Kaia Gerber praised her brother Presley Gerber’s transparency about his addiction battle and mental health struggles one month before his death.
While chatting with Vogue for her September cover story, published last month, the model labeled her sibling the “greatest teacher” for showing her “there’s only so much you can hide from the world.”
Presley, notably, opened up in 2024 about his dependency on prescription medication and revealed he had suffered a near-fatal fentanyl overdose that left him in a coma.
He subsequently made headlines for announcing his sobriety from alcohol, naming the depressants he was taking for panic attacks and sharing updates on his journey with “Mental Health Mondays.”
In March, he told his followers he was facing what he “had been running from” at a wellness clinic in Mexico, with Kaia commenting at the time that she was “so damn proud.”
The 25-year-old pointed out in her August interview that Presley’s transparency differed from their parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, who “were very, very private and didn’t share anything … for most of [their] lives.”
The actress noted that “trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.”
Kaia, additionally, reflected on the effect Presley’s ups and downs had on their family dynamic.
“When something like that happens … it kind of levels everyone,” she explained. “I think that’s also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help.”
The “Shards” star noted, “It felt like too much to have two children who were needing.”
When news broke Sunday that Presley died in an undisclosed rehab facility, Kaia and her parents released a joint statement requesting “privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
Kaia, Crawford, 60, and Rande, 64, have yet to speak out further on the tragedy.
Presley’s cause of death is not yet known as an autopsy has yet to be completed.
His public struggles go back nearly a decade as he was arrested at age 19 for DUI in California, a misdemeanor charge he pleaded no contest to the following year.
Presley wrote in March that he had “started finding [his] way back to [him]self,” adding via Instagram, “We shall see. Praying it’s the last time I have to come back [to treatment]. Next time I’d like to choose.”
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Read the full article here
