Nepotism has been a constant in Hollywood, but 2022 was the year that every up and coming celebrity seemed like a nepo baby. It sparked a lot of talk, this realization: some people say these A-listers are getting off too easy, and others say they are talented and hardworking in their own right. These are the nepo babies that everyone’s asking to see. Do you think they deserved the limelight?
Hailey Bieber
When people think of Hailey Bieber, some just think of her as a model, but almost everyone recognizes her because she’s married to pop star Justin Bieber. And Hailey didn’t marry into fame, she was born into it. She is part of the famous Baldwin brothers clan, her father, Stephen Baldwin, and most famous member of the clan, Alec Baldwin (Hailey’s uncle).
At around the age of 18 the model started her career, and she is still going strong today. Recently, Bieber made her feelings about the current debate known, by sporting a tshirt that said ‘nepo baby’ on it.
Michael Consuelos
Michael Consuelos started acting at a young age and is now most famous for playing a younger version of his father’s character on Riverdale. While the casting choice makes perfect sense, the public is still pretty worked up about it.
With actor Mark Consuelos as his father and talk show host Kelly Ripa as his mother, Michael is definitely a nepo baby. That being said, the young actor did have to audition for the role, just like everyone else.
Charlie Hall
Charlie Hall is known for being actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s son and an actor in his own right. Charlie’s first role was in his mother’s show Veep in 2019.
Although Charlie hasn’t commented on the whole nepo baby debate — not even when he was specifically mentioned in a New York Magazine article — his mom had something to say. In her most Mariah Carey “I don’t know her” fashion, Julia clarified, “Yeah. I didn’t read it.”
Sydney Chandler
Sydney Chandler recently rose to fame with a starring role in Don’t Worry Darling — an opportunity that was readily available due to her father, Kyle Chandler, being a famous actor. According to Sydney herself, “My dad is an actor, and so you never want to do what your parents are doing. So I stayed very far away from that … [until] I ended up taking an acting class in Austin here in town when I was studying for my writing.”
While Sydney’s nepotism is inconsequential, it’s not the only thing the actress has made waves for. Chandler is seven years older than her boyfriend, actor Louis Partridge, which fans have an issue with being that Louis was just 17 years old when they met.
Deacon Phillippe
Singer/actor Deacon Phillippe is classified as a nepo baby because his parents are actors Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, but we’re not so sure he deserves the label. So far, Deacon’s only acting credit is a small role in Never Have I Ever.
Other than that, he’s known for his music, which he independently uploaded onto his TikTok. Sure, you could argue that Phillippe has so many TikTok followers because of his famous parents. But, what’s he supposed to do about that? Never use social media at all?
Zoë Kravitz
Actress Zoë Kravitz is the daughter of singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. Zoë comes from a truly A-list family, has found immense fame herself, and has zero shame in being a nepo baby.
Although Kravitz used to have “deep insecurity” about following in her parents’ footsteps, she’s now confident with her place in the limelight. “It’s completely normal for people to be in the family business. It’s literally where last names came from.” She’s not wrong!
Maya Hawke
No one was particularly surprised when Maya Hawke got into acting, seeing as both her parents — Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke — are actors themselves. Maya knows she’s lucky, but she feels she’s figured out the perfect way to deal with it.
“You will get chances for free, but the chances will not be infinite, so you have to keep working and do a good job. If you do a bad job, the chances will stop. That’s my ethos.” Wait, does she think we regular folk get endless chances at our jobs?
Lewis Pullman
Lewis Pullman had a backup plan in case acting didn’t work out for him. While that’s an understandable strategy for most people, Lewis’s father is actor Bill Pullman, so it was pretty much guaranteed that he’d make it in Hollywood.
Nonetheless, Pullman was prepared for anything, he was “on the tractor division [in college]. I figured if acting didn’t work out I could be on the road crew, working the backhoe.” Clearly, that wasn’t necessary.
Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith has had a tough go of his time in Hollywood, as he was heavily mocked during his teenage years for saying all the dumb things every teenager ever has said — but he did so in the public eye.
Jaden started off following in his parents, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s, footsteps with acting but has since switched to working in music. We argue that Jaden’s struggle with fame was due to starting out too early… at just the age of five!
John David Washington
At first, John David Washington didn’t plan to be an actor like his father, Denzel Washington. John David actually had a successful football career but, sadly, had to retire due to an injury.
However, Washington says that he’d always wanted to be an actor, but shied away from it in an attempt to do something he could call his own. “Even though I was hiding what I really wanted to do, it gave me an identity.” Hopefully, he’s now happy with his new career.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson is primarily known for two things — starring in the cringe-worthy 50 Shades of Grey and being the nepo baby of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson.
Dakota was 10 years old when she started acting and, like many nepo babies, she got her start playing the daughter of her mom’s character in Crazy in Alabama. Nowadays, Johnson is starring in movies including her very first superhero film, which is set to be released in 2024.
Billie Lourd
Technically speaking, Billie Lourd is a second-generation nepo baby. The actress’s grandmother, Debbie Reynolds, was an extremely successful actress with a career that lasted over 70 years!
Billie’s mother (Debbie’s daughter) was Carrie Fisher, who had many acting credits to her name before her passing — the most famous being that of Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies. While no one seemed to mind Carrie’s rise to fame, propelled by her mother’s connections, people are apparently really bothered by Billie.
Jack Quaid
Jack Quaid tried to accept as little help as possible from his actor parents, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, when pursuing his own movie career. In fact, Jack even declined his father’s offer to share an agent.
Quaid also considered changing his last name, but ultimately decided against it. The change would’ve been unnecessary, anyway, as many fans were surprised to learn he’s a nepo baby. After a period of imposter syndrome, Jack is “making an effort to focus on that less and just really trying to embrace this.”
Maude Apatow
Actress Maude Apatow is saddened by the fact that her career is being defined by those of her director father Judd Apatow and her actress mother Leslie Mann. “I try not to let it get to me because I obviously understand that I’m in such a lucky position.”
She continued, “A lot of people [in a similar position] have proven themselves over the years, so I’ve got to keep going and make good work.” All in good time, Maude, all in good time.
Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley’s acting credits go all the way back to 2013, but she recently rose to Hollywood’s A-list with the series Maid in 2021. One could argue that Margaret got the role because of her mom, Andie MacDowell, who played her mother in the show.
However, no one can argue that Qualley did a fantastic job and received several award nominations for her work. Many people consider Margaret to be proof that not all nepo babies are created equal. Wow, it’s almost as if they’re individual people!
Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch is a charming actress, just like her mother Lea Thompson. Zoey got her start at the age of 15, with a guest spot in The Suite Life on Deck. Her breakout role came four years later, as the star of Vampire Academy.
Nowadays, Deutch is working side-by-side with her mother on a podcast called A Total Switch Show about a mother and daughter who swap bodies. Sounds appropriate!
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Depp is a model, just like her mother Vanessa Paradis — and an actor, just like her father, Johnny Depp. Lily-Rose knows that people think her parents are the ones to thank for her career, but she disagrees.
“The internet cares a lot more about who your family is than the people who are casting you in things. Maybe you get your foot in the door, but you still just have your foot in the door. There’s a lot of work that comes after that.”
Miley Cyrus
Actress/singer Miley Cyrus is what’s known as a “platinum grade” nepo baby — meaning that her fame has surpassed that of her celebrity parent, singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus. While Miley hasn’t commented on her nepo baby label, her fans have had her back.
One person said, “I’m sorry but Miley Cyrus is too talented to be a nepo baby. Her dad is a nepo daddy.” While another fan insisted, “Billy Ray and the rest of the family would be working at McDonald’s right now if it wasn’t for Miley!”
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson is a beloved actress, as is her mother, Goldie Hawn. Kate’s father, Bill Hudson, used to be a musician and actor — although he no longer works and never had a relationship with Kate, making him irrelevant in the nepo baby debate.
As for Hudson’s thoughts on nepotism in Hollywood, she doesn’t care. “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.”
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is a rare nepo baby case, in that many fans don’t know that her mother is the legendary singer Diana Ross. That being said, industry insiders do know, and it hasn’t always worked in Tracee’s favor.
The actress recalls an agent telling her, “You come with all these things. You’re pretty, you have style, your mom is Diana Ross — and then you get into a room and nothing happens. You just don’t pop.” Ouch, we guess nepo babies have to work for it, too!
Lily Allen
Lily Allen knows that she got her singing career partially with the financial help and connections of her actor father, Keith Allen — and her producer mother, Alison Owen. Of course, this doesn’t mean that Lily isn’t talented in her own right.
Although she’s self-aware, Allen doesn’t feel that nepotism in Hollywood should be the focus of the public discourse. “I do feel that nepo babies are being somewhat scapegoated here though, there is a wider, societal conversation to be had about wealth inequality, about lack of programs and funding.”
Brooklyn Beckham
Former model/now media personality Brooklyn Beckham is one of the most hated nepo babies. With former soccer star David Beckham as a father and former Spice Girl/now fashion designer Victoria Beckham as a mother, Brooklyn has definitely led a charmed life.
Like many young people, Beckham has tried his hand at various different careers and hobbies, most recently deciding he’s a chef. The public’s response was brutal, calling Brooklyn untalented and mocking his attempts at cooking. Really? Are children of famous people not allowed to explore new interests now?
Gwyneth Paltrow
Actress/businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and director/producer Bruce Paltrow. Gwyneth’s take on nepo babies is extremely on point with her public persona.
Paltrow has said, “As the child of someone, you get access other people don’t have, so the playing field is not level in that way. However, I really do feel that once your foot is in the door, which you unfairly got in, then you almost have to work twice as hard and be twice as good.”
Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel rose to fame with the starring role of Jess in New Girl. Her place in Hollywood was secured, thanks to the work of her cinematographer/director father, Caleb Deschanel — and her actress mother, Mary Jo Deschanel.
Like other nepo babies, Zooey feels that having famous parents prepared her for the trappings of the limelight. “Because they were in the business, I kind of went into it with a very down-to-earth sensibility. I was lucky that way.”
Lourdes Leon
Model/singer Lourdes Leon’s mother is none other than the Queen of Pop, Madonna. Although her mom is one of the most famous people to have ever lived, Lourdes doesn’t consider herself to be similar to other nepo babies.
“I want to feel like I deserve things and not just like I’ve been given things. And, yes, there’s an undeniable privilege that I’d be stupid to not realize. Nepotism babies are pretty awful usually, and my mom and my father raised me to be so much smarter than that.”
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber is a model/actress who was certainly given a leg-up in the industry by her supermodel mother, Cindy Crawford. Another element of Kaia’s personal life that boosted her fame was that she dated Pete Davidson, whose ability to become romantically involved with women seemingly out of his league always makes headlines.
So, all Gerber has to do in order to be judged strictly on her work is to be born into a different family and not date anyone in Hollywood, despite the fact that’s likely the only people she knows. Nonetheless, the celeb has shared that she feels “fortunate” for her privilege, but also touched on the fact that “no artist is going to sacrifice their vision for someone’s kid.”
Lila Moss
Lila Moss has followed in her supermodel mother’s footsteps with her own modeling career. While Lila and Kate have kept quiet about the whole nepo baby discussion, Kate’s sister, Lottie, has made her feelings known.
“Obviously it’s not fair that people who come from famous families are getting a leg up because of that but guess what? Life isn’t fair — if you put your mind to something you can accomplish anything! So instead of being negative about other people’s success go and try and create your own!”
Landon Barker
We don’t understand what the public wants from influencer Landon Barker. Landon’s father is drummer Travis Barker, who’s married to reality star Kourtney Kardashian. Landon’s mother is former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler.
Given the careers of the adults in Berker’s life, the 19-year-old has been featured in reality shows such as Meet the Barkers and The Kardashians. The public resents Landon for being a nepo baby, but what was he supposed to do when literal cameras were in his home, filming his entire family? Hide?
Meadow Walker
Model Meadow Walker has been given a much-needed break in the nepo baby debate, due to the tragic and untimely passing of her actor father, Paul Walker. It’s unclear how much of Meadow’s modeling career came from her actively pursuing it, and how much was a natural rise to fame after she was thrust into the spotlight with Paul’s passing.
Regardless, Walker’s godfather, actor Vin Diesel was recently asked if Meadow would star in a future Fast and Furious movie. He responded with, “I would not count anything out.”
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis’s acting career was a given, seeing as both her parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, were also actors. Recently, Jamie Lee weighed in on the nepo baby debate, and people are actually listening.
“The current conversation about nepo babies is just designed to try to diminish and denigrate and hurt […] It’s curious how we immediately make assumptions and snide remarks that someone related to someone else who is famous in their field for their art, would somehow have no talent whatsoever.”
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is the daughter of film directors Naomi Foner and Stephen Gyllenhaal. While she hasn’t commented on nepotism playing a part in her career, Maggie has said that she’s learned from her parents’ experiences in the industry.
“You can be on top of the world and then the next year you can be nowhere. And then, later, you’re interesting again; and then, suddenly, you’re not. I watched that happen to them, and I watched it hurt them. I think I’m a bit armed by having seen that.”
Alfie Allen
Actor Alfie Allen is probably best known for portraying Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, an accomplishment that’s recently been overshadowed by the fact that his family is equally famous.
Alfie’s parents are actor Keith Allen and producer Alison Owen. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Alfie’s sister is the famous singer Lily Allen. Lily’s had a lot to say in defense of both herself and her brother, while Alfie is yet to add to the nepo baby discussion.
Elle King
Elle King is a singer whose most famous song, “Ex’s and Oh’s” dominated the charts in 2015. Unfortunately, Elle hasn’t seen too much mainstream success since, but that’s not for lack of talent — or connections.
King’s father is screenwriter Rob Schneider, which just proves that being a nepo baby can’t guarantee a spot on the A-list. In a move that probably hurt her professionally, but helped her self-esteem, Elle changed her last name so that she’d be able to claim her Hollywood success as her own.
Bella Hadid
Model Bella Hadid’s mother, Yolanda Hadid, became famous as a reality star on the show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Bella’s career was also helped by her on-again-off-again relationship with singer The Weeknd.
Catapulted into fame, Hadid started modeling at the age of 16 with a commercial for Flynn Skye. Nowadays, she walks in Paris Fashion Week, appears in magazines like Vogue and Elle, and has worked with brands such as Givenchy and Ralph Lauren.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet’s nepo baby status is debatable — as his mother, Nicole Flender, is a former Broadway dancer but never quite reached the level of fame that Timothée’s acting has brought him. In fact, while Chalamet was growing up, Nicole was working as a real estate broker.
The actor really only got hit with the nepo baby label when his agent revealed that Timothée hasn’t had to audition for anything in over seven years. But, maybe that’s just because he’s so talented, and his work speaks for itself.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively comes from a family of actors, most prominently her father, Ernie Lively, who’s also an acting coach. Blake is famous both for her talent and her marriage to fellow actor, Ryan Reynolds. Despite her status as an A-lister, fame isn’t something Blake is a huge fan of.
“My anonymity is something I treasure. Wanting to be an actor and wanting to be famous are different.” Lively’s lack of desperation to be in the spotlight has made the public more forgiving of her nepo baby status.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie comes from a family full of actors, most notably her father, John Voight. Angelina also became a Hollywood staple due to her love triangle with fellow A-list actors Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
It seems that Jolie’s lineage will continue, as some of her children have begun to show interest in Hollywood careers, and have even joined their mother on the red carpet. Seeing as how the Jolie-Pitt family has always been in the headlines, it might be nice for the kids to get some control over the narrative.
Truman Hanks
Truman Hanks’ path into acting was cleared by his actor father, Tom Hanks. Since Truman and some of his siblings have started to get a taste of the public’s wrath, Tom has come to his children’s defense.
“Look, this is a family business. This is what we’ve been doing forever. It’s what all of our kids grew up in. […] And if we were a plumbing supply business, or if we ran the florist shop down the street, the whole family would be putting in time at some point.”
Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola is a filmmaker, just like her parents, Francis Ford Coppola and Eleanor Neil. Sofia says that when she first started making movies, people assumed that her father had helped her.
However, she’s made a name for herself and no longer gets a lot of criticism for being a nepo baby. “Starting out in your career, people talk about nepotism. But, you just have to do your work and prove yourself, and then you don’t hear that as much.”
Emily Deschanel
Not one to be left out of the famous family, Emily Deschanel took up acting and is widely recognized for starring in Bones. Emily was far from new to Hollywood — as her mother is an actress, her father is a cinematographer/director, and her sister is Zooey Deschanel.
While Emily loves acting, she does admit that she had originally wanted to be an architect. This doesn’t say anything about nepo babies, though. Don’t all of us have our career decisions impacted by our family and surroundings?
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal is arguably the most successful of the Gyllenhaal clan. That being said, his actress sister, director father, and screenwriter/director mother make for some fierce competition.
Despite his star status, Jake has no problem playing second fiddle to Maggie. “Since we’ve been kids, I’ve been basically her assistant or whatever form she needs me to be in, so I will continue to be that. I’m her little brother, and if anyone’s a younger sibling, they understand what I mean.”
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid is a supermodel and the daughter of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid. Gigi has taken a rare stance on the nepo baby debate, in that she sympathized with the critics.
“I know I come from privilege, so when I started there was this big guilt of privilege, obviously […] I’ve always had this big work ethic because my parents came from nothing and I worked hard to honor them.”
