REVIEW: Growing Up Supermodel follows children of celebrities trying to break the industry

When you think of the big model names today, who springs to mind? Kendall Jenner? Gigi Hadid? Well, these superstars all seem to have one thing in common: they all have famous parents.

The new Lifetime series, Growing Up Supermodel, follows young teens with famous last names, attempting to make it big in the cut-throat modelling industry. They may have the right connections, but this documentary series demonstrates how having celebrity relatives will only get you so far… In fact, it can even be a burden. As we gain access into the models’ personal and family lives, we learn the struggles of facing rejection, the pressures of living in their parents shadows and the precarious nature of sustaining a modelling career.

Ricky Schroder’s children, Cambrie and Faith Schroder, and boxer Oscar De La Hoya’s and Shanna Moakler daughter, Atiana De La Hoya, both appear on the show, as well as actress Kelly LeBrock and actor Steven Seagal’s daughter, Arissa LeBrok and supermodel Beverly Peele’s child Cairo.

We are introduced to these aspiring supermodels, as well as other cast members Jake Moritt and Janis Ostojic, as the camera follows them behind the scenes of photoshoots and into their family home. The young stars are also all introduced to one another and it is not long before both close friendships and arch enemies are formed.

It is interesting to see the extreme differences between the models of today and their parents, as the show delves into topics of Instagram culture and social media advertising. And these contrasts bring plenty of family drama as the models’ battle with their parents on how to succeed in today’s celebrity climate.

All of the teens starring in the series are surprisingly likeable. You might not expect models to be all that relatable but Arissa LeBrok, for instance, encourages body positivity as a plus size model and expresses her determination to be viewed as an individual rather than the daughter of her famous parents. Another touching story is that of Faith Schroder’s, who is the youngest of the group and is balancing the pressures of growing up with the struggle of her mum and dad’s recent divorce.

Make sure to catch Growing Up Supermodel tonight at 10pm on Lifetime.