Nothing captures attention quite like a young star stepping out into the city spotlight—and that’s exactly what happened when Kai Schreiber, daughter of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, was seen enjoying a relaxed day in New York City with a mystery companion. The 16-year-old was radiant as she strolled hand-in-hand through the bustling streets on Wednesday, following an intense and glamorous stretch of appearances at Paris Fashion Week. Dressed casually yet stylishly, Kai sported a black-and-white striped long-sleeve dress paired with classic black Converse sneakers and carried a spacious black handbag. Her blonde hair cascaded in loose waves, and she appeared fresh-faced with minimal makeup, radiating youthful charm.
Her companion kept it laid-back with a black t-shirt layered over a green long-sleeve shirt, paired with gray shorts, white sneakers, and a playful pink “I Heart NY” trucker cap. While the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear—whether romantic or simply friendly—the duo’s chemistry and ease with one another were evident as they enjoyed their time together.
Kai has certainly had an eventful year, making waves in the fashion world with her runway debut for Valentino in March. Since then, she has consistently turned heads by walking in numerous high-profile shows. Her busy schedule in September alone included stunning appearances at New York Fashion Week for brands like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Jason Wu, before jetting off to Milan to strut her stuff for Fendi, Max Mara, Moschino, and The Attico, among others. She capped off an impressive season by showcasing collections at Paris Fashion Week in October, walking for Mugler, Isabel Marant, and once again for Valentino.
Reflecting on her breakthrough season, Kai shared an inspiring message on Instagram: "What an incredible season. I am immensely and eternally grateful to everyone who helped make this beautiful journey possible for me. I had so much fun, and I love you all." Beyond her fashion achievements, she revealed in an interview with Interview magazine in June that she has long nurtured big ambitions. She spoke candidly about her dream of becoming a supermodel, tracing her passion back to childhood moments practicing her walk in the kitchen, videos of which her mom still has.
Kai also opened up about her experience with gender identity from a young age and how it has shaped her. She expressed admiration for trailblazing figures in the fashion community, including Alex Consani, Hunter Schafer, Hari Nef, Richie Shazam, and Colin Jones, celebrating the growing visibility and influence of transgender individuals in the industry. "I’m always going to look up to the older generation of transgender people, especially in fashion," she explained. "It’s fantastic that there’s a strong, supportive community of us in this world; it truly feels like a doll takeover."
As the youngest child of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, who were together for over a decade before parting ways in 2016, Kai also has an older brother, Sasha, 18, who recently began college life. Both Naomi and Liev have been publicly supportive of Kai’s journey, with Liev candidly sharing his thoughts with Variety. He described Kai’s boldness and authenticity, saying, "Kai was always true to who they are. But the most profound moment for us was when Kai asked us to switch pronouns. To me, it wasn’t a huge deal because Kai had been so feminine for a long time."
He went on to highlight her resilience and determination during her coming-out process, describing her as "a fighter" who proudly claims her identity. "Teenagers are challenging enough, and Kai is as fiery and outspoken as they come," he shared, underscoring the strength and spirit that have made her stand out both on and off the runway.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Kai’s public journey raises important questions about the role of the fashion industry in representing gender diversity. Is the spotlight on young transgender models a genuine celebration of inclusivity, or is there a risk of tokenism? What responsibilities do parents, celebrities, and the industry itself have in supporting these young individuals beyond their public image?
What’s your take? Do you think Kai’s rise reflects a meaningful shift in fashion’s approach to gender identity, or is it more complicated than it appears? Share your thoughts below—let’s get the conversation started!
