3 - Lifestyle or Popular Culture
Silver Spoon Stardom: The Rise of "Nepo Babies"
They say it's all about who you know in Hollywood—but for some celebrities, it's all about who you're related to. Famous last names, such as Coppola, Smith, and Apatow, among others, have held a commanding presence in the entertainment industry for decades. In 2022, a magazine from New York Magazine came out with a cover that said, "She Has Her Mother's Eyes. And Agent." The article inside exposed the amount of stars that have famous relatives and connections, as well as sparking conversations about nepotism across social media platforms.
Nepo babies have been around for a very long time. For example, Liza Minnelli, daughter of actress Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, has been in the entertainment industry since the sixties. Surprisingly, many people do not know her as Judy Garland's daughter, rather than as her own powerhouse in Hollywood. Despite her extremely famous parents, her own talent was immense and shows through her work.
There are many celebrities that are able to go under the nepotism radar by not keeping last names. Most people do not know Nicolas Cage as a nepo baby, despite him being director Francis Ford Coppola's nephew. In addition, Riley Keough is able to get away from her family history, despite being Elvis Presley's granddaughter. Some celebrities, such as Zoe Kravitz (daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet), or Gracie Abrams (daughter of director J.J. Abrams and producer Katie McGrath), are not so lucky in being able to get by undetected.
During online conversations about the popular magazine cover, many people defended nepo babies by arguing that, though having connections definitely makes things easier, it still takes talent to succeed in the entertainment industry.
For example, Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, stated, "I have suited up and shown up for all different kinds of work with thousands of thousands of people and every day I've tried to bring integrity and professionalism and love and community and art to my work." (Instagram Post)
Others argued against nepo babies, with some citing how Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of actor Johnny Depp and singer/model Vanessa Paradis, was able to walk in high-name fashion shows despite being extremely short compared to other models. The question arises: Would these opportunities be available to her if not for her parents?
Some people assert that nepotism limits opportunities for individuals who are not connected by their names. It creates an unfair playing field, where talent may be sidelined in favor of privilege. Though many nepo babies are incredibly talented people, the system of favor that benefits them in the entertainment industry makes it harder for outsiders to break through.
The nepo baby debate raises important conversation about fairness, access, and privilege in Hollywood. While some celebrities may have the talent to back up their success, the reality that they have more access to opportunities because of their name cannot be ignored. Whether Hollywood will shift toward more diverse and fair hiring practices is uncertain, but it’s clear that the conversation around nepo babies is far from over.
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