Why Cindy Crawford’s Daughter Believes She Doesn’t Owe Her Success to Anyone

Children often tend to choose similar careers to the ones their parents have, with working sons more likely to have the same job as their fathers than working daughters and their mothers. Nonetheless, both parents greatly impact their offspring’s career decisions. Kaia Gerber is somewhat of an exception to this fact, as she has managed to pursue the same job as her mom and father simultaneously, and she’s doing it on her own terms.

Kaia Gerber started modeling at a young age.

Being the child of not 1, but 2 famous supermodels — Cindy Crawford and model-turned-entrepreneur Rande Gerber — it was only a matter of time before Kaia followed in her parents’ footsteps.

Gerber’s modeling career took off at the young age of 10 when she landed her first campaign for Versace. By 14, she was the face of Miu Miu’s eyewear line. At 15, she made her acting debut and has since seamlessly balanced both runway and on-screen work.

Making a splash on every runway, often showing her face on the cover of high-profile magazines and being linked to Hollywood’s finest young actors, Gerber is set on making a name for herself in both modeling and acting without being in her mother’s shadow.

She’s known for being able to pull off different looks, from classic beauty to edgy androgynous.

The baby supermodel to watch, as deemed by fashion editors worldwide, Gerber’s lean physique, chiseled bone structure, bushy brows, and olive-hued skin make her the embodiment of past trends with a vision for the future.

Tap the arrows on the pictures above and below to get a glimpse into the model’s style.

Addressing claims about her being a “nepo baby,” Gerber is not afraid to speak her mind.

Gerber has faced accusations of nepotism from the media, but she has firmly rejected the claim, stating that true artists never compromise their vision for anyone’s child. She went on to explain that success in the industry requires more than just connections, saying, “No one wants to work with someone who’s annoying, tough, and unkind.”

“I won’t deny the privilege that I have,” said Gerber, who is thankful to her mother, Cindy Crawford, who’s been a constant source of great advice and inspiration. “She’s my hero and role model,” admitted Gerber, adding that she’s been fortunate to meet incredible people through her mother’s network.

Crawford confirms that Gerber may have had some advantages in the modeling industry, saying, “She’s my daughter and people know that.” However, she rejects the notion that she used her influence to buy Gerber a cover of a magazine or get her into a fashion show, pointing out that if she were to do so, it would be for herself instead.

The mother-daughter duo is proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Gerber used to resist the comparisons people drew between herself and her mother, Crawford, despite the frequent comments she received from industry insiders. She struggled to see the similarities, but nowadays, she sometimes has to pause to figure out which one of them is in a photo.

For the 21-year-old, it’s not just about the physical resemblance; she recognizes that they share mannerisms and react to situations in similar ways. “That’s where it really shines through how much alike we are,” Gerber said. Despite her initial resistance, she now embraces the connection with her mother and feels grateful for the ways in which they are alike.

Now when people compare her to Crawford, it’s the ultimate compliment for Gerber. She cherishes the moments when people tell her that she’s acting like her mother. In good humor, Gerber offers a quick tip on how to tell them apart: “My mom’s the one with the mole.”