Heidi Klum is totally cool being topless (like most Europeans) but she is adamant that snapping half-naked shots of her in the privacy of her own home is a HUGE NO NO ... sources close to the model tell TMZ.
As TMZ first reported, Heidi is considering filing a lawsuit after topless photos of her were printed in France. Klum is peeved because the photos were taken at her home, on a private beach.
We're told it's that fact that has Klum particularly peeved. Our sources says Klum has no problem being photographed topless when she goes on a public beach, but it's not okay when she's on private property.
According to our sources, Heidi says the cameramen were literally hanging from trees, using long range lenses (from miles away) and sending helicopters to fly over the house in order to get the shot.
We're told Heidi is furious that these private images -- which included her small children -- were blasted all over the world for everyone to see and even ended up on porn websites.
Our sources say Heidi is waiting to see how Kate Middleton's legal battle over her topless photos turns out before deciding whether or not to sue.
See also
Heidi Klum -- I May SUE Over New Topless Photos
Heidi Klum & Bodyguard Martin Kirsten -- Off the Clock, On a Date
Heidi Klum I May SUE Over New Topless Pics
9/20/2012 12:50 AM PT
Heidi Klum is really upset over brand new topless photos that have been published in a French magazine ... claiming her privacy was violated a la Kate Middleton ... and now she's seriously considering filing a lawsuit.
The photos have surfaced on several websites ... showing Heidi on vacation in the south of France with her bodyguard boyfriend ... sans bikini top.
There's just one problem ... it's unclear which French magazine published the original pics.
Sources close to Heidi tell TMZ ... the supermodel's camp is on the hunt for the source publication ... claiming her right to privacy was violated because she was on a private and secluded beach at the time the pics were taken.
Sound familiar? We're told Heidi is comparing her situation to that of Kate Middleton ... who also believes she was the victim of privacy invasion when a paparazzo snapped topless pics of her while she was sunbathing at a private chateau in France.
We're told ... just like Kate, Heidi wants to sue someone's ass ... but realizes she might have better luck if she waits for Kate to blaze the legal trail.
Long story short -- if Kate's legal attack is successful, Klum can simply copy her playbook ... and if it's not, she can learn from Kate's mistakes.
Supermodels -- they're not as dumb as you think.
See also
Heidi Klum & Bodyguard Martin Kirsten -- Off the Clock, On a Date
Heidi Klum's Bodyguard -- Text Offender
Kate Middleton French Court Shuts Down Publication of Topless Pics
9/18/2012 5:56 AM PT
A French court just put the kibosh on publication of the Kate Middleton topless pics, but the victory is kinda like plugging a dike which keeps springing leaks.
The court called the invasion of Kate and Prince William's privacy a "brutal display" and ordered Closer Magazine to immediately turn over all digital copies of the pics ... or else. The "or else" is a $13,100 daily fine.
Here's the problemo. The pics have also been published in Italy and Ireland and the ruling doesn't cover those magazines.
The palace also plans to file a criminal complaint. It appears the photog got the shots courtesy of a telephoto lens as they sunbathed on the balcony of a remote French chateau.
