Kaia Gerber on ‘Palm Royale,’ ‘Falling in Love’ With Comedy and What She Learned From Legendary Costars Carol Burnett and Kristen Wiig (2024)

Kaia Gerber was head over heels for humor when she was first approached to audition for “Palm Royale.”

“I was in the middle of doing ‘Bottoms,’ and I was falling in love with comedy because I had never really done it before,” the model and actress told WWD.

“In ‘Bottoms,’ I got to work with Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott, who are two incredible young comedians and actors, and I learned so much. Then, when I found out I’d be working with people who I grew up watching like Carol Burnett, Kristen Wiig and Allison Janney, I was like, ‘This is the best education a girl could ever ask for.'”

Set in 1960s Palm Beach, the new Apple TV+ series examines wealth, status and class among an uppercrust clique of socialites. Starring Wiig, Burnett, Janney and Laura Dern, “Palm Royale” is based on Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 novel, “Mr. and Mrs. American Pie.”

Gerber’s Mitzi is a ditzy manicurist who pursues a modeling career, bonding with her client Maxine (Wiig) as she navigates the politics of Palm Beach society.

“I love the opportunity to be transported in time,” Gerber said of the period comedy-drama. “The fashion and hair and makeup, we went from these very structured, modest clothes of the 50s to this bright and colorful, more expressive way of dressing. Along with that, the 60s were such a pivotal time in history for people speaking up politically and fighting for peace and justice.”

With the historic summer of 1969 as a backdrop, “Palm Royale” fixes its gaze on the moon landing, the rise of President Richard Nixon and the burgeoning movement of second wave feminism. Dern portrays Linda Shaw, a trust fund baby who re-invents herself as an activist and owner of a feminist bookstore called Our Bodies, Our Shelves.

“I love Laura’s character because she’s an amalgamation of all of these women that paved the way for us,” Gerber said. “Unfortunately, we’re still up against some of same the things they were fighting in the late 60s, but the reason that we have the strength to do that is because of the first women who were brave enough to make space for themselves.”

What certainly has changed, though, are many of the decade’s time-consuming beauty rituals. 1960s women, especially those of the Palm Beach elite, likely wouldn’t have left the house without a full face of makeup and perfectly-coiffed hair.

“Getting ready every day as Mitzi I was like, ‘This is so much dedication,’” Gerber explained. “Sleeping in hot rollers and these things that women definitely did every night I have so much respect for — I don’t think I’ve ever put that much effort into my appearance.”

Having legends like Burnett and Wiig as screen partners was something of a masterclass in comedy for Gerber, who was raised on “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Saturday Night Live.” In preparation for her role, she also familiarized herself with the genre’s wide-ranging toolbox of tricks: impressions, sketches and Charlie Chaplin’s classic slapstick comprised her curriculum.

“What I learned is, you have to believe what you’re saying for comedy to work, you really have to commit,” Gerber said. “Often the things we find the funniest aren’t supposed to be funny, or the character isn’t aware that it is funny.”

Now, the model and actress is gearing up for her next role in Jason Reitman’s “SNL 1975.” The forthcoming flick is a full-circle moment for Gerber: after sharing the screen with Wiig, she’ll reunite with her “Bottoms” costar, Sennott, in a biographical film about one of her favorite childhood shows.

Alongside cast members like Willem Dafoe and J.K. Simmons and Dylan O’Brien, Gerber will portray Jacqueline Carlin, the girlfriend and eventual wife of comedian Chevy Chase.

“I actually didn’t know that I was doing ‘SNL 1975’ until after ‘Palm Royale’ wrapped,” Gerber admitted. “But I must have been psychic or something because I interviewed Kristen prematurely, like, ‘How tired were you? How did you come up with this sketch? Was this character your idea or someone else’s?’ She’s just such a genius and created a sense of humor for a lot of young people. Obviously ‘SNL’ has changed a lot over the years, but when I ended up in this movie, I had all these great stories and felt like I already had some great information on ‘SNL.'”

New episodes of “Palm Royale” premiere Wednesdays through May 2 on Apple TV+.