Heidi Klum’s 2024 Halloween costume was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, styled after the moment in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film when Gertie dresses E.T. in women’s clothes. Klum and her husband, Tom Kaulitz, both appeared as E.T. at Klum’s 23rd annual Halloween party in New York City on October 31, 2024. The “in drag” description refers to that film-inspired costume styling, not to a claim about anyone’s identity.
Why Heidi Klum chose E.T.
Klum told Vogue that she wanted a nostalgic idea and was thinking about dolls, movies and childhood memories when a small E.T. figurine brought her back to a favorite film. She has also said the movie encouraged her to imagine the possibility of life beyond Earth. As she put it, “I knew I wanted to do something nostalgic.”
In an Instagram caption reproduced by TheWrap, Klum recalled: “As a nine year old in Germany, E.T. introduced me to the idea that there’s life outside planet earth.” She added that she and her team had spent the previous year working out how to put her own stamp on the character.
How the E.T. costumes were made
Planning began in November 2023, the day after the previous Halloween. Klum contacted her regular special-effects artist, Mike Marino. Vogue reported that Marino and a team of 30 artists worked on the costumes, which were fully animatronic.
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- Size: 4T
- PRODUCT INCLUDES: This gray plush E.T. Toddler costume includes a bodysuit and hood.
- FROM THE FUN COMPANY: Close your eyes, think of your favorite movie, and you might find yourself with a warm smile. That's exactly the sensation we hope to create with all our costumes. This E.T. Costume is an example of our in-house designs meant to give you and your child lasting memories.
- DETAILS THAT MATTER: This E.T. Toddler costume features a plush design and large hood to help your child truly transform into the Extra-Terrestrial we all know and love.
- HIGH QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Since our Made by Us costumes are designed by our own in-house team, they are made with quality materials and expert skill. This means the costume will wear comfortably and is sure to last for multiple years to ensure the best experiences every season.
- The team digitally scanned Klum and Kaulitz’s faces and bodies.
- They digitally sculpted body parts, fitted the pieces together, and 3D-printed the sculptures.
- They made molds, cast the pieces in foam latex, and reinforced them with spandex.
- They added facial details—including eyeballs, teeth, tongues and fingernails—then airbrushed the finished work.
Marino described the process to Vogue: “We 3D-printed all the sculptures, molded them, cast them in foam latex, and reinforced them with spandex.” The team’s use of scans and molds helped build a character-sized illusion around the wearers; it was a bespoke effects project, not a routine makeup application.
What made the costume difficult to wear
E.T.’s small proportions presented a practical problem: the costumes had to make adult wearers appear to fit the character while keeping the oversized headpieces secure. Klum said, “Balancing the headpiece was one of the biggest challenges.” Marino designed a head rig to balance without excessive weight, while detailed airbrushing helped blend the costume with their faces.
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- Long sleeves
- Velcro closure
- Material: Polyester
- Care: Spot clean
- Imported
- Vogue reported that it took seven hours for each wearer to get into costume.
- Klum said the layered outfit was uncomfortable to wear for hours and difficult to remove.
- The headpiece needed to remain stable without becoming too heavy.
These constraints were part of the specific 2024 build; they are not general production times or requirements for other costumes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Klum said about becoming E.T.
Speaking to Good Morning America, Klum said she had always been a big fan of E.T. and “just thought it would be fun to become E.T.” The Gertie scene supplied the women’s-clothing styling, while the character and the film’s place in Klum’s childhood supplied the personal connection.
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- Long sleeves
- Velcro closure
- Material: Polyester
- Care: Spot clean
- Imported
Rank #4
- Long sleeves
- Velcro/button closure
- Adjustable straps
- Material: Polyester
- Care: Spot clean
Rank #3
- Size: X-Small
- PRODUCT INCLUDES: This gray plush E.T. Toddler costume includes a bodysuit and hood.
- FROM THE FUN COMPANY: Close your eyes, think of your favorite movie, and you might find yourself with a warm smile. That's exactly the sensation we hope to create with all our costumes. This E.T. Costume is an example of our in-house designs meant to give you and your child lasting memories.
- DETAILS THAT MATTER: This E.T. Toddler costume features a plush design and large hood to help your child truly transform into the Extra-Terrestrial we all know and love.
- HIGH QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Since our Made by Us costumes are designed by our own in-house team, they are made with quality materials and expert skill. This means the costume will wear comfortably and is sure to last for multiple years to ensure the best experiences every season.
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