These Five Young Adults May Have Famous Parents, but Are Forging Their Own Way

Home , Casper Van Dien, Catherine Oxenberg

Milo Gibson

Grace Van Dien

India Oxenberg Ben Hogestyn Delilah Hamlin The Next Generation These five young adults may have famous parents, but are forging their own way.

Fall 2015 | 47 Grace Van Dien Delilah Hamlin By Melonie Magruder | Photography by Roxanne Mc Cann By Melonie Magruder | Photography by Roxanne Mc Cann

aroline Dorothy Grace Van Dien—Grace profession- Grace said. “He’s an actor, so he really understands how to hen Delilah Belle Hamlin was still a young teen- of her daughter’s modeling career, feeling it was more ally, and just “Gracie” to her friends and family— talk to an actor. He’s been in it for so long; he just knew the ager, she told her parents, actors Lisa Rinna and important to focus on school. Cthought she’d take a gap year after graduating from Malibu right things to say at the right moment.” WHarry Hamlin, that she wanted to be a model. They were “But she’s ready now,” Lisa said. “I was blown away High School in 2014. She had a lot to think about. She had The professional admiration was mutual. supportive—as long as she waited until she was at least by her beauty and confidence in her first photo shoot. grown up on film sets—her parents Casper Van Dien and “Working with Gracie and her sisters was a blast,” 17 years old before she started pursuing a career profes- When you wait for the right time, it can all open up. stepmother Catherine Casper said. “They were the sionally. She’s like a rosebud now.” Oxenberg are successful best part of the film. And even “I was a little confused Delilah is aware of the actors and filmed a reality with no real experience, Gra- when Mom and Dad said pitfalls of the business, TV show based on their cie was an absolute pro. She they wanted me to wait to particularly when it comes family, “I Married a Prin- didn’t drop lines once.” do this,” Delilah said. “But to the impact advertis- cess,” alongside her step- Casper described one dif- maybe it’s that they were ing has on young women’s sister India Oxenberg, ficult scene that had to be shot concerned that the indus- body image. that made being in front six times for reasons as varied try is not really respected. “Everyone has differ- of a camera as natural to as an uncooperative smoke They wanted to protect ent body types and that’s her as eating breakfast. machine to a curious castle me.” OK,” she said. “The main But the blonde teen proprietor who wandered into Well, that horse is now body type [seen in adver- with the luminous aqua- the shot. out of the barn. Delilah tising] is not the only one marine eyes had always “Gracie didn’t lose track celebrated her 17th birth- out there. I have recently thought she would be a once,” he said. “She was always day in June, and after her seen some campaigns writer. on top of her character. It was first photo shoot, photog- featuring models with a “I’m a big fan of those a great educational experience rapher Roxanne McCann thicker build and I think dystopian young adult for her.” said, “the camera loves that’s great! I think many novels like ‘Divergence,’” The horizon has broad- her.” different body types should Grace said. ened considerably for Grace It’s not like Delilah be advertised, as long as One day, her father now. When asked where she doesn’t have options. She they are healthy.” suggested she play the saw her career going, she had already appeared with Though proud of her lead in a retelling of the surprisingly talked about her parents on a real- debut, it’s not like Lisa old fairy tale “Sleeping television. ity television series that and Harry are pushing the Beauty” that he was di- “I want to do movies, but profiled their family and, fledgling out of the nest. recting. (There have been TV has gotten so interesting,” according to her mother, “It’s bittersweet,” Lisa at least four iterations she said. “I just saw this show she grew up doing musi- admitted. “Our job is just of the Grimm brothers’ called ‘Z Nation’ on Syfy that’s cal theater. (Delilah has to prepare them to fly. story in the past decade, like ‘The Walking Dead.’ It’s a been described as having We’re lucky enough to be including “Maleficent” in zombie apocalypse thing but a “power house voice” in their parents, but they’re 2014 starring Angelina I loved the character develop- performance reviews at not ours. We only get to Jolie.) ment. They really draw you in her private girls’ school.) borrow them for a while. A family venture that also starred her stepmother and and you can create something. It’s totally crazy.” Even with modeling aspirations, Delilah is not box- I see Delilah doing a lot that she doesn’t even know she two of her siblings, this “Sleeping Beauty” featured mas- She takes her craft very seriously. She has studied ing herself into a future. She wants to attend college can do.” sive CGI-generated effects and sinister castles (the film at Paul Kampf Studios and with Douglas Kaback at the after she graduates high school in 2017, but doesn’t Delilah’s in no hurry. With a preternatural patience, was shot in Bulgaria—“It was very dark,” Grace said). And Edgemar Center for the Arts. She doesn’t give herself a lot know if she wants to “stay in California.” She might she’ll take life as it comes. something clicked for her. of spare time for the typical surfing, shopping and partying study psychology, though she doesn’t necessarily want “I’m just going to wait and see what the world “Working with my dad was the best experience,” life of a summer-bound Malibu teenager. to practice. Delilah just “likes to study,” she said. brings,” Delilah said. “I usually will spend time looking up auditions of ac- How much growing up in a household with celebrity tors I like and study their technique,” she said. parents affected her career choices is open to specula- “” Even with the bleak odds of success facing any young ac- tion. “” tor, Grace said her parents support her venture into “the biz.” “I never really thought about my parents’ celeb- “I usually will spend time looking up “I think it’s a natural for her,” Casper said. “I would rity,” Delilah said. “It’s never like it was an overwhelm- “I’m just going to auditions of actors I like and study like to see her really go places, but it’s her journey, her ing thing. They were just always there. But they never path. You gotta let your kids do their own thing and hope pushed me in any particular direction.” wait and see what the their technique.” that you prepared them right.” Lisa is happy with their call on delaying the start world brings.”

en Hogestyn has experienced more than his share of He likes acting and being part of a production, but soon ind the things that you love in the world, and do Bperforming success, following in the footsteps of his found the pull of leather craft deeply satisfying, relishing “Fthem.” It is with this sage and self-taught advice “I am really moved by making the father Drake Hogestyn, a longtime star of daytime soap the creative process—from design to manufacture—and that India Oxenberg, daughter of Catherine Oxenberg and world a better place, and I believe it operas. Ben broke some ground in his own share of soaps, the multitude of manufacturing options presented in stepdaughter of Casper Van Dien (and stepsister to Grace including a stint on “General Hospital,” where he played building bespoke handbags. Van Dien), is changing the future one child at a time. all starts with education ... ” the first gay, male, core character in soap opera history. “I only do custom [items],” Ben said. “So that means Growing up in Malibu and Topanga’s west side, India But he became acutely aware of the ephemeral nature I can negotiate only the best materials, tracking the best spent her childhood on set with her parents. of the acting business and began to look for something to sourcing and working to find the best supply chains.” “When I was five, I thought my mom lived in a trailer,” “” do when not on set. It also means operating India said with a laugh. system that uses early “When there’s downtime, in a way that is environmen- Traveling to myriad exposure to cultures and you look to fill it,” Ben said. tally and morally account- countries and locations, languages to help children “As an artist, you have a need able. All of the animal hides she worked and lived develop and learn while to create, even if it’s during he uses—from cattle to with a range of extraor- raising them as citizens the hiatus. For me, it was ostrich to alligator—are by- dinary artists and actors. of the world. The process painting and sculpting and products of the food industry. “I got to see my builds a rich structure of welding.” And then he got into They are hides that would parents doing what they thinking that will accom- leather. normally just be discarded. love. Acting is a real job pany children throughout For Ben, that means cre- “You gotta have proper for people who want to their lives. The school is ating custom-designed, hand- respect for your materials,” create extraordinary open and accepting applica- sewn handbags and personal Ben said. “I wouldn’t want to things. I saw my parents tions ([email protected]). items that are finished with be a part of an industry that really push themselves “I am really moved by beeswax-coated linen thread exploits kids in Bangladesh to be their best,” she making the world a better before dyeing, finishing and just so someone could wear said. place, and I believe it all being heat treated to a sleek, something nice. All my bags India also has royal starts with education and utilitarian piece of crafts- are made by me, in the com- claim to fame, as her having a vision for the fu- manship art. He uses the munity where I grew up. My grandmother is the cur- ture of humanity,” she said. same tanneries as Hermès, stuff comes honestly.” rent Her Royal Highness In addition to pursuing the legendary Parisian pur- It has taken Ben seven Princess Elizabeth of nideling, India is currently veyor of leather goods. years to get to his current sta- Yugoslavia. responsible for the Rainbow He designs and creates tus, wherein he takes clients “[When visiting her] team in Los Angeles, with Photogra p hed at G eoffrey’s Malibu individual bags at his studio by word of mouth. Typically, I felt like I was in the hopes of opening Rainbow in his hometown of Malibu, he meets with new custom- history books some- schools throughout all of where he attended Webster ers to discuss what they times,” India said, and California in the future. Her Elementary School and envision, then creates the cites her grandmother love for people doesn’t stop Malibu High School. When piece from scratch, tailored as a huge influence as there. Ben was in high school, he ex- to clients’ personal tastes and well. “She’s nothing like “One of my other pas- celled in athletics and played quirks. Each bag is uniquely you would expect, totally sions is bringing together in a band. Then he launched designed and rendered. down to earth and really young entrepreneurs and his soap career, which led to “I remember back when grounded.” And she’s sharing [their] projects. I other television roles. I first started playing around with leather and brought very much a people’s princess, India said. “She lives in love seeing people do what they love, and having their His parents were supportive, as well as realistic. my first keychain to show off,” Ben said. “My parents and an apartment in the middle of town, goes to the farmers careers be what they love,” she enthused. “There were never any illusions about what show business sisters praised it, but they looked sort of confused. Now market and rides the bus. And she’s hysterical!” At the end of the day, she has one primary ambition: could or would give me,” Ben said ruefully. they get it.” Despite, and perhaps because of, such an incredibly to bring out the best in the world. Ultimately, Ben wants to create a showroom for his well-traveled and eye-opening childhood, India began to “I have had certain exposure in my life, and I’ve work, and then branch off into new directions. He is work- look outside her parents’ world for a vision of her own. done some really cool things, especially with my fam- “” ing with a well-known Malibu artist on a collaborative When she discovered Rainbow Multicultural Educa- ily and the background that I come from,” she noted. “I piece, featuring custom-painted designs on his leather. tion, India knew she had found her calling. want to be able to use [it] to promote something that I “I find myself going to sleep “I love being in front of a camera,” Ben said, “but now “From the very first time I heard about it, I felt a really think is good. I want to have more schools, meet and waking up thinking about I find myself going to sleep and waking up thinking about warm and excited feeling of hope for the future,” she more people, move things in the world. I want to bring new designs. This type of artwork is limitless. I learn recalled. together more young people that are doing great things, new designs.” something new every day.” Rainbow Multicultural Education is an educational and showcase that.”

50 | malibu Times magazine | #malibutimesmag Fall 2015 | 51 MILO GIBSON By Laurie Hartt | Photography by Roxanne Mc Cann

ilo Gibson, child of longtime Malibu resident Mel a short film directed by Leslie Miller about two brothers Gibson, is making his own name in the world, one who fall in love with the same girl. Madventure at time. “We beat the crap out of each other with choreo- Growing up in Malibu’s Serra Retreat, Milo lived the graphed fight scenes,” Milo grinned. “It was a blast and a quintessential California childhood. great experience.” “It was full of excite- He is actively prepar- ment hanging out on the ing for his next role. beach with a big family,” “I’m currently work- he recalled. “Malibu is a ing on a character for a small town so I grew up feature film that seems with people that I’m still pretty interesting,” Milo friends with today.” said. “It is a dark film that Asked to choose his shows no mercy—it’s my favorite memory, “That’s kind of story. The charac- a hard question,” he said ter is a very complicated with a laugh. “There are so person with many broken many!” bridges to cross. It’s going Nevertheless, a few to be a challenge, that’s came to mind: “The day for sure.” Skylar Peak taught me He hopes to continue how to surf at Makos his acting career for the ... paintballing in Serra foreseeable future, cur- Retreat in the woods ... rently studying at Ruskin eating John’s Garden for Group Theatre in Santa the first time. And Steve, Monica and auditioning who worked there always for roles. Despite the joy saying ‘be good out there!’” and passion he finds in One of the biggest acting, Milo does point out advantages of growing up a few challenges. with such a famous father, “I’m going into the Milo noted, was the ability same profession as my to travel often and experi- father and they can be ence different cultures. some big shoes to fill,” he “I went to Rome when said. “I will also be under I was 12, lived there for a close microscope for a year and went to an following in his footsteps. international school,” he There’s also the aspect recalled. “I was thrown of no privacy. And people into a different world and fell in love with the language, like to judge books by their covers.” architecture, food and art.” Despite these inconveniences, Milo doesn’t let them Today, Milo is establishing his career. He has finished affect his work or his outlook. “My parents taught me to be patient and respectful and kind,” he said. And it seems like these virtues are ones that stuck. “” Milo’s life goals remain incredibly down-to-earth: “mas- tering my craft—which is acting, living a mindful and “I’m currently working on a responsible life and settling down to have a family.” character for a feature film that Oh, and he can surf, cook and act, and he loves family—Steve would have been proud that Milo is being seems pretty interesting ... ” good out there. n

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