Kaia Gerber, daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has revealed the complex dynamics within her famously photogenic family, detailing her own struggles with disordered eating and her brother Presley's long battle with depression and drug addiction.
In a candid interview with Vogue, the 24-year-old model and aspiring actress shared that her brother's issues, which included a 2019 arrest for driving under the influence for which he received probation, created a significant strain on the family.
"When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone," Gerber said. She explained that Presley's difficulties led her to consciously adopt the role of the "easy" child, avoiding asking for help to not burden her parents further.
"I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing," she told Vogue. She recounted moving into her own apartment at 17 and being too proud to ask her mother for help with basic tasks like operating a dishwasher, stating, "I never wanted to embarrass them."
A source familiar with the family confirmed Gerber's account to the Daily Mail, describing the siblings as "deeply bonded" but having "metabolized the pressure" of their high-profile upbringing in different ways. The insider characterized Presley as a "wild child" whose distress was visible, while Kaia became "extraordinarily self-contained, competent and a low needs person."
Gerber also spoke about her own body image issues, stemming from constant comparisons to her supermodel mother. "As someone who's been thin most of my life, I've always been compared against my mom - like, 'What's wrong with Kaia?'" she said. She expressed envy over her mother's figure, admitting, "I would have loved to be born with boobs and a butt."
She revealed a history of disordered eating, noting the negative impact of public commentary on her body. "People are like, 'You look terrible,' and it doesn't exactly make you go, 'Oh, good. Let me get over this mental illness then!' Negativity has never saved someone's life," Gerber stated.
Presley Gerber, 27, has also spoken publicly about his mental health struggles. In 2023, he discussed his journey with depression and addiction on the Studio 22 podcast, hoping to help others facing similar challenges. He has detailed his struggles with prescription medication, including buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium, and has undergone ibogaine therapy for substance abuse.
Cindy Crawford commented on her son's video about his mental health, writing, "Presley, we love you and you're not alone."
Despite the family's challenges, Kaia Gerber has found success in both modeling and acting. She stars in the new TV drama series "The Shards," where she shares the screen with Homer Gere, son of actor Richard Gere. The pairing drew attention due to Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere's past marriage from 1991 to 1995.
Gerber acknowledges her status as a "nepo baby," stating in the Vogue interview, "I've only ever been a nepo baby, and I've only ever benefited in my career from it."