Kendall Jenner

In spite of growing up in the shadows of her infamous extended brood, reality television star Kendall Jenner managed to carve her own path and launch a promising career in the modeling world. Kendall Nicole Jenner was born on Nov. 3, 1995 in Los Angeles to Bruce Jenner, former Olympic champion, and Kris Jenner, ex-wife of the late Robert Kardashian, a lawyer who played a key role in the O.J. Simpson legal saga. Her middle name was, in fact, Kris Jenner's homage to her friendship with O.J.'s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, who had been famously murdered the year before. She had a younger sister, Kylie Jenner, who also grew up in the public eye as a member of the infamous family on their hit reality show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (E!, 2007- ). The series followed the wild and crazy antics of Jenner's three older half-sisters, Kim, Kourtney and Khloé, and half-brother, Robert Kardashian, Jr. She also appeared on the show's spin-offs, including "Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami" (E!, 2009- ) and "Khloé & Lamar" (E!, 2011). In spite of her notorious family's public arguments and relationship dramas, Jenner appeared on the show to lead a seemingly normal teenager's life, which included curfews, allowances, and bickering with her over-protective father. She attended Sierra Canyon School, a private school in Chatsworth, CA where she was a member of the cheerleading squad. During the show's earlier seasons, Jenner mostly shied away from the cameras; however, her model-like features and aspirations hinted that she was also getting primed for family fame. The show began devoting more screen time to Jenner going on casting calls with her manager/mother. At 14, Jenner appeared in a print ad campaign for the clothing chain, Forever 21, where she was photographed in vintage-inspired dresses. The ad campaign not only launched Jenner's modeling career, but it also gave her a bigger role on their reality show after her older siblings began starring in their own spin-off series. In 2011, rumors circulated that the then-15-year-old was on birth control pills - all of which created buzz for the show, and resulted in one dramatic episode that captured father Bruce in shock upon the realization that his daughter was growing up. That same year, Jenner finally had her turn in the TV spotlight when she starred on a special episode of the flagship program titled "Kendall's Sweet 16," which showed her family trying to throw her an over-the-top party at the Bahamas. The episode eventually showed her mother relenting to the teen's wishes and hosting the bash instead at a West Hollywood hotel. The episode also revealed the teen's philanthropic side when she asked her guests that in lieu of gifts, that they donate toys to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. Jenner kept up her modeling appearances, including making her runway debut at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City for the Sherri Hill dress line. As the series progressed, it began focusing on the growing media fascination with Jenner and her younger sister, Kylie, which triggered rumors that the teen starlets might be getting their own reality show as well. Although that did not come to pass, Kendall and Kylie continued to take a larger role in the course of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," particularly during the period where their father transitioned into becoming Caitlyn Jenner. She also branched into acting with one-off guest roles in police drama "Hawaii Five-0" (CBS 2010- ) and "The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange" (Cartoon Network 2012-14). As her modeling career took off, Jenner also became a fixture at the Teen Choice awards, winning the Choice Model award in both 2015 and 2016, along with Choice Female Hottie in the latter year.

By Candy Cuenco