Kaia Gerber, 22, says she 'didn't realize' how 'iconic' supermodel mum Cindy Crawford was until a year ago

Kaia Gerber didn't know that her mother, Cindy Crawford, was considered one of the greatest supermodels until last year.

During an interview with The Wall Street Journal Published on Tuesday, the 22-year-old admitted that her modeling career was definitely shaped by her mother's success — even if she didn't realize how “iconic” Crawford was — and still is — until she watched “The Super Models.” ”

“I was like, 'I didn't realize.' “I knew you were creative, but… 'I didn't understand when I was younger,'” she recalled telling her mother, 57, at the time.

“I was awestruck in front of her after that.”

The Apple TV+ show highlighted Crawford's career, as well as that of Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, who were four of the “Big Six” of the 1990s.

The docu-series details the highs and lows of the women's careers, including the uncomfortable moment when Oprah Winfrey asked the 20-year-old Crawford to stand up so the audience could look at her body.

Gerber, who bears a striking resemblance to her mother, noted that watching the show opened her eyes to all the hardships Crawford faced to provide the life she provided for her family.

“What she created in her career, there wasn't really a footstep for someone to follow,” the young model told the outlet. “And I think it's great that she always had that ambition, and she did things where people told her, ‘This will ruin your career.’ Don't do that. And she trusted her instincts.”

Gerber praised her mother for being “smart, focused, and ambitious” from a “very young age” despite “coming from a completely different background” than she actually was.

While Gerber grew up in Malibu, California with pictures of her famous Playboy mother on her walls, Crawford was raised by “poor” divorced parents and was bullied as a teenager.

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However, Gerber noted that she is very aware of her privilege and how her status as “Nepo Baby” has fueled her modeling career.

“I don't think this topic is going to go away, so obviously I've reached a point of acceptance,” she said of the controversial term.

“I personally am very aware of all the wonderful things she has done for me, and I would never say anything negative about her, because that is my truth about it.”

Because her parents understand the industry, she feels lucky to be able to turn to them for guidance. (Her father is former model and Casamigos founder Rande Gerber.)

“I can actually ask my father [for] “Advice on professional matters, work matters,” she explained.

“It's very rare to have parents who are in the same field or profession as you, and whose advice you can actually trust.”

Although she may have had help getting her foot in the door, Kaia has worked her way up over the years, becoming one of the most sought-after models in the industry.

Like her mother, Kaia's runway is one of the best in the business, and her impressive resume includes the likes of Valentino, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Alexander Wang, Coach, Prada, Chanel, Fendi, Miu Miu, Givenchy and more.