Growing up as the daughter of one of the world’s most recognizable supermodels could have easily felt overwhelming, but Kaia Gerber insists her childhood felt grounded and ordinary in the ways that mattered most. In recent reflections, she described an upbringing that balanced creativity, discipline, and an unexpected level of openness that shaped how she views art, body image, and independence today.
Kaia Gerber explained that her early years felt “pretty isolated,” but in a positive sense, with a strong focus on learning and self-expression. According to Fox News, she attended public school, participated in theater and choir, and spent much of her time surrounded by books. That sense of normalcy, she says, defined her childhood far more than her famous last name.
Kaia Gerber on Growing Up Around Art and Honesty
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While her routines mirrored those of many other children, Gerber grew up in an environment few could relate to. She revealed that artistic photographs of her mother, Cindy Crawford, lined the walls of their home—images she viewed as expressive rather than inappropriate. To her, they represented creativity and confidence, not discomfort or objectification.
Gerber described that atmosphere as a gift, one that removed shame from conversations about the female body. She said the experience helped her develop a healthy understanding of self-image at a young age, rooted in respect rather than secrecy. That openness, she believes, quietly influenced the way she navigated adolescence and early adulthood.
Kaia Gerber’s Path From Childhood to the Runway
Life shifted for Kaia Gerber at age 15, when Donatella Versace selected her for a major fashion campaign. The opportunity marked a turning point, leading her to transition into homeschooling as her modeling career accelerated. From that moment, her path began to resemble her mother’s, though Gerber insists she made those choices intentionally.
Throughout her rise in fashion and acting, Kaia Gerber says her mother offered guidance only when asked. Crawford’s honesty, she noted, often came without sugarcoating, allowing her daughter to learn through experience rather than protection. Since her runway debut at 16, Gerber has worked with top fashion houses and built a career defined by independence, self-awareness, and lessons rooted in an unconventional—but deeply formative—childhood.