At just 16 years old, Kai Schreiber is already carving out her space in the world.
The daughter of actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, Kai is trans and unafraid to speak openly about her identity, her dreams, and her growing presence in the fashion industry.
In a candid new interview with Interview Magazine published June 11, Kai described herself as ‘basic, but in a chic way.’
‘As a young trans girl, I’m always going to look up to the older generation of transgender people, especially in fashion,’ she said, referencing trailblazing figures like Alex Consani, Hunter Schafer, Hari Nef, Dara, Richie Shazam, and Colin Jones.
‘It’s really a doll takeover,’ she added about the visibility and creativity trans people are bringing to the industry.
Kai is more than just a fan of fashion – she’s already stepping in front of the camera herself.
Earlier this year, she landed a spot in a Valentino campaign, a moment she now calls pivotal. ‘That job made me realize, “OK, this is what I want to do,”‘ she said. ‘I want to be a supermodel. Period.’
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She’s been preparing for this moment for years, even if it began casually in the family kitchen. ‘I’ve been practicing my walks in the kitchen for years; my mom can show you all the videos I forced her to film,’ Kai laughed.
Her journey with gender identity has shaped not just her personal life, but her aspirations: ‘I always wanted to grow up and be a beautiful, glamorous, influential woman, like Marilyn [Monroe].’
‘I love my low-rise jeans and black cardigan. That’s my go-to outfit.’
But beyond personal fashion, she sees style as a powerful form of individuality. ‘If you’re presenting yourself in a unique, cool way, people are immediately drawn in and want to know more. If every person was walking around in the same outfit, fashion wouldn’t be a thing.’
Kai’s parents have been unwavering in their support. Liev Schreiber, in a recent Variety profile, reflected on his daughter’s journey: ‘Kai was always who Kai is,’ he said, sharing that her request to change pronouns was a moment of clarity rather than surprise.
‘To be honest with you, it didn’t feel like that big of a deal to me only because Kai had been so feminine for so long.’
Kai opening up about her identity is a decisive moment for trans representation, especially at a time when transgender rights are increasingly under political attack.
Her visibility as a young, confident trans woman in the public eye helps show that trans youth deserve support, safety, and the freedom to dream big.
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, who were together for over a decade before separating in 2016, also share a 17-year-old son, Sasha.
Liev is now married to Taylor Schreiber, with whom he shares a 21-month-old daughter, Hazel Bee.
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