Kaia Gerber has opened up about the pressure of being compared to her iconic mother, Cindy Crawford, revealing she deliberately avoided certain hairstyles to sidestep the inevitable likeness. In an interview with Metro, the model and actress discussed her role in Ryan Murphy's controversial new drama, The Shards, and how she has finally learned to embrace her famous genes.
A Deliberate Attempt to Carve Her Own Identity
Gerber, 24, admitted that for years she avoided wearing her hair in a side part—a signature look of her mother's—to prevent being compared to the 90s supermodel. 'I didn't wear my hair in a side part for so long because I didn't want to get compared to my mum,' she said. 'And then I was like: "The only person that this hurts is myself."'
The admission came as she discussed her role in The Shards, a nine-part coming-of-age thriller based on Bret Easton Ellis's semi-autobiographical novel. The series, set in an elite Los Angeles prep school in the 1980s, follows Bret (Igby Rigney) as he navigates his senior year while a serial killer preys on his peers.
Channeling Her Mother's Era
In the show, Gerber plays Susan Reynolds, the 'it-girl' of her year who hides deep insecurities beneath a perfect facade. She revealed that she drew inspiration from her mother's own high school years, noting that Cindy was a freshman in 1981—the same era as the show's setting.
'My mum was a freshman in 1981, so there are images that I've seen of her with that exact hairdo in high school,' Gerber explained. The striking resemblance between mother and daughter is undeniable, but Gerber's journey to self-acceptance has been a process.
Famous Offspring in The Shards Cast
Gerber isn't the only cast member with a famous parent. Homer Gere, son of Richard Gere, plays the mysterious Robert Mallory, while Graham Campbell, who portrays jock Thom Wright, has drawn comparisons to another Ryan Murphy favorite—Evan Peters.
Campbell, who sports luscious blonde curls in the series, has been likened to Peters, a frequent collaborator of Murphy's who starred in American Horror Story and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. 'I should be so lucky! Those are big shoes to step into, Mr Evan Peters,' Campbell said. 'I guess I see it now, and I really appreciate it because I really admire that guy quite a bit.'
Campbell also revealed he's been mistaken for Shawn Mendes and Timothée Chalamet at various points in his life, adding to the list of celebrity doppelgängers in the cast.
From Runway to Screen
Both Gerber and her mother began their careers in modeling, with Kaia booking her first Versace campaign at just 10 years old. Cindy started at 16 after being discovered by a local photographer in Illinois, going on to become one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, working with brands from Chanel to Balmain.
Cindy also dabbled in acting, starring in Fair Game (1995) and making cameos in shows like Frasier and Cougar Town. Now, Kaia is forging her own path in Hollywood, with The Shards marking a significant step in her acting career.
A New Chapter for Gerber
Gerber's decision to stop avoiding side parts is symbolic of her broader shift toward embracing her identity, both as Cindy Crawford's daughter and as an individual. 'The only person that this hurts is myself,' she said, a sentiment that resonates with anyone who's ever struggled to step out of a parent's shadow.
The Shards is available to stream on Disney Plus, offering viewers a dark, nostalgic look at 80s LA through the eyes of Ellis's semi-autobiographical protagonist.
