Indianapolis Siblings Walked in Rookie Kids Runway

Three-year-old Zoe and four-year-old Kai Turner traveled to New York City for the Macy's-presented event.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Family

Bold vector editorial illustration of two small children walking on a minimalist fashion runway, representing a youth fashion debut.
Zoe and Kai Turner, young siblings from Indianapolis, recently walked the runway at the Rookie Kids event in New York City. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Zoe and Kai Turner of Indianapolis recently made their runway debut at the Rookie Kids Runway show in New York City. The siblings walked for Nike during the event, which was hosted by Jalen Brunson.

Why it matters

The runway show provided a high-profile platform for young children to model major brands alongside celebrity attendees. Participation in such events highlights the increasing presence of youth influencers in high-end fashion productions.

The Rookie Kids Runway show featured appearances by high-profile celebrities including DJ Khaled, DaBaby, A Boogie, Ice-T, Coco, and Lil' Kim. The event was presented by Macy's.

The players

Zoe Turner

She is a 3-year-old Indianapolis resident who modeled for Nike at the Rookie Kids Runway show.

Kai Turner

He is a 4-year-old Indianapolis resident who modeled for Nike alongside his sister at the recent fashion event.

Jalen Brunson

He is an American professional basketball player who served as the host for the Rookie Kids Runway show.

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

He is a professional athlete and the uncle of the young models Zoe and Kai Turner.

Charles Turner

The 29-year-old parent has stated he will support the children if they decide to continue modeling in the future.

The details

Zoe Turner, 3, and Kai Turner, 4, prepared for the runway by practicing their posing, walking, and smiling techniques. To reach the New York City event, the Indianapolis siblings traveled by airplane for the first time.

Timeline

  1. The siblings participated in the event during the week prior to October 2, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This runway appearance reflects a broader industry shift where major retailers leverage youth-focused fashion marketing campaigns to build long-term brand affinity. The event positions these young participants within a competitive landscape of youth influencers gaining traction in major luxury and retail markets.

The participation of young children in high-profile runway shows increases the visibility of youth-sized collections available at major retailers like Macy's. Parents and fans can follow the event coverage to see how specific brands like Nike style younger demographics in modern apparel.

The takeaway

Supporting children in public-facing roles requires a balanced approach to their extracurricular activities and personal development. Families interested in similar opportunities should focus on the fun and practice elements while maintaining realistic expectations for their children.

Further reading

Learn more about local stories in the Family section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic.