Kaia Gerber owns 'nepo baby' status while questioning other celebrity kids: 'Show me why you deserve this job'

Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere are confronting Hollywood’s "nepo baby" debate head-on.

In Vogue’s September 2026 cover story , Gerber, daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, and Gere, son of Hollywood star Richard Gere opened up about the scrutiny surrounding their careers as they step into the spotlight together in Ryan Murphy’s FX series "The Shards" and acknowledged that audiences may be quick to judge them because of their famous families.

GOLDIE HAWN SOUNDS THE ALARM ON CHILDHOOD CELEBRITY CULTURE: 'ALL I CAN SAY IS IT'S A NIGHTMARE' "I’ve only ever been a nepo baby, and I’ve only ever benefited in my career from it," Gerber, 24, told Vogue.

The model and actress admitted she can even be skeptical of other celebrity children herself, wondering whether they have earned the opportunities they receive.

"Okay, show me why you deserve this job." Gerber said she warned her 26-year-old co-star that audiences likely wouldn't view him the same way they would an unknown actor making his debut.

CHARLIZE THERON SAYS HER KIDS WON’T GET A FREE RIDE IN HOLLYWOOD: THEY NEED TO ‘EARN IT’ "Unfortunately with this show, it’s not like you’re just any unknown actor and people will judge you as an unknown actor," she recalled telling him, adding that the scrutiny has made her "want to work harder." Gerber began modeling as a child and has since branched into acting, including multiple projects with Murphy .

Gere took a different route into show business.

Despite growing up with an A-list father, he said he was raised largely outside Hollywood and had never stepped onto a professional set until last year.

SHARON STONE SAYS 'EUPHORIA' SHOULD BE SHOWN IN 'EVERY HIGH SCHOOL' AND REQUIRED VIEWING FOR PARENTS Initially, Gere brushed off suggestions that he might follow in his parents’ footsteps and studied visual arts at Brown University before becoming involved in student filmmaking.

It wasn't until a talent manager saw one of his student films, that his acting career really began.

He later auditioned for both "The Shards" and HBO’s "Euphoria," landing roles in each.

Gere acknowledged that his family name inevitably complicates perceptions of his success.

"I’m a very self-critical guy who would like to believe that my career’s going well for all the wrong reasons," he told Vogue, adding that continued success has made that increasingly difficult for him to believe.

MAYA HAWKE SAYS MOM UMA THURMAN PRACTICED 'WITCH-ADJACENT' REMEDIES The casting of Gerber and Gere carries an additional Hollywood twist.