Kaia Gerber movies include Sister Cities (2016), Babylon (2022), Bottoms (2023), Saturday Night (2024), and Shell (2025). She has also appeared in television series like American Horror Stories, Palm Royale, and The Shards. While primarily known as a fashion model, Gerber has steadily built a diverse acting portfolio.
From Runway to Hollywood
Kaia Jordan Gerber was born on September 3, 2001, in Los Angeles, California . She is the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. Before acting, Gerber established herself as a top fashion model, signing with IMG Models in 2015 and making her runway debut for Calvin Klein in 2017 .
Her transition into acting began modestly, with supporting roles that allowed her to develop craft away from the intense scrutiny of leading parts. This mirrors the career path of other models-turned-actresses who prioritized steady growth over immediate stardom.Quick Bio: Kaia Gerber
Film Roles
Sister Cities (2016)
Gerber made her acting debut in the Lifetime television film Sister Cities, playing young Carolina . The drama follows four estranged sisters who reunite after their mother’s death . At just 14 years old, Gerber appeared alongside established actors including Jacki Weaver, Stana Katic, and Michelle Trachtenberg .
She described the experience warmly at the film’s premiere, saying: “This was an incredible experience. I could never imagine something better as my first role” .
Babylon (2022)
In Damien Chazelle’s period epic Babylon, Gerber played a Starlet navigating 1920s Hollywood during cinema’s transition from silent films to talkies . The film featured a large ensemble cast and showcased the excess and chaos of Hollywood’s golden era. Her role, while small, placed her within a prestigious production that earned critical attention.
Bottoms (2023)
Gerber appeared as Brittany, a popular cheerleader, in the teen comedy Bottoms . Directed by Emma Seligman, the film follows two unpopular high school students who start a fight club to impress cheerleaders . The comedy premiered at SXSW in March 2023 and received a nomination for Best Comedy at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards . This role demonstrated Gerber’s willingness to embrace comedic and satirical material.
Saturday Night (2024)
In Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night, Gerber portrayed Jacqueline Carlin, the then-wife of Chevy Chase . The film chronicles the chaotic 90 minutes before the first episode of Saturday Night Live aired in 1975. The ensemble cast included Dylan O’Brien, Finn Wolfhard, and Gabriel LaBelle . The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in October 2024 .
Shell (2025)
Gerber starred as Chloe Benson, a YouTube influencer, in the psychological thriller Shell . Directed by Max Minghella, the film features Elisabeth Moss as a middle-aged actress who becomes obsessed with a youth-restoring beauty clinic run by Kate Hudson’s character . Roger Ebert’s review noted the film blends body horror with feminist critique . Shell premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival .
Outcome (2026)
In the Apple TV dark comedy Outcome, Gerber plays Oksana, described as Buddy’s pregnant partner . The film premiered on April 10, 2026 . Her role is a brief but memorable appearance within an ensemble full of cameos .
Mother Mary (2026)
Gerber appears as Nikki in the A24 film Mother Mary, directed by David Lowery . The film stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel and was released in April 2026 . This project places her within the prestigious A24 studio ecosystem, known for director-driven cinema.
Television Work
American Horror Story Franchise (2021)
Gerber made her television debut in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Stories, playing Ruby McDaniel, a ghost in the episode “Rubber (Wo)man” . She also appeared in American Horror Story: Double Feature as Kendall Carr, a college student caught in the season’s alien storyline . These roles introduced her to horror audiences and connected her with Murphy’s prolific production network.
Palm Royale (2024-2026)
In the Apple TV comedy-drama Palm Royale, Gerber plays Mitzi, an aspiring model and friend to Kristen Wiig’s character Maxine Simmons . Set in 1969 Palm Beach, the series follows Maxine’s attempts to penetrate exclusive high society . Gerber stars alongside Laura Dern, Carol Burnett, and Allison Janney . The show received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series .
Gerber spoke about her character’s evolution in a recent interview, noting: “It was so fun to be able to be wearing these expensive gowns and jewellery… how that really sort of parallels Mitzi’s inner journey as well” .
Overcompensating (2025)
Gerber appeared as Esther in Benito Skinner’s comedy series Overcompensating for Prime Video . The college-set ensemble features Connie Britton and Kyle MacLachlan . Her three-episode arc contributed to the show’s comedic texture.
The Shards (2026)
Gerber stars as Susan Reynolds, the most popular girl in school, in Ryan Murphy’s FX adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel The Shards . Set in 1980s Los Angeles, the psychological thriller follows wealthy high school students whose lives unravel when a serial killer targets their classmates . Gerber revealed that Brooke Shields and 1980s icons inspired her character’s glamorous wardrobe . The series represents her most prominent television role to date.
Additional Appearances
Beyond scripted roles, Gerber has made notable unscripted appearances. She served as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race . She also made an uncredited cameo on Saturday Night Live, the show her 2024 film dramatized . These appearances reflect her integration into mainstream entertainment culture beyond fashion.
Career Trajectory
Gerber’s filmography remains modest in scale compared to her modeling career. Most roles are supporting parts within ensembles, a deliberate approach that allows her to develop without the pressure of carrying major productions. Her choices skew toward prestige projects and director-driven cinema, from Damien Chazelle’s Babylon to A24’s Mother Mary.
This strategy contrasts with some models-turned-actors who pursue leading roles immediately. Gerber’s path echoes that of actors who build credibility through association with respected filmmakers and productions before seeking larger parts. Her Emmy-nominated work on Palm Royale and her starring role in The Shards suggest this patient approach is yielding results.
Gerber has spoken candidly about the challenges of transitioning between modeling and acting. She told Vogue about the difficulty of leaving a stage performance about suicidal thoughts only to face fans asking her to sign photographs from her teenage modeling days: “It’s like, I want to bleed out for people, and then I’m sort of hit in the face with this other thing” . This honesty reflects her serious engagement with acting as a craft rather than mere celebrity extension.
With completed projects including The Shards and Mother Mary, Gerber continues expanding her screen presence. Her trajectory suggests a long-term commitment to acting, supported by strategic role choices and collaborations with established directors and production companies.Q: What was Kaia Gerber’s first acting role?
A: Kaia Gerber made her acting debut in the 2016 Lifetime television film Sister Cities, playing the role of young Carolina. The drama follows four estranged sisters who reunite after their mother’s death, and Gerber appeared alongside established actors including Jacki Weaver and Stana Katic.
Q: Which films has Kaia Gerber appeared in?
A: Gerber’s film credits include Sister Cities (2016), Babylon (2022), Bottoms (2023), Saturday Night (2024), and Shell (2025). She also has completed roles in Outcome and Mother Mary, both slated for 2026.
Q: What television series has Kaia Gerber starred in?
A: Gerber appeared in American Horror Stories and American Horror Story: Double Feature in 2021. She had a recurring role as Mitzi in Apple TV+’s Palm Royale across 20 episodes in 2024. In 2026, she leads the cast of Ryan Murphy’s The Shards as Susan Reynolds.
Q: What awards has Kaia Gerber won for her work?
A: Gerber won Model of the Year at the 2018 Fashion Awards and received Breakthrough Model of the Year from The Daily Front Row in 2016. Her film Bottoms received a nomination for Best Comedy at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards.
Q: What is Kaia Gerber’s role in The Shards?
A: In The Shards, Gerber plays Susan Reynolds, described as the most popular girl in school within an elite 1980s Los Angeles social circle. The FX series, based on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, premiered in August 2026 and represents her most prominent lead role to date.
