Caitlyn Jenner might have changed physically since her transition into a woman, but as far asher daughter Kendall Jenner isconcerned, she's still her dad.
"My dad is my dad, but he's notthere physically anymore," the model said in an interview with WWD onFriday. "She lets me call her Dad – that's the last little piece of dadI've got."
Kendall Jenner Photo: Getty Images
The model, who was recently named on Forbes magazine's list of highest-paid models(she reportedly makes more than $4 million a year), admitted that it hasn'talways been easy to be in the spotlight this year as her father, formerOlympian Bruce Jenner, transitioned into Caitlyn.
"It would probably be differentfor someone who didn't have to live it through the media," she said."But it's been a ride, for sure. It’s an adjustment. It’s something youhave to get used to. But I’ve known since I was a kid. He never confirmed it tome, but I’ve known for a very long time. It’s the same person. My dad says itherself sometimes, it’s kind of like mourning the loss of someone, because itis."
The Estee Lauder model said that partof the way she copes with the intense focus on her life is by not looking atwhat people are saying about her on social media.
"I don't pay attention to it – Idon't read it," the 19-year-old said. "I don't need it to affect mylife. So I'd rather just not look at anything. You can get a million commentsabout how beautiful you look and how awesome you are, but the one comment thatsays they hate you and you're ugly is the one that sticks."
Kendall, who grew up on TV on herfamily's reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, acknowledged that she'slearned what not to do by watching her older sisters, Kourtney, Kim and KhloeKardashian.
"My sisters raised me along withmy parents, and Kylie and I got tolearn from their mistakes, for sure," she said. "We'd watch them tolearn about it before we actually got on the ride. My little sister and I makeour mistakes, but at least we're aware of it, what you have to be carefulof."
But there's one area where she's notfollowing in her big sisters' footsteps. Unlike sister Kim, who has spoken out against tattoos or body modification, Kendall recently gother nipple pierced.
The piercing was visible under abody-hugging, white Calvin Klein Collection gown she wore at the Harper'sBazaar Icons party during New York Fashion Week on Wednesday.
Kendall Jenner Photo: Getty Images
She confirmed the piercing to the New York Post's Page Six."I was going through a period in my life, having a rough time, being arebel and was like, 'Let's just do it.' "
Kendall said she was "so terrified" to get thepiercing.
"I'm laying on the bed like, 'Whyam I doing this,' " she said. "Honestly, it hurt, but wasn't as bad as everyonemade it seem and maybe because everyone hyped it up and I thought it would bereally, really bad. Then it wasn’t as bad as I expected."
Kendall's little sister, Kylie, also hinted athaving her own nipple piercings in April.
