before he settled down. The art dealer previously dated actress Demi Moore and was also linked to models Elle Macpherson, Liv Tyler, Amber Heard, and Erin Wasson. He was subsequently associated with Russian model Irina Shayk in 2020.

More recently, however, Schnabel has taken another step in his romantic life, marrying Russian model Helena Althof in a private ceremony in 2024. Althof also confirmed their wedding in a carousel post on Instagram captioned, "……oops….🐰😈😇"

The couple tied the knot on July 9 in Old Westbury, New York, in a wedding described by Artnet News' Wet Paint as "very small" and "very private." According to the wedding report, the ceremony was so exclusive that Schnabel's father, renowned painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, and his sister, actress Stella Schnabel, were not among the attendees.

However, the guest list included several prominent names, among them Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner. Artist Rashid Johnson, art collector Aby Rosen, members of the Mugrabi family, and designer Ronny Kobo were also reportedly in attendance.

The couple sent out invitations featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse just a week before the ceremony. The reception took place at Schnabel's Richard Meier-designed mansion, which he purchased in 2019.

Althof later offered glimpses of the celebration through her Instagram posts, revealing a menu that included sushi and caviar, alongside a striking devil-red wedding cake. She also confirmed the marriage with a humorous post featuring a solo photograph of herself in her wedding dress, accompanied by bunny, devil, and angel emojis.

The couple reportedly first met aboard businessman James Packer's yacht in Saudi Arabia. The marriage marked Schnabel's first, despite his previous high-profile relationships.

More recently, Schnabel's name made headlines following reports of an unexpected encounter with Shayk in New York City. According to an account of their interaction, the model was walking her dog when Schnabel noticed her, caught up with her, and greeted her. Shayk appeared surprised by the interaction, after which Schnabel reportedly continued on his way.

Now, his latest New York encounter with Klum has brought another former relationship into the spotlight. Although the former couple appeared to exchange a friendly greeting outside Bar Pitti, the photographs have left fans debating whether the reunion was as comfortable as it first seemed.

While the photos have brought Klum's past relationship with Schnabel back into the spotlight, their encounter is just one small chapter in a much longer romantic history that has unfolded alongside her rise to fame.

Klum's personal life has often captured just as much attention. Over the years, she's experienced love in many forms — early marriages, public romances, and, finally, a happy ending with musician Tom Kaulitz.

Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz — A Modern Fairy Tale

After several relationships, including a three-year romance with art dealer Schnabel, Klum found love again with Tom Kaulitz, guitarist of the band Tokio Hotel. They met in 2018, and their connection was instant.

Despite their 17-year age difference, Klumdescribed Kaulitz as kind, caring, and deeply understanding. By the end of that year, they were engaged. They had a private wedding in early 2019, followed by a grand celebration later that summer aboard a yacht off the coast of Capri, Italy.

Since then, Klum and Kaulitz have continued to share their happiness, appearing together at major events like the 2024 Grammys. Heidi Klum's love life has evolved just as her career has.

From a three-year romance that once saw Klum describe herself as "very much in love" to a breakup that made headlines in 2017, her history with Schnabel has had its share of memorable moments.

Now happily married to Kaulitz, the supermodel has moved into another chapter of her life, but her unexpected reunion with her former boyfriend has given fans a reason to revisit the past. Whether the greeting was simply a friendly exchange or an uncomfortable moment, the photos have certainly left plenty of room for interpretation.