Naomi Watts Celebrates Kai Schreiber’s Fashion Award

Naomi Watts joined her daughter Kai Schreiber for a milestone night in New York, where the 17-year-old received Breakthrough Model of the Year at the 2026 Fashion Media Awards. The pair appeared together at the Rainbow Room on Friday, September 11, as Kai accepted one of the evening’s emerging-talent honors.

Stephen Gan, the editor in chief of V Magazine, presented the award. During her speech, Kai described the moment as surreal and thanked the women who had opened doors before her. She also identified herself as the first transgender girl to receive the honor.

Kai Schreiber credits family and fashion mentors

Kai used the stage to recognize the support surrounding her early modeling career. She thanked Watts and her father, actor Liev Schreiber, for helping her pursue work that had long interested her. Both parents attended the event, with Watts posing beside her daughter on the red carpet.

She also acknowledged the fashion professionals who welcomed her into the industry. Her comments emphasized that the award represented more than a single appearance: it marked the beginning of a career she is still learning to navigate, shaped by mentors and by models whose visibility made her own path easier.

The Daily Front Row’s official recap paired Kai with Gan and highlighted her tribute to those predecessors. Separate coverage of the ceremony reported that she thanked Maison Valentino for introducing her to the fashion community and continuing to support her work.

A family moment at the Fashion Media Awards

The 13th annual ceremony brought more than 300 guests to the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center and was hosted by comedian Matteo Lane. The program honored established industry figures as well as newer voices, giving Kai’s breakthrough prize a place within a wider celebration of fashion media and creative work.

For Watts, the evening was a visible show of support rather than a shared professional project. She kept the focus on Kai’s achievement, while the young model used the attention to thank both her family and the community she is entering.

Kai’s award arrives early in her career, so its longer-term significance will depend on the work that follows. For one night, however, the milestone was clear: she accepted industry recognition in her own name, with both parents present to celebrate it.