The internet has been buzzing, and Hollywood is holding its breath. New York Magazine’s Vulture declared 2022 as “the year of the nepo baby,” igniting a fiery discussion with their extensive guide to the “Hollywood nepo-verse.” But what exactly is a “nepo baby”? In simple terms, it’s a catchy phrase for the offspring of someone famous, who steps into their parent’s industry – often with perceived advantages. These individuals, navigating careers in competitive fields like acting, music, and fashion, have become the subject of intense scrutiny and debate.
Delving into Vulture’s now-viral infographic, one might jokingly think everyone in Hollywood is connected. Whether it’s through actor parents, director dads, or producer moms, the entertainment industry appears interwoven with family ties. This “nepo baby” phenomenon, though not entirely new, has recently exploded into mainstream conversation, prompting think pieces and social media storms dissecting who gains access to Hollywood’s inner circles and how. Vulture’s deep dive into the subject sparked a particularly heated debate on how we should view nepo babies and their success. But before diving deeper into the controversy, let’s clarify the core question: What Is A Nepo Baby?
Defining the Nepo Baby: More Than Just a Famous Last Name
At its heart, “nepo baby,” short for nepotism baby, describes the child of a well-known figure – be it an actor, musician, director, or any industry insider – who likely benefits from their parent’s fame and established network when launching their own career. It’s a term that has quickly become part of our cultural vocabulary, used to describe individuals navigating the entertainment landscape with a pre-existing advantage.
Vulture’s guide went beyond a simple definition, categorizing nepo babies to add nuance to the conversation:
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Gen-Z on the Come-Up: This category highlights rising stars just beginning to make their mark, such as Gracie Abrams, the singer-songwriter daughter of acclaimed filmmaker J.J. Abrams, and Mason Gooding, the “Scream” actor and son of Oscar-winning Cuba Gooding Jr. These are the nepo babies starting to generate buzz and build their own careers.
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Booked and Busy: These are children of major stars who have moved beyond just starting out and have carved out more established careers. Examples include Zosia Mamet, known for “Girls” and daughter of playwright David Mamet and actress Lindsay Crouse, and Colin Hanks, an actor in his own right and the spitting image of his famous father, Tom Hanks.
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Platinum Grade: This tier includes nepo babies who not only come from famous families but have reached significant stardom themselves. Think of names like Miley Cyrus, Dakota Johnson, and Kate Hudson – individuals who are now major players, regardless of their lineage.
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Nepo Baby Graduates: At the very top are those who come from entertainment industry families but have become so established and legendary that their parentage is almost a footnote. A-listers like Laura Dern, George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anjelica Huston fall into this category, having long since transcended the “nepo baby” label.
Spotlight On Success: Famous Faces in the Nepo Baby Lineage
While Vulture’s guide provides an extensive list, here are some of the most recognizable actors, musicians, models, and influencers frequently identified as nepo babies by both industry insiders and the wider internet:
Colin Hanks
The “Orange County” star, Colin Hanks, at 45 years old, is the son of Hollywood royalty, Tom Hanks, and actress Rita Wilson. He has forged his own successful acting path, demonstrating that talent can indeed run in the family.
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Depp, 23, is the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. Following in her parents’ footsteps in the creative world, she has become a sought-after model and actress, appearing in films like “Wolf” and “Silent Night.”
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard, the 41-year-old star of the “Jurassic Park” franchise, inherited her filmmaking genes from her father, acclaimed director Ron Howard. Her successful acting career speaks volumes about her own talent and drive.
Lily Collins
Lily Collins, 33, known for her starring role in “Emily in Paris,” is the daughter of legendary musician Phil Collins. She has carved her own niche in Hollywood, proving her acting prowess extends beyond her famous name.
Maude Apatow
Maude Apatow, 25, recognized for her role in HBO’s “Euphoria,” comes from a comedic dynasty as the daughter of director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann. Her rising stardom highlights the continued influence of her family’s legacy.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus, the 30-year-old pop icon, is the daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus. She transitioned from child star to global music sensation, demonstrating a powerful force of personality and talent.
Kate Hudson
“Glass Onion” star Kate Hudson, 43, is deeply rooted in Hollywood heritage as the daughter of actors Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson. Raised also by Goldie Hawn’s longtime partner, Kurt Russell, her acting success is undeniable.
Hailey Bieber
Model and influencer Hailey Bieber, née Baldwin, 26, carries the Baldwin acting family name as the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin. She has become a prominent figure in the fashion world, showcasing the reach of celebrity influence across industries.
Deacon Phillippe
Deacon Phillippe, 19, recently seen in Mindy Kaling’s “Never Have I Ever,” is the son of power couple Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe. His budding acting career reflects the continuing legacy of his parents’ fame.
Zosia Mamet
“Girls” star Zosia Mamet, 34, grew up immersed in the arts as the daughter of playwright David Mamet and actress Lindsay Crouse. Her established acting career is a testament to her own talent honed in a creative environment.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson, 33, comes from a multi-generational acting dynasty as the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Her own successful acting career, including roles in major franchises, solidifies her place in Hollywood.
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz, 34, inherited artistic talent from both sides as the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. Her diverse career spanning acting and modeling underscores her multifaceted talent.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Oscar-winning Gwyneth Paltrow, 50, was born into Hollywood with actress Blythe Danner as her mother and the late producer and director Bruce Paltrow as her father. Her long and successful career exemplifies the enduring power of Hollywood families.
Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas, 78, is another example of Hollywood legacy, being the son of acting legend Kirk Douglas and Diana Dill. His own celebrated acting career and producing ventures demonstrate a continuation of his family’s impact.
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda, 85, carries the weight of acting royalty as the daughter of Henry Fonda. Her decades-long career as an actress and activist showcases a powerful individual talent shaped by her lineage.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis, 64, openly acknowledges her privileged upbringing as the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Her successful horror film career and outspoken nature demonstrate a unique path built upon, but distinct from, her family’s legacy.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore, 47, comes from a sprawling acting dynasty, daughter of John Barrymore and granddaughter of John Barrymore and Dolores Costello. Her enduring career, marked by both highs and lows, is a testament to resilience and talent deeply embedded in her family history.
Mariska Hargitay
“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay, 58, is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay. Her long-running television success demonstrates a powerful individual talent and work ethic.
Josh Brolin
Josh Brolin, 54, is the son of actor James Brolin, who later married Barbra Streisand. His established acting career, spanning blockbuster films and critical darlings, shows his own merit within a famous family.
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston, 71, is the daughter of legendary director John Huston and ballerina and model Enrica Soma. Her Oscar-winning career and commanding presence demonstrate a talent shaped by a unique artistic upbringing.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie, 47, is the daughter of actors Jon Voigt and Marcheline Bertrand. Her global stardom, both as an actress and humanitarian, showcases a career that has transcended her family name to become a force in its own right.
Nepo Babies Speak Out: Navigating the Conversation
The Vulture guide and the broader “nepo baby” conversation have undeniably struck a nerve, sparking a wide range of opinions about privilege and connections within the entertainment industry and beyond. The discourse ignited reactions not only from commentators but, notably, from the “nepo babies” themselves.
Some adopted a lighthearted approach. Irish actress Eve Hewson, 31, daughter of U2’s Bono, playfully tweeted about feeling “actually pretty devastated” about initially being left off the Vulture list, only to rejoice when fans pointed out her eventual inclusion.
Lily Allen, daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, took a more critical stance. She tweeted that focusing solely on Hollywood nepo babies distracts from more significant issues of privilege and inherited wealth in sectors like law, finance, and politics, where the consequences are arguably more impactful.
“The nepo babies y’all should be worrying about are the ones working for legal firms, the ones working for banks, and the ones working in politics, If we’re talking about real world consequences and robbing people of opportunity. BUT that’s none of my business,” Allen stated, before preemptively acknowledging her own background, adding, “And before you come at me for being a nepo baby myself, I will be the first to tell you that I literally deserve nothing.”
Allen further argued that the focus should shift from individual “nepo babies” to addressing systemic inequalities within the entertainment industry. She wrote, “I promise you I’m not rooting for an industry full of people that had childhoods that looked like mine. I just really think that we can’t get to a real solution without identifying the real problem, as fun as it is to laugh at the kids of famous people. Nepo babies have feelings.” However, she also stressed the importance of acknowledging her “privileged upbringing” and recognized the “severe lack of representation in the industry where class and race are concerned,” noting that “Everyone loses as a result.”
O’Shea Jackson Jr., actor and rapper son of Ice Cube, offered another perspective, sharing his experiences of having a famous father. Jackson, who notably portrayed a younger Ice Cube in the biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” encouraged those from similar backgrounds to “Embrace that s—. Because it’s something that’s been happening for centuries,” urging them not to feel diminished by their lineage. He acknowledged the invaluable start his father provided but emphasized the need to forge his own path, detailing his two-year audition process for “Straight Outta Compton” and the subsequent independence required to build his career.
Public reaction to nepo babies weighing in has been mixed. While some appreciated the nuanced perspectives, defensiveness from some nepo babies, like Lottie Moss (half-sister of Kate Moss), who briefly deactivated her Twitter after a viral series of tweets about privilege, was met with criticism.
Comedian Franchesca Ramsey succinctly captured the sentiment, “No one rags on you if you’re talented & acknowledge the tremendous privilege that got you in the door.” This highlights a key point: acknowledging privilege appears crucial for nepo babies navigating this discourse.
Jamie Lee Curtis, for example, has received praise for openly recognizing how her parents’ fame likely aided her early career. Similarly, an old interview clip of Whitney Houston resurfaced, where she recounted her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, and cousin Dionne Warwick’s advice: “We’ll help you get in the door but when you’re in it, you’re on your own.” This sentiment resonates with the idea that while connections can open doors, sustained success requires individual talent and effort.
Beyond Nepo Babies: A Mirror to Broader Societal Issues
The “nepo baby” conversation is more than just Hollywood gossip; it’s a lens through which we examine broader societal issues of access, opportunity, and meritocracy. For many, the nepo baby phenomenon serves as a stark reminder that advantages often stem from circumstances beyond sheer talent, such as family connections and wealth. It fuels the argument that a true meritocracy may not exist, and that inherent talent alone is often insufficient for career success, particularly in competitive fields.
Furthermore, the debate has sparked questions about the very definition of a “nepo baby.” Some, like writer Ashley Reese, questioned Vulture’s broad criteria, tweeting, “Someone who was a grip on some sitcom in the 90s having a kid who ends up being an actor is not nepotism.” Writer Rachel Shukert echoed this sentiment, questioning why individuals on Vulture’s list, categorized as “industry babies” (children of less famous industry workers), were equated with offspring of studio chairmen. She tweeted, “I’ve been reading that nepo baby flow chart finally and apparently being the child of anyone who attempted any kind of creative profession is equivalent to being the kid of a … studio chairman. What in the world,” arguing that it unfairly conflates those exposed to creative worlds through parents with those who have had “literally every opportunity handed to them.”
Conversely, some online users have celebrated their favorite “nepo babies,” demonstrating a more playful and less critical engagement with the topic. And, predictably, the internet responded with a flood of memes, further cementing “nepo baby” into the pop culture lexicon.
Ultimately, the “nepo baby” phenomenon and the surrounding discourse are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Whether viewed as a lighthearted entertainment topic or a serious commentary on societal inequality, the conversation raises important questions about privilege, merit, and the pathways to success in competitive industries.
