A powerful sign for queer representation in the fashion world: 17-year-old trans model Kai Schreiber was honored on Friday at the prestigious Fashion Media Awards at New York’s Rockefeller Center as “Breakthrough Model of the Year.” This made Schreiber the first openly trans woman to receive this coveted rising-star prize. The award, this year, marked the 13th edition of the prize handed out by the industry magazine The Daily Front Row.
In a moving acceptance speech, Schreiber—the daughter of British-Australian actress Naomi Watts and American actor Liev Schreiber—highlighted not only the historical significance of the moment for trans visibility in fashion but also offered emotional thanks to her personal circle. She was accompanied to the gala by her parents, who had separated in 2016. Kai explicitly thanked them for their unconditional love and support. “I am so lucky to have your support,” the 17-year-old said of her parents. She also spoke about her excitement for the industry, where she has found a supportive “fashion family.” Among the star-studded guests were renowned icons from the worlds of fashion and entertainment, such as Iman, Law Roach, Zac Posen, Isaac Mizrahi, and Evan Rachel Wood.
Kai Schreiber, who is signed with the prestigious agency IMG Models, had made her debut at Paris Fashion Week last year and has since been regularly working for top fashion houses.
Hate on Social Media
In tabloid media and on social media, she encounters a great deal of hostility: because of her famous lineage, she is repeatedly branded a “nepo baby,” including in coverage of her award win in the popular British tabloid Daily Mail. On social media, transphobic users speculate that Hollywood is trying to normalize and promote gender-affirming surgeries for teenagers, as one post on Elon Musk’s X platform claims.
Last year, Liev Schreiber spoke at length about his daughter in an interview. He explained that Kai never had a classic coming-out moment: “Kai has always been Kai,” the Ray Donovan star said. “But I think the most meaningful moment was when she asked us to change her pronouns. To be honest, it didn’t feel like a big deal to me because Kai has always been so feminine.”
