“Nepo Babies” Defended by O’Shea Jackson Jr., Lily Allen Amid Debate – The Hollywood Reporter
With Hollywood’s so-called “nepo babies” becoming the talk of the week, several celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts on the matter.
Their reaction came after a New York Journal The story, published online Monday, delves into the invisible web of family ties that can give the children of industry celebrities an edge.
Recently, especially in 2022, the offspring of famous Hollywood names have become a popular topic of discussion in viral videos on social networks. Several creators have produced series around newborn babies and their unwavering parents.
After New York The article went viral, O’Shea Jackson Jr., son of rapper, actor and filmmaker Ice Cube, said in a string of tweets on Tuesday that those who are part of the wealth and talent of the generation should “Grab that. Because that is what has happened for centuries.”
“My dad told me that in a perfect world I would play him in Straight Outta Compton. I did college screenwriting at USC. I accept the challenge. And auditioned for the role for two years before accepting the role. Then it was up to me, he couldn’t hold my hand for the rest of my career,” Jackson said of his film debut with the lead role in F. Gary Gray’s 2015 NWA biopic. “I had to get up and make it work. From the roles I chose. The work ethic I put into them. My professionalism on set and promotional trips. Even when leaving HIS office and [going] to find a team of my own. Once the door was opened, I had to step through it and grow.”
Jackson, who appeared in Straight Outta Compton, Ingrid goes West, Godzilla: King of Monsters and Obi-Wan Kenobi, adding that it would be disrespectful not to accept the opportunities his father worked for. “The work he has put in has brought us to a place of great opportunity. And for me to ignore that or not accept and use as a guide would be stupid and disrespectful. I am grateful and I use his teachings every day,” he said. “Don’t let anyone think you should feel bad or that your performance is below what they are. Break your butt! Work! And leave something for your kids to do the same! It’s not a shadow for you to get out of! It’s an empire you’re growing! But it all starts with your own love. The love of those before you. A Strong Mind & WORK.”
In the past, celebrities have spoken out in defense of the newborns, including Maude Apatow, daughter of Judd Apatow, and Leslie Mann, who said Net-A-Porter magazine in September that she thought the term was “sad.” She said, “I try not to let that happen to me because I clearly understand that I am in such a fortunate position. There are many people [in a similar position] have proven myself over the years, so I have to go on and do my job well.”
Gwyneth Paltrow, daughter of Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow, said in a YouTube video by Hailey Bieber in July that “people are willing to pull you down and say, ‘You don’t belong there'”. In 2018, Dan Levy, son of Eugene Levy, said Page Six that he never asked his father for help at the beginning of her career, saying, “I think because of fear of the label nepotism.”
Lily Allen, son of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, also answered join this week’s discourse in defense of babies and bring a bigger question into the conversation.
“The babies you should be worried about are those who work for law firms, those who work for banks and those who work in politics, If we are talking about the consequences in the real world and rob people of opportunities. BUT that’s none of my business,” she tweeted on Monday. “And before you criticize me for being an infant myself, I’ll be the first to tell you that I really don’t deserve anything.”
Kate Moss’s older sister, Lottie Moss, also share some thoughts, tweeted, “I’m sick of people blaming nepotism for why they’re not rich and famous or successful – it’s clearly not fair that people from families Popularity gets promoted because of that but guess what? Life is not fair – if you focus on something you can achieve it.”
For Jackson, it’s not just successful individuals in Hollywood who have the opportunity to support their family members. “I wish everyone in the world could give their children a chance to succeed. Whether big or small. It’s something all parents work for. How many people you know are working multiple jobs to send their children to school. Creating opportunities is a parent’s goal,” Jackson said at the end of his tweet. “Family comes first. May those who read this, chart a path their families can walk in the future. And teach them to love themselves. To love their families. And pave the way to the next Thank you that’s my TED talk.
On Tuesday, Allen back to twitter to clarify her stance on the subject by noting that her “privileged upbringing” created many opportunities and her perspective changed by the time she was 40: “In in my twenties, I feel very defensive about it, I feel like I’ve worked incredibly hard and that I deserve the success I have, that people connect with my songs And those songs come from me, I also have a pretty strained relationship with some of my family members so I find it difficult to attribute my success to them, at the time.”
She went on to admit that the conversation gets more complicated when race and class are involved. “However, I do feel that babies are being taken as scapegoats here, there is a broader social conversation about the inequality between rich and poor, about the lack of programs and funding. , and I guess that’s the point I’m trying to make, which can be bad. She continued. “I promise you I’m not in favor of an industry full of people from my childhood. I really think we can’t come to a real solution without identifying a real, fun problem like laughing at the children of celebrities. Nepo babies have feelings.”
