**Kaia Gerber Reflects on Mother Cindy Crawford’s Legacy as She Stars in ‘The Shards’**
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Kaia Gerber has recently opened up about her relationship with her mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, as she promotes her latest role in Ryan Murphy’s series *The Shards*. While the 24-year-old model and actress often finds herself compared to her iconic mother, she admits that she does not see the resemblance that many others claim exists.

In a candid interview, Gerber expressed her feelings about the comparisons that are frequently drawn between her and Crawford. “It’s an honour when people tell me I look like my mum. I wish I did,” she remarked, underlining her belief that she falls short of her mother’s beauty. “I think even on my best days, I’m not even close,” she said in an interview released in August 2026.

Gerber’s new role as Susan Reynolds, a popular cheerleader in *The Shards*, has undoubtedly intensified the spotlight on the similarities between her and her mother. The show, inspired by Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, is set against a glamorous backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles. It follows a group of high school seniors navigating the complexities of identity, love, jealousy, and the lurking dangers of adolescence, including a serial killer targeting teenagers in their city.
As fans of the show will note, Kaia’s styling closely mirrors the hair and fashion trends of the ‘80s, complete with voluminous curls and sophisticated face-framing pieces. During production, she was curious enough to reach out to Crawford for insights on her own hair routines during that era. Gerber recalled her mother’s response, “I was like, ‘There’s no way you were doing your hair like this before high school,’” to which Crawford revealed her early morning beauty regime included waking up at 4 a.m. to set her curlers.
With a playful tone, Kaia light-heartedly lamented, “I’ve just never put that much effort into anything I’ve ever done… just at all.” Her comment highlights a humorous contrast between the high-maintenance beauty standards of her mother’s time and her own approach to fashion and beauty.
During an earlier interview in 2023 with PEOPLE, Gerber reflected on some of her mother’s most iconic looks from the past, contemplating which ones she would be interested in recreating. “There are so many that I love and that I think are so iconic,” she said, pointing out Crawford’s stunning red Versace gown from the 1991 Oscars as one standout piece. “The red Oscars dress I’ve always thought was just so beautiful,” she observed, recalling the attention it commanded when Crawford wore it.
Moreover, Kaia revealed her admiration for other memorable styles from her mother’s career, including outfits from her time hosting MTV’s *House of Style* in the ‘90s, as well as the famous Pepsi commercial from 1992. However, she also expressed a sense of hesitation about recreating certain iconic moments, stating, “some things are just so good you don’t even want to touch them.” Her thoughtful approach indicates a desire to respect the original while still carving out her own identity in the fashion world.
Cindy Crawford, who remains supportive of her daughter’s aspirations, expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of Kaia recreating elements of her past work. She acknowledged the fun in the idea of revisiting the iconic Pepsi commercial, suggesting, “I definitely think the Pepsi thing would be fun… But if they’re going to do her — it has to be the iconic commercial, but a new version of that.”
As Kaia Gerber embraces her burgeoning career in acting and modelling, her reflections on her mother’s legacy seem to highlight the balance she seeks between honouring the past and asserting her own unique identity. With her latest role in *The Shards*, she is not only making a name for herself but is also navigating the complicated dynamics of familial resemblance and personal ambition.
As the new series launches, fans will have the opportunity to witness Gerber’s transformative role that pits the familiar against the new, all while she continues to honour the indelible mark left by her mother in the world of fashion and celebrity culture.
