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Heidi Klum has admitted to dating her bodyguard Martin Kristen for the first time in a television interview today, although stopped short of calling the romance a 'relationship.'

The 39-year-old German model told Katie Couric on her talk show today that her romance with Kristen had 'just started,' after Couric asked if she is in a 'proper relationship.'

Klum said: 'I don't even know if I can call it that. I don't know.

She then elaborated on her friendship with Kristen whom she has known for four years.


'He's been with our family for the last four years,' she said. 'He’s cared for our entire family, mostly for our four children, helped us tremendously.

'I trust him with my children’s life. He’s a great man, you know, and we just got to know each other from a completely different side.'


Couric also addressed Seal's comments that Klum had been having an affair with Kristen while they were still married, asking her: 'He accused you of quote, "fornicating with the help", implying you were having an affair with your bodyguard while you were married.'

The talk show host added: 'He then clarified the comment and said "before your divorce was final."


'But what did you think about his comments, how he said them, because a lot of people were put off by his choice of words?

Heidi said: 'Yes, he has a very unique choice of words. I'm used to them. I don't know. I don't love that. Obviously, it's not true. I’ve never looked at another man while I was with him.

'And it's hard when you think that he thinks that, you don't know...he was hurt...' she added.

According to the Project Runway host, they have both moved on since announcing their split back in January this year, although the increased media scrutiny has put pressure on her new relationship.

'He's moved on,' said Klum. 'When we separated he's moved on and so have I. And it's very hard when you start seeing somebody again, you know. All of a sudden. It's hard then when everyone is watching you. It's almost like you can't have a real proper chance in a way.


'And I do want to date again. I'm turning 40. I don't even know where it's going to go.'

She acknowledged she and Seal aren't 'the greatest of friends' in the wake of their split, adding that she was stunned when the singer alluded to her having an affair with her bodyguard.

Klum said the pair are talking, but for now she's taking it 'one day at a time'.

Sitting across from the former news anchor wearing a black and white all-in-one bodysuit and heels, she said: 'I don't know if we're the greatest friends right now, especially because of the things that he said.


'I just saw him on, on Sunday. We were talking and we're in an okay place.'

Seal recently told TMZ: 'I would have preferred Heidi to have shown a little bit more class and at least waited until we separated first before deciding to fornicate with the help.'

Klum said trouble has come from the couple always being watched by the public and press, causing added pressure.


'It's a work in progress. You have to take it one day at a time,' she explained.


'It's hard especially when you are in the public eye too.


'People are always looking at you closely and at everything you do. And they also don't always see exactly how it really is.'

'I haven't felt like correcting every rumour that is out there. I'm focusing on moving forward.'

A spokesman for Klum denied the claims, and Seal later retracted his statement, insisting he had not meant to suggest she had cheated on him during their marriage.


Klum said that although she is moving on with her dating life, her children with Seal are her first priority.

'I'm trying to think of my kids right now. I don't want them to all to go through that. I'm trying to protect them from all of this.


'They're very young. My oldest is eight, my youngest is turning three. I'm thinking about them . I want to be a good mom for them. I'm taking it one day at a time.'

Klum, who filed for divorce back in April following seven years of marriage, shares four children with Seal: Leni, eight, Henry, six, Johan, five, and two-year-old Lou.

source