When Heidi Klum appeared on the red carpet for Project Hail Mary with a strikingly tall and polished young man, many people thought she had a new boyfriend.
She didn’t — but looking at the photos, it’s easy to see why fans were confused.
On March 18, the highly anticipated space film Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, premiered.
As often happens, the red carpet at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City was packed with stars, and among them was Heidi Klum. She arrived with a young man dressed in a light beige suit — a loose-fitting jacket and wide-leg trousers.
“mysterious” man quickly caught attention, and some even wondered if the supermodel had a new, much younger boyfriend.
But for anyone familiar with Heidi Klum, it was clear she was actually accompanied by her eldest son, 20-year-old Henry Samuel.
Today, Henry Samuel barely resembles the shy boy who once followed behind his mother at basketball games or quietly walked beside her through city streets.
From his striking resemblance to his famous father to the bold career path he’s now creating for himself, the 20-year-old is 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 figuring out my own look or just how I feel in different clothing, but that changed over time. So they were always telling me, ‘Whatever makes you feel good, whatever makes you feel powerful, whatever makes you feel like who you want to be,’” Henry explained at the 2025 GQ Men of the Year Awards.
For most of his childhood, Henry stayed on the edges of his mother Heidi Klum’s high-profile world. He was the kid in the stands at NBA games, the quiet presence at red carpet events, and the boy walking beside his parents through New York City streets.
But that version of Henry is almost unrecognizable today. A boy who once blended into the background has grown into a confident young man impossible to ignore.
First magazine cover
It’s no surprise his style has evolved — growing up with a supermodel mother and Grammy-winning father Seal meant 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 dramatic cutout in the back.
Heidi quickly celebrated 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 with the title “Fight Back.”
Heidi proudly wrote: “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 relaxed 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 looked 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 looked perfectly coordinated, and the height difference stood out — Henry now towers over his supermodel mother.
Genetics at work
Naturally, social media exploded over the photos. Fans couldn’t believe how much Henry had grown — and how much he resembles both of his famous parents.
One person 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.”
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 simply 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 mother to 21-year-old Leni, who was adopted by Seal in 2009.
There’s no doubt Henry shares a strong bond with both parents. While celebrity children sometimes drift away from their famous families, that clearly doesn’t seem to be the case here. Instead, he appears genuinely inspired by everything both Heidi and Seal have achieved.
In an interview with People, Henry shared his favorite career moments from both parents.
“Definitely Victoria’s Secret for my mom on the runway,” he said of Klum, referring to her 11-year run as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. “In the ’90s with Adriana Lima.”
As for his father, Seal, Henry highlighted one unforgettable performance.
“Definitely when he was performing a tribute for Prince,” he said, referring to the late “Purple Rain” icon. “I’d say 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 think genetics have truly outdone themselves. One thing is certain: the resemblance has everyone talking.
Who do you think he looks more like — mom, dad, or a little of both?
