Presley Gerber, a model and the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, had a privileged upbringing in Malibu but faced ongoing personal and mental health struggles throughout his life. Born into a family known for its prominence in fashion and entertainment, Gerber was raised alongside his younger sister, Kaia, a successful model and actress. Their father co-founded the tequila brand Casamigos with actor George Clooney, and the family maintained a public image marked by warmth and affection.
Gerber entered the modeling industry at 15, signing with IMG and later appearing in campaigns for major brands, including Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as a 2018 Super Bowl commercial featuring his mother. Despite his success, he conveyed discomfort with the constant pressure to maintain a cheerful public persona. In a 2025 video, he described the expectation to "be on [his] A game all the time" and expressed a dislike for pretending to be happy.
His modeling career came with trade-offs. Gerber spoke about how the demanding schedule curtailed his ability to pursue personal interests like surfing, which he identified as vital to his well-being. He linked the reduced physical activity and lack of natural outlets to an increased reliance on medication and a decline in his quality of life.
Gerber's struggles with substance use began in adolescence. He reported seeing a psychiatrist as early as age 13 and started using Xanax at 16, initially finding relief but later recognizing the risks of dependence. By late 2018, when he was 19, he had been arrested for driving under the influence in Beverly Hills, ultimately pleading guilty to a misdemeanor. Over time, he became dependent on benzodiazepines such as Valium, describing the limitations of living with substance reliance in several candid social media videos starting in 2023.
In a series of videos titled "Monday," Gerber attempted to document his recovery journey, openly discussing addiction and mental health challenges. He acknowledged how addiction can cause others to perceive individuals as stuck at the age their substance use began. The series was intermittent, with a pause in mid-2025 as Gerber announced he was stepping back to focus on his mental health. In a deleted video from December 2025, he detailed troubling experiences with over-medication and withdrawal.
Kaia Gerber addressed her brother's struggles in Vogue's September 2025 issue, noting the family's historical privacy around such matters. She described Presley as a "teacher" who had chosen vulnerability in his public disclosures.
In March 2026, Gerber posted a final video showing his participation in an ibogaine treatment—an alternative therapy used for addiction—without speaking. He captioned the post reflecting on confronting his challenges and beginning to reconnect with himself, though the outcome remained uncertain. Presley Gerber’s story highlights the complexities of navigating fame, family expectations, and mental health in the public eye.