Heidi Klum Says Seeing 1 Body Type Online Is 'So Out of Date': 'Diversity Is Bigger Than Ever' (Exclusive)

The star, who just launched Modelverse — an online fashion experience on Roblox — speaks with PEOPLE about body positivity

<p>Max Montgomery</p> Heidi Klum.

Max Montgomery

Heidi Klum.

Heidi Klum is using her platform to champion body positivity.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the supermodel, 51, opens up about the importance of showcasing all different types of bodies in all aspects of life, including online.

Highlighting her latest project, Modelverse — an online fashion experience she created and designed for Roblox that allows users the opportunity to model at some of the world's biggest events — Klum says it was of the utmost importance to her to make sure caricatures on the virtual platform would match reality.

"I wanted people to either come with their own avatar or create a new avatar [and have it be] however they want, and not just that one typical kind of body shape, which I think is so out of date," she explains.

"We're in 2024. I think diversity is bigger than ever these days, so why is this not reflected in any of the games," Klum adds. "I feel like there needs to be a variety in avatars, so I wanted to make a world where there's diversity in body shapes."

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<p>Modelverse/Roblox</p> Modelverse.

Modelverse/Roblox

Modelverse.

Related: Lizzo, Ashley Graham and More Body Positive Celebs on Their Journeys to Self Love

According to Klum, the idea to create Modelverse was first sparked after years of watching her daughter Lou spend time on Roblox.

After asking her 14-year-old, "What is missing in this game?" the America's Got Talent judge determined that only a certain body type was being featured on many online platforms, and she felt she needed to be proactive in initiating a change.

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<p>John Salangsang/Variety via Getty</p> Heidi Klum in September 2023.

John Salangsang/Variety via Getty

Heidi Klum in September 2023.

"For most younger kids, I don't think the diversity idea, or the importance of it, has even sunken into [their heads]. They don't even realize," Klum says. "... The world is not looking like this, and most of us are not looking like this."

Plus, the mother of four adds that her ideas didn't just stop there, and she wanted to go a step further in allowing users the ability to let their creativity soar. "Why do we have to just look human? Why not be a hot dog walking down the catwalk or ... a walking tree or anything like that?" she says.

<p>Modelverse/Roblox</p> Modelverse.

Modelverse/Roblox

Modelverse.

Related: Heidi Klum's Best Modeling Throwbacks

In Modelverse, which was crafted with an assist from Supersocial, users get to utilize themed catwalks that match whatever holiday or big event is taking place that month.

"I kind of looked at the world calendar and what kind of festivities are happening," Klum tells PEOPLE. "I got inspired by those and created all these different worlds in these different places, so not to be redundant to always have the same catwalk."

"We dive into all these different worlds and their festivities, and for each I created different looks," adds the fashion designer.

For October, users can virtually attend Klum's iconic annual Halloween party, or take part in Oktoberfest from afar. "I have this amazing Oktoberfest catwalk ... there's sausages hanging everywhere," Klum says. "... You really think you are in Bavaria."

Modelverse is available to play now.

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