Hollywood's newest discourse surrounding nepotism has taken a fresh turn. At the epicenter is the term "nepo baby", short for 'nepotism baby', a phrase that went viral following a New York Magazine cover story in late 2022.
Gwyneth Paltrow, an Oscar-winning actress and daughter of renowned actor Blythe Danner and director/producer Bruce Paltrow, has now shared her views on this divisive topic.
Paltrow first caught our attention earlier this year, commenting on a post of Hailee Bieber sporting a "nepo baby" shirt. The actress remarked, “I might need a few of these.” Her more recent interview with Bustle delves deeper into the matter.
Discussing her 19-year-old daughter, Apple, she expressed concerns about the judgments faced by children of celebrities: “Now there’s this whole nepo baby culture, and judgment that exists around kids of famous people.
“She’s really just a student, and she’s been very…She just wants to be a kid and be at school and learn. But there’s nothing wrong with doing or wanting to do what your parents do.”
Drawing a parallel to other professions, she pointed out the double standards in play. "Nobody rips on a kid who’s like, 'I want to be a doctor like my dad and granddad'", said Paltrow.
Highlighting the influence of one's upbringing, she added, “The truth is if you grow up in a house with a lot of artists and people making art and music, that’s what you know, the same way that if you grow up in a house of law, the discussions around the table are about the nuances of whatever particular law the parents practice.”
Paltrow didn't hold back her feelings about the term itself, stating, “I think it’s kind of an ugly moniker." Her wish for her children? That they "always feel free to pursue exactly what they want to do, irrespective of what anybody’s going to think or say.”
This polarizing term has ignited reactions from various corners of the industry. Actress Kate Hudson, herself born to celebrity parents Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, shared a nonchalant attitude with The Independent, “The nepotism thing, I mean… I don’t really care.” Hudson stressed the importance of hard work, irrespective of one's family, adding, "I don’t care where you come from, or what your relationship to the business is – if you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter.”
Hollywood veteran Jamie Lee Curtis, the daughter of legendary actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, took to Instagram to voice her perspective. “I have been a professional actress since I was 19 years old so that makes me an OG Nepo Baby,” Curtis declared, emphasizing the undercurrents of denigration within the discourse.
Ethan Hawke, meanwhile, tackled the term with humor during a Variety cover story, admitting, “Put simply, I’m a nepo dad! And I’m not embarrassed about it.”
As Hollywood grapples with this term and its implications, the "nepo baby" debate showcases a broader conversation on privilege, legacy, and the age-old discussion on nature vs. nurture. But in an industry as competitive as entertainment, talent and determination are paramount, irrespective of one's family tree.
