1. A Halloween Makeover Out of This World
Heidi Klum once again lived up to her “Queen of Halloween” title with a costume that captivated everyone: she transformed into E.T. from the 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The look featured intricate prosthetics, an animatronic headpiece, and glowing fingertips that brought the beloved alien to life in a way that surprised and delighted guests.
Her husband, Tom Kaulitz, paired in a complementary E.T. costume—creating a memorable duo that blended nostalgia, craftsmanship, and theatricality. Their matching outfits paid tribute to a famous scene while offering a fresh and immersive interpretation that wowed the crowd.
2. Months of Preparation Behind the Masterpiece
Heidi’s 2024 costume wasn’t a last-minute creation—it was the result of a full year’s worth of planning. From the day after Halloween last year, she brainstormed ideas, ultimately settling on a nostalgic concept rooted in childhood inspiration.
To bring the look to life, a team of around 30 FX artists spent countless hours creating and perfecting the costume. They used digital scanning, sculpting, 3D printing, and foam latex casting to achieve an illusion that seamlessly merges Klum with E.T.’s iconic form.
3. High-Tech Prosthetics and Animatronics
The real magic came from the costume’s animatronic elements. Klum’s headpiece featured motorized eyes and a mouth, controlled remotely by her team and balanced carefully to ensure both comfort and realism.
Every detail—from scaled skin textures to articulated hands—was airbrushed and blended into Klum’s body, creating an uncanny realism that truly blurred the lines between human and alien. This level of craftsmanship raised Halloween artistry to truly cinematic heights.
4. Theatrics on Display at Heidiween 2024
The reveal took place at Klum’s legendary Halloween bash at New York’s Hard Rock Hotel, where her entrance generated immediate buzz. Elevated set staging and special effects—like a smoke machine—enhanced the surreal effect, making it feel as though E.T. had indeed landed on Earth.
Costume depth was matched by party energy, as guests like Haley Kalil, Charli D’Amelio, and others arrived in inspired, over-the-top looks. The event underscored Klum’s reputation for staging the most talked-about Halloween parties in celebrity culture.
5. A Nod to Childhood Wonder
The choice of E.T. was personal—it’s reportedly Heidi’s favorite childhood movie, one she watched countless times. This isn’t just a costume; it’s a nostalgic homage rooted in happy memories and creative inspiration.
That emotional layer turned the costume into more than spectacle—it became a love letter to imagination, childhood dreams, and the power of cinema to shape us. That emotional connection resonates with fans far beyond visual appeal.
6. Upgrading the Art of Costume-Wear
Klum admitted that stepping into the costume was physically challenging. The animatronic headpiece weighed around five pounds, and the complexity meant she even wore an adult diaper—so she could stay in character without interruption.
Despite the discomfort, she pressed on, embracing the immersive process and enduring hours in makeup and prosthetics. Her endurance reinforced why fans revere her commitment to Halloween artistry—it’s about the journey as much as the reveal.
7. Keeping Fans Guessing Until the Last Moment
In the weeks leading up to the event, Heidi dropped cryptic hints—sneak peeks of prosthetic fragments in social posts and live-streams—to build suspense without spoiling the surprise.
She’s mastered the art of anticipation, balancing secrecy and tease so that fans are both thrilled and completely blindsided when the full costume lands—reinforcing her reputation as the Halloween queen.
8. A Legacy of Halloween Extravagance
This isn’t Heidi’s first over-the-top costume. She’s previously stunned audiences as a worm, a peacock, Fiona from Shrek, Jessica Rabbit, Princess Fiona, a Thriller werewolf, and others—each more elaborate than the last.
Each year, she reinvents the concept of what Halloween can be. The sheer scale of her costumes—from design to execution—has set the gold standard for high-fashion Halloween theatrics.
9. Couples Costumes as Performance Art
Teaming up with her husband has become a fixture of Heidi’s Halloween narrative. From worm-and-fisherman to peacock egg-and-feather, her couples costumes elevate the experience—turning it into shared storytelling and stagecraft.
This year, the joint E.T. ensemble added emotional resonance and visual symmetry, creating a dynamic duo moment that was as compelling as it was eerie—with Klum’s female E.T. and Kaulitz’s classic version standing side by side.
10. Setting the Bar for Halloween 2025
Once the party ends, it’s already time for Heidi to think ahead. She unwinds and recovers—but also begins planning next year’s look—a testament to her relentless creativity and devotion to the form.
Her costumes are more than fancy dress—they’re cultural events, performance pieces, and creative benchmarks. With 2024’s E.T., she raised the stakes and reminded everyone why Halloween isn’t just a date—it’s her artistic calendar’s crown jewel.
