Leni Klum: "Models are so much more than just look pretty"-our cover star about career and the best advice of her mother

Leni Klum im GLAMOUR-Cover-Interview

WerOnly as a daughter of top modelknows, has missed a lot. Because that stands asin New York long ago on their own feet and is not at all like a typical oneso presented.

Instead of privileged and withdrawn, Leni shows himself as an absolute full professional in our conversation - for each question it quickly has a perfectly formulated answer and still makes you feel like having a lot of time for a good half hour. Just as if you were a good friend in her living room and not a journalist in a zoom window on the other side of the world. And: it is on time for the minute. One, as she says of herself, “typically German” character trait that she took over in LA despite her childhood.

And Leni Klum is also one thing on the set too: rapily down -to -earth. Leni hardly tells anything about California Luxury, all the more from her extremely down-to-earth everyday life: from chicken soup cooking over the weekend to the hated math learning for the university to her favorite topic, her. One could almost forget that Leni Klum is already a brand ambassador forwas on theRun-and now the third time is a glamor cover star, five years after she was in front of the camera for the first time at the age of 16. Since then she has not only moved out at home and has a stable long-term, but also studies interior design. In theshe tells what she has been over in recent yearslearned what it was with your partner tattooandis-and what she was the only girl in a football team for life.

Glamor: “Models are in your blood”, you could say. But was it always clear to you that you would take this path? Or did you have a completely different dream as a child?

Not really. On the contrary, as a child, I have been doing my mom to accompany her on her appointments. I just fascinated me on the set: the hair-, the make-up-and how much fun my mother has in shooting. I knew right away that I wanted that too. Sometimes I even jumped in front of the camera when nobody has paid attention, or asked the stylistswhen you were finished with your official work. At the age of 13 I finally wanted to get started, to model myself, but my mother slowed me down. I was too young. Today I would say: she was right!

You had to wait with the orders until you were 16. How did this decision influence your experience in the industry?

Without my mother's advice, I would have approached the matter a little naively and would not have had such an understanding of what is part of modeling. It is not only in front of the camera and look pretty, but a lot of things happen to the scenes that you can no longer see from the end product. Modeling is a lot of discipline. For example, it is super important to me today to always appear on time - typical German (laughs).

Speaking of being on time: you are now not only a model, but also study interior design on the NYU. A not quite typical CV.

For me, modeling and interior design go hand in hand. Interior architecture is quasiFor the home, the perfect addition to my interests. And I love it. Fortunately, I can make most online, so I can reconcile shootings and seminars.

What is important to you about your own rooms? Your clothing style is very minimalistic - is that in your home too?

The most important thing for me is the windows in all rooms - I love natural light and accordingly follow the light, natural tones when it comes to setting up. And I'm obsessed with kitchens. I have a whole-Board for you. After my bed, it is the place where I spend most of my time and I try to cook as much as possible myself.

What is your Go-to-Comfort-Meal after a hard day?

Definitely chicken soup! I do it once a week and always have a leaf in the fridge. This is a ritual that I took from home and that gives me a feeling of arriving. Cooking is so much more than just food! It arouses memories and connects us with people who are important to us.

Speaking of childhood memory - I was totally surprised that you were in a football club as a child! Do you also have good memories? And are there things that you have learned from the time for your current life?

Yes, that's right. I played football and later also football - the only girl in the team. That already taught me to assert myself. But was primarilyAlways a nice opportunity for me to spend time with my family. My mom and dad always came to all my training and playing, and sometimes I started my siblings in small tournaments. So yes, the competition certainly made me strong and prepared for the competition in the model company-but I learned the most from this time together and the durability that mine minehave lived in.

In a competition there are always winners and losers. But success looks different for everyone. How do you define him for yourself?

For me, success is satisfaction! As long as you are happy and what you do, fulfills you, then you know that youreallymanaged.

You definitely live in a city where many hope for success. New York is known as a city of dreams. How was the move from LA for you - did you have a typical cultural shock? La and New York are almost as opposite as Munich and Berlin.

That's correct. It is very different here in New York, much more restless, much more hectic - but also so inspiring. Sometimes I am not astonished on the street, over the different characters and different styles that you can see here. I have the feeling that all of the fashion makes you really trouble here. In LA you don't make that much on foot, but with that, That's why a complex street style look is less worthwhile. Here in New York I also live near the design university, which means that I am constantly surrounded by really well-dressed people if I only leave the house for a short time. My jogging pants and hoodies in the typical La-But I still love. Because as beautiful as playing with fashion is, in his clothes you have to feel comfortable. There shouldn't be so many rules.

Breaking outdated fashion rules is also a favorite activity of the Gen Z. Do you see yourself as part of this generation?

I don't think our generation is definitely defined by who we are. What is more important are our personal values ​​that we act - and they can look very different for someone else than for me. In general, such a drawer thinks rarely brings you, I think. But what is very important to me, which may be typical z, is selfcare.

What does your self-care look like so that it won't get too much between modeling, university-life and life in New York?

My Sundays are sacred to me. I always keep it free, and then I treat myself to an “everything shower”, lie on the couch, binge oneAnd put on my chicken soup. A classic reset day. During the week I rely as much on routine-I immediately do my bed and my Skincare every morning, drink my first coffee at home and usually start the day with university house tasks-, write. That is really good for me. Even if the homework is math (laughs).

Stability is important to you in every area of ​​life. You have been with your friend for over five years. What did you learn about relationships during this time - and is there a ritual that is important to you?

Oh, I learned a lot. After all, we got to know each other when we were both only 15 - and now we are in early 20th. This is a special time in which you learn a lot about yourself and change a lot. Going this way together was extremely beautiful. We have already been able to experience many different versions of the other and always support ourselves in growing further. Without trying to change the other.

A relationship is always a balance of balance to accept different versions of itself, but then also try together to become a better version of itself. In any case, we had our ups and downs over this time and have led a long-distance relationship for a while, which is always a challenge. Today we live together - the challenge is rather not to consider the time together. For us, one date night is an absolute must.

Do you have a tip for people whose relationship is stuck in everyday life?

Make something! Whether these are dinner nights to try a film evening or simply try a new recipe. Or something completely different-a common potter course. No matter what. The main thing is that you manage to actively shape the time together.

The other big relationship in your life is the one with your mother, with whom you will also be seen on TV as a guest juror for the 20th season “Germany's Next Top Model”. What was your highlight during the shoot?

Finally all participants: to get to know the inside was so cool. I had seen part of the season in advance and was already feverish with everyone until I got to the set myself. Then I was really Starstruck (laughs). And working with my mother again was great. Even if it is primarily work, we always have so much fun together - and then my grandma visited us on the set.

Where we are already with the collaborations with your mother: you don't always only get positive reactions to your collaboration. And especially for your-The campaigns always harvest sexist and misogyne comments. How do you deal with it?

I try to always remember that, no matter what you do, there will always be someone who doesn't fit. You simply have no influence on it and should not concentrate too much on the negative. Especially when you get a lot onis, it can easily happen. But there are so many more positive reactions. Oh, and: Most of the comments are in German, and I don't really understand many. Of course that also helps (laughs).

You don't understand all German comments - but in Germany you like to be like.

Very! IGenerally a lot and gladly for work, but to come to Germany is always special for me because I can then see my grandmother. I always write to her which city I will be in, and if she can somehow set it up, she comes to visit me.

The family seems to play a leading role in each of your stories. And you also wear your family with you in your second first name and your only tattoo.

Yes, that's right. My second first name Olumi is an abbreviation of my father's name, which is called Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel with a full name. And my only tattoo is a partner tattoo that I made with Tom and Bill in Mamas and Tom's wedding night. One of the guests had brought a tattoo machine with them, and Tom, Bill and I tattooed each other. But I have to confess: At Bill's last point, the boat wiggled and it has become a line. That was a kind of “the three musketers” moment for us. My family is like an anchor for my life.

Head of Editorial Content and Styling: Theresa Pichler
Photographer: Agata Serge
Acting Global Creative Director: Amelia Trevette
European Design Director: Eilidh Williamson
Casting Director: Dominik Wimmer
Hair Stylist: Takuya Yamaguchi at The Wall Group, using Oribe
Makeup Artist: Olivia Barad at See Management, using Dior
Nail Artist: Nori Yamanaka at See Management, using Chanel Le Vernis
Assistant Fashion Editor: Tascha Berkowitz
Set Designer: Selena Liu
Set Assistant: Colin Favre
Photo Assistant/Gaffer: Gabriel MontagnaniHead of Video: Moritz Mebesius
Director: Katharina Baron
DP: Kevin Pumpkin
Camera Operator: Mar Alfonso
Gaffer: David Djaco
Sound: Sean Paulsen
PA: Ashley Vidal

Producer: Jean Jarvis at Area 1202 Productions
Production Coordinator: Nika Bregvadze