German-American model, TV host, and actress Heidi Klum recently caused a stir in Venice—but not for the right reasons. She electrified the red carpet at the Film Festival in a corset dress by Intimissimi. Yet, behind the applause and flashbulbs, a wave of rude and sexist comments unleashed itself on social media.

A remarkable appearance… and analyzed under a magnifying glass

Heidi Klum recently appeared radiant and confident in a powder pink corset dress with a hip slit. Alongside her, her 21-year-old daughter, Leni Klum, wore a graphic black version. Together, they formed a close and perfectly orchestrated duo, a visual extension of the mother-daughter campaigns they’ve been working on for several seasons.

The images quickly set the internet ablaze. And while the compliments poured in, some internet users went wild over the model’s body, making multiple judgments: “bad haircut” , “too much makeup” , “bloated body” , “maternity dress” … An avalanche of toxic comments, often written in the name of a “fashion opinion” but clearly tinged with body shaming.

Further proof that women’s bodies remain a public target

What’s striking about this controversy isn’t just its violence: it’s its banality. Once again, a woman’s body, especially one over 50, becomes an object of collective judgment. Whether she’s “too thin,” “too muscular,” “not fresh enough,” or “too visible,” Heidi Klum crystallizes a paradox: we expect women to never age, but we attack them as soon as they dare to fully exist past a certain age.

This kind of criticism reveals a much broader reality: the female body remains, in 2025, subject to a permanent social tribunal, where appearance is dissected, commented on, mocked – especially when it deviates from the unrealistic standards imposed by image culture. The simple fact that one can write, without restraint, “she looks pregnant” about a woman who is not, says everything about the still violent gaze directed at women’s bodies.

A wave of salutary support

Fortunately, in the face of this toxicity, many voices have been raised to defend Heidi Klum. Anonymous people, fans, and even public figures have pointed out the obvious: “Heidi has a normal, beautiful body,” “No one here can hold a candle to her,” or “She exudes confidence and elegance.”

Far from being affected, Heidi Klum continued her visit to Venice with a smile, appearing the next day in a casual outfit and warmly greeted by the photographers. Her daughter, Leni, seems to be following the same path: quiet confidence, but a clear desire to take back control of their image, together.

It’s time to let women live in their bodies

It bears repeating: a woman’s body is not a subject of public debate. Nor is her age. Nor is her dress. Nor is her figure. What Heidi Klum’s appearance demonstrates is that a woman can be luminous, powerful, and comfortable in her own skin at 52, and that this still bothers some people. Not because of her, but because it evokes a freedom that many refuse to accept: that of existing outside of norms.

Ultimately, the problem isn’t Heidi Klum. The problem is that we continue to believe we have the right to comment on women’s bodies like we would give a grade. So no, she hasn’t “aged.” She’s taken the time to age freely, with her own style, her own choices, and without asking anyone for anything. And that’s precisely what should be celebrated.