Kaia Gerber has revealed that she has experienced disordered eating and discussed the significant pressure of public scrutiny, particularly in relation to comparisons with her mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford. The 24-year-old model and actress shared her experiences in a recent interview with Vogue.
Gerber described how negative public commentary can exacerbate mental health struggles. "People are like: 'You look terrible,' and it doesn’t exactly make you go: 'Oh, good. Let me get over this mental illness then!'" she stated, emphasizing that negativity is not conducive to recovery.
Entering the public eye as a teenager, Gerber has frequently been compared to her mother, a prominent figure in the 1990s modeling scene. This constant comparison has affected her body image. "As someone who’s been thin most of my life, I’ve always been compared against my mom - like, What’s wrong with Kaia? I’m so jealous of my mom’s body. I would have loved to be born with boobs and a butt," she admitted.
She observed the current fashion climate, noting, "We’re clearly in one of those cycles right now where people are very, very, very thin," referencing the influence of medications like Ozempic.
Gerber also commented on the recent public reaction to her boyfriend, Homer Gere, whose father was briefly married to Crawford. She expressed happiness at the positive reception of Gere's appearance, particularly remarks calling his "dad bod" sexy. "Everyone’s being like: 'This is so sexy.' And I think that rocks," Gerber said.
Despite the frequent comparisons, Gerber stated she disagrees with fans who see her as a doppelganger of her mother. "In all seriousness, it's an honor when people tell me I look like my mom. I wish I did. I think even on my best days, I'm not even close," she told Yahoo! Entertainment. She added that any resemblance is a compliment, as she considers her mother "the most beautiful woman inside and out."
Cindy Crawford has previously addressed the fashion industry's role in promoting eating disorders. In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, she called the idea that fashion solely promotes eating disorders "a little bit of a stretch." Crawford suggested that while the industry might play a small role, issues of self-esteem, self-love, and control are more significant factors. She also noted that fashion trends, like the shift from the "Amazonian" supermodels of her era to the thinner aesthetic associated with Kate Moss, are cyclical and extreme.
Gerber also reflected on her upbringing, noting that her mother's open approach to her own nude photography, such as her 1988 Playboy feature, was presented as artistic rather than vulgar. "It wasn't vulgar; it wasn't objectification... a gift to grow up in a house that was without shame for the female body," Gerber stated.