When Heidi Klum appeared on the red carpet for Project Hail Mary with a strikingly tall and polished man, people thought she had a new boyfriend.
She wasn’t — but looking at the photos, it’s easy to see why fans were confused.
On March 18, the highly anticipated space movie Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, premiered.
As is often the case, the red carpet at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City was packed with stars, and among them was supermodel Heidi Klum. She arrived with a young man dressed in a light beige suit — loose-fitting jacket and wide-leg trousers.
The “mysterious” man caught the attention of many, and some even wondered if the supermodel had a new, much younger boyfriend.
But for anyone who knows Heidi Klum, it was clear that she was actually accompanied by her eldest son, 20-year-old Henry Samuel.
Today, Henry Samuel hardly resembles the shy boy who used to trail behind his mother at basketball games or walk quietly beside her through the city streets.
From his undeniable resemblance to his famous father to the bold path he’s forging in his own right, the 20-year-old is now clearly stepping out of his parents’ shadows— and his red carpet appearance at Project Hail Mary was the latest proof.
”When I was growing up, I was always evolving with my style and just figuring out my own look or just how I feel in different clothing, but that evolved over time. So they were just telling me like, ‘Whatever makes you feel good, whatever can make you feel powerful, make you feel like whoever you want to feel,’” Henry explained at the 2025 GQ Men of the Year Awards.
For most of his childhood, Henry existed on the outskirts of his mother Heidi Klum’s high-profile world. He was the kid in the stands at NBA games, the quiet presence during red carpet events, and the boy walking alongside his parents through New York City streets.
But that version of Henry is unrecognizable today. A boy who once blended into the background has grown into a confident young man you can’t help but notice.
First magazine cover
It’s no surprise his style has evolved — growing up between a supermodel mother and Grammy-winning father Seal, Henry had a front-row seat to self-expression from day one.
At 19, he made his runway debut at the Lena Erziak Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 Show during Paris Fashion Week, stepping out in a bold all-black suit with a cutout in the back.
Heidi was quick to celebrate on Instagram: ”So proud of you Henry — Opening the Lena Erziak Haute Couture Show in Paris.”
Just two months later, Henry landed his first magazine cover: a striking black-and-white shoot for Hunger magazine, shirtless under a dark patterned suit titled “Fight Back.” Heidi gushed: ”The world is just beginning to see what I’ve always known — you are destined for greatness!”
During the Project Hail Mary premiere, Henry arrived beside Heidi looking every bit the part.
He wore a light beige suit with a loose-fitting jacket, wide-leg trousers, a sheer brown-and-tan patterned shirt left open at the chest, and a matching scarf draped around his neck. Heidi was radiant in a crisp all-white suit with a deep V-neck top, wide sleeves, and high-waisted trousers, finished with metallic pointed shoes.
The two were perfectly coordinated, and the height difference was striking — Henry now towers over his supermodel mother.
Genetics at work
Naturally, social media exploded over the photos. Fans couldn’t get over how much Henry had grown — and how much he looks like both of his famous parents.
One wrote, “Son is so handsome, gets the best from both parents 😍🔥,” while another added, “Her son is gorgeous. He looks like his dad and Heidi in a perfect blend. XXX.”
Some fans even thought he was Heidi’s new boyfriend: “I thought that was Heidi’s new BF! LoL! Time flies! So handsome, I see a little Seal in him. 🥰”
Others praised the mother-son duo: “Heidi & Henry looking fabulous together 🔥❤️,” while one cheeky observer commented on his hair: “yikes.”
Heidi and Seal share three biological children: Henry, 20; Johan, 19; and Lou, 16. The America’s Got Talent host is also a mother to 21-year-old Leni, who was adopted by the British musician in 2009.
There’s no doubt that Henry shares a strong bond with his parents. While it’s easy for children of celebrities to fall out of favor with their famous parents (look at Brooklyn Beckham, for example), that clearly isn’t the case with Henry Samuel. Instead, he seems genuinely impressed and inspired by what both Heidi and Seal have accomplished.
In an interview with People, Henry shared his favorite career moments from his supermodel mom and musician dad.
”Definitely Victoria’s Secret for my mom on the runway,” he said of Klum, referring to her 11-year reign as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. ”(In) the ’90s with Adriana Lima.”
As for his dad, Seal, Henry highlighted a particularly memorable performance:
”Definitely when he was performing [a tribute] for Prince,” he said, referring to the late “Purple Rain” singer, who passed away in 2016 at age 57. ”I would guess that’s my favorite moment for my dad.”
Some say Henry Samuel is the perfect mix of Heidi’s elegance and Seal’s striking features, while others wonder if genetics have truly outdone themselves. One thing’s for sure: the resemblance has everyone talking — and it’s sparking a lively debate online. Who do you see more in him — mom, dad, or a little bit of both?
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