Kaia Gerber turns to acting alongside modelling career with new movie 'Bottoms' - and these stars did the same

A small part in the movie Babylon, a live read of The Great Gatsby and her debut in the American Horror Story in 2011 all demonstrate Kaia Gerber's acting ambitions.

And now the supermodel, daughter of legendary model Cindy Crawford, is to appear in a queer comedy called 'Bottoms'.

The upcoming movie is being billed as a 'lesbian fight club'. It stars Kaia (21), as well as actress and comedian Rachel Sennot (27).

She has addressed 'nepo' baby labels: "My mom always joked: 'If I could call and book a Chanel campaign, it would be for me and not you.' But I also have met amazing people through my mom whom I now get to work with."

Kaia is currently engaged in a romance with Hollywood leading light Austin Butler.

She insisted that things are very different when it comes to her acting career, which includes the upcoming Apple TV+ series Mrs. American Pie featuring Carol Burnett and the movie Bottoms.

"With acting, it’s so different. No artist is going to sacrifice their vision for someone’s kid. That just isn’t how art is made, and what I’m interested in is art," Kaia explained.

"Also, no one wants to work with someone who’s annoying, and not easy to work with, and not kind. Yes, nepotism is prevalent, but I think if it actually was what people make it out to be, we’d see even more of it," she added.

Bottoms is expected to premiere at South By Southwest in March 2023 and reunites Shiva Baby director Emma Seligman with her leading lady Rachel Sennott.

There is a long tradition of models who have turned to acting, which makes a lot of sense. If you're a model then the camera certainly loves you and this is exactly what film executives are looking for to draw in an audience.

The pressure can be immense though, as well. Being photogenic is one thing, having the ability to act is quite another.

Here are a few famous names who have successfully made the transition from modelling to acting:

Charlize Theron

At the age of just 16 Charlize won a modelling contest in Italy. This led to her and mum, Gerda, relocating to Milan. Charlize graced the catwalks of Europe for a year before growing tired of the work.

It was a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, USA, in 1994 that finally paid off for the beautiful blonde, and she was discovered by talent agent John Crosby. She was actually in the process of arguing with a bank teller when the agent discovered her.

Theron entered an altercation with a bank teller who had refused to cash one of her last checks due to an issue with her citizenship. However, the serendipity of events meant the customer stood behind her in the line would then eliminate all her money problems. Talent agent John Crosby was that customer who stood witnessing the drama. To calm Theron down and find a solution, he cashed her check himself before handing over his business card.

Her big break came in 1997 playing Keanu Reeves's wife in the hit film The Devil's Advocate.

Uma Thurman

Uma was just 15-years-old when she signed her first modelling contract with Click Model agency. The star quickly grew and in the mid-1980s she graced the covers of high-end fashion magazines Glamour and British Vogue.

It was in 1988 that the model took a leap into acting, making four films in just one year. Now a decorated actress, we'll always love her as pouting gangster's moll Mia Wallace, in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton was first approached by a model scout while studying at the University of Iowa. After winning the 'Fresh Faces of Iowa' modelling contest, he dropped out of college and went to New York to battle it out in the International Modelling and Talent Association competition, only to lose out to hunky Josh Duhamel.

Despite losing, he was soon snapped up by Next modelling agency, which led to him appearing in Calvin Klein adverts and modelling on runways across the world.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1997 to try his hand at acting, and after just his first audition, he was cast as Michael Kelso in That '70s Show. And thus began his successful acting career.