What do Leni Klum (18), Lily-Rose Depp (23) and Prince Harry (38) have in common? They are all so-called “Nepo Babies”. This term has been circulating on social media for weeks. Users are constantly discussing celebrities who fit this idea. The “New York” magazine even dedicated a cover story to the “Nepo Babies”, which went viral on the internet. But what does the term really mean?
“Nepo babies” are people who have benefited from nepotism (also called nepotism). The company’s main focus is on celebrity children who have built their own careers in the modeling, music or acting business. There is a debate on the Internet about whether these “Nepo Babies” would have celebrated their great success without the influence of their famous parents.
“Nepo Babies” are not a new phenomenon, famous celebrity children have been around for decades. Examples include Charlie Sheen (57) and Emilio Estevez (60), sons of legendary actor Martin Sheen (82), Kate Hudson (43), daughter of Goldie Hawn (77) and Bill Hudson (73), Jennifer Aniston (53) , daughter of John Aniston (1933-2022), or Dakota Johnson (33), daughter of Don Johnson (73) and Melanie Griffith (65).
However, the proportion of “Nepo Babies” seems to have increased in recent years. More and more celebrity children want to be in the limelight themselves – or the parents want their children to inherit life in a storm of camera flashes. While previous generations seemed to have little interest in celebrity family relationships, the issue of nepotism is extremely important to Gen-Zers. Especially on platforms like Twitter and TikTok there is talk about unfair advantages through nepotism.
The discussions go in different directions. Because not every “Nepo Baby” owes its success only to the popular parents. Some famous children have manifested their birthright celebrity status with their own talent. At least that’s what some social media users claim.
Actor Jack Quaid (30), son of Dennis Quaid (68) and Meg Ryan (61), who is best known for his role in “The Boys”, has many supporters online despite the negative connotations of the “Nepo Baby” label . “Jack is very talented indeed. I hate it when ‘Nepo Babies’ is equated with people who don’t really deserve what they’ve achieved,” wrote a Twitter user.
Actress Emma Roberts (31), daughter of Eric Roberts (66) and niece of Julia Roberts (55), is also a “Nepo Baby”. However, few people bother with that. “The only important ‘Nepo Baby’ – Emma Roberts,” read numerous posts on Twitter. She is a positive example of nepotism, as she has shown her acting talent in series such as “American Horror Story” and “Scream Queens”.
Prince Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and son of King Charles III, enjoyed numerous benefits as a member of the Royal Family from birth – today he is one of the most famous people in the world. So he meets the criteria of a “Nepo baby”. Together with his wife, Duchess Meghan (41), he decided to live a life without royal obligations. Nonetheless, he’s still rich and privileged – even though he’s constantly at odds with his famous family. For many non-celebrity people, this is an absolute no-go. Prince Harry does not value his privileges, it is often said on the internet and in the press.
Of course, Harry’s brother, Prince William, is also a “Nepo Baby”. However, since he rarely polarizes with his behavior, only a few seem to be bothered by his status.
Many “Nepo Babies” don’t like being called “Nepo Baby”. Lily-Rose Depp is also critical of the term. “The internet cares a lot more about who your family is than the people who cast you. It might get you your foot in the door, but it’s just your foot in the door. After that, there’s a lot of work to do on,” claims the “The Idol” actress in November in an interview with “Elle”. Her statement was heavily criticized. Readers questioned whether Depp really knew what hard work meant.
Nobody can influence whether he is born as a “Nepo Baby” or not. Not only famous celebrity children are “Nepo Babies”. If two doctors help their offspring to pursue a career as a doctor, this is also a case of nepotism. And nepotism doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. It just seems important to today’s society that privileged people recognize and value their advantages. A confession along the lines of “yes, life was easier for me” might satisfy many angry voices.
