MEET MASON GRAMMER

MEET MASON GRAMMER

Mason Grammer, Kelsey and Camille’s lovely daughter, is all grown up. Here, she shares with our STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER about divorce, cancer, giving back, and how, if life’s taught her anything, it’s that giving up is not an option.

Photography: ROBERT STEINKEN / RobertSteinken.com; Stylist: COURTNEY WELCH / @_styledbyc_; Makeup: HELEN ROBERTSON / CelestineAgency.com using CHANEL Les Beiges cosmetics Hair; ROBERT STEINKEN / CelestineAgency.com; Photo Assistant: TOMA KOSTYGINA; Photo Assistant: NATALIE MILANI; Digital Post: LEONA MANASTUREAN; Art Direction: STEPHEN KAMIFUJI

Divorce is hell, and, like civilians in war, children are its collateral damage. So, when actor Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier) and Camille (The Housewives of Beverly Hills), split in 2010, 8-year-old Mason and her brother, Jude, 5, were swept into the agonizing wake of a reality-show split. “It was the hardest time of my life,” says Mason. “I changed a lot after that. I had to grow up faster because I had a lot more responsibilities. My dad wasn’t around, so I didn’t see him much, and my mom had such a hard time. I became my younger brother’s mom. Everyone was on edge. My parents still don’t talk. At all. Ever.”

Time heals all wounds, but from Camille’s perspective, these may take a little longer. “It was a very difficult time for us when Kelsey left,” Camille says, “Our lives were turned upside down and how it happened was painful. When you’re used to having your partner by your side, it’s a whole new reality. My biggest concern was how my children would react and how to protect them and to help get them through the hurt feelings of loss and abandonment. My children understand it wasn’t about them. We all went to therapy, and Mason got into dancing and soccer. It’s cathartic to stay active and work out. Both of my kids love their father very much. I’m proud of them. I have great children. They’re loving and caring and kind and sensitive and empathetic. It’s true, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

For now, Mason and Dad are very close. “I can talk to him about everything,” Mason says, with hopes of following in his footsteps, “I’d like to go to USC or NYU for film and eventually get into producing or directing.”

Today, Mason is wearing Brandy Melville black cargo pants with black Converse shoes, and a white T sporting the Faith American Ale logo— the beer company that Kelsey owns. She shares how she began noticing her dad was somehow different. “I was about five, and strangers would

always come up to him and ask for pictures, and the paparazzi were always following us. I soon realized he was famous.” She also suspects that her grades—both good and bad—have often been a reflection of her teacher’s fondness or dislike of her dad.

Shortly following the contentious divorce and more bad news surfaced, Camille was diagnosed with cancer—something she decided to shield from her children. “Mom didn’t talk about it a lot in front of us because we were so young at the time,” Mason says, “I think I was 10 and my brother was only 7. She had to go to Houston for her cancer treatments because they were the best in the country, so we had a nanny to take care of us. We had many nannies over the years.” Camille overcame the cancer, but it returned in 2017. She beat it again. She’s two for two.

“My mom is my hero,” Mason declares, “She’s been through so much, but in the end, she always comes out stronger. She’s an amazing woman who never gives up. I love her so much.”

The pair devotes their charity time to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. “Every year, we go to the 5K race/walk in Washington, DC.,” Mason says, “I’m also part of the Operation Smile club that helps children with cleft palates.”

With her eyes set on college, Mason’s primary focus is on her education and getting good grades. Recently, though, she signed with the prestigious David Todd Model Management (the agency of superstars like Ireland Baldwin and Lydia Hearst), and the last three years have diverted her to New York to walk the runway at Fashion Week for prestigious brands like Malan Breton and Nicole Miller.

In David Todd’s email announcing the addition of Mason to their model roster, he added five prophetic words to the subject line, Mason Grammer—New ‘IT’ Girl!