With so-called fake babies being quite the talking point in Hollywood this week, some celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts on the matter.
Their responses come after one New York magazine story that appeared online Monday delved into the invisible network of family ties that can give celebrity children an edge in the industry.
Lately, especially in 2022, the progeny of notable names in Hollywood has become a hot topic of conversation in social media viral videos. Some content creators have made series about fake babies and their established parents.
After the New York article went viral, O’Shea Jackson Jr., the son of rapper, actor and filmmaker Ice Cube, said in a thread of tweets Tuesday that people who are part of the wealth and talent of generations should “embrace that shit. Because it’s something that’s been happening for centuries.”
“My father told me that in a perfect world I would play him Straight from Compton. I was already in college for screenwriting at USC. I accepted the challenge. And auditioned for two years before she got the part. After that it was up to me, he couldn’t hold my hand throughout my career,” Jackson said of his film debut starring in the 2015 NWA biopic of F. Gary Gray. “I had to get up and make it work. Of the roles I chose. The work ethic I put into it. My professionalism on sets and promo tours. Even leaving HIS desk and [going] to find a team of your own. Once the door was opened, it was up to me to walk through it and thrive.
Jackson, who appeared Straight from Compton, Ingrid goes west, Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Obi Wan Kenobi, added that it would be disrespectful not to accept the opportunities his father worked for. “The work he has done to get us to a place of opportunity. And for me to ignore or not accept that and use it as a guide would be foolish and disrespectful. I am grateful and I use his teachings daily,” he said. “Don’t let anyone get into your head that you should feel bad or that your performance is less than it is. Break your ass! Do the work! And leave something for your kids to do the same! It’s not a shadow you can get out of! It’s an empire you grow to! But it all starts with love for yourself. Love from those before you. A strong mind & WORK.”
In the past, celebrities have defended fake babies, including Maude Apatow, the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, who told Net-A-Porter magazine in September that she thinks the term is “sad.” She said, “I try not to let it get to me because I clearly understand that I am in such a fortunate position. A lot of people [in a similar position] have proven themselves over the years, so I have to keep going and do a good job.”
Gwyneth Paltrow, the daughter of Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow, said in a Hailey Bieber youtube video in July that “people are willing to put you down and say, ‘You don’t belong there.'” In 2018, Dan Levy, Eugene Levy’s son, told Page six that he never asked his father for help early in her career, saying “I think out of fear of label favoritism.”
Lily Allen, born to actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, too responded to the discourse this week to defend fake babies and bring a bigger question into the conversation.
“The nepo babies you should all be concerned about are the ones who work for law firms, the ones who work for banks, and the ones who work in politics, when we talk about real world consequences and robbing people of opportunity. BUT that’s none of my business,” she tweeted Monday. “And before you come at me for being a fake baby myself, I’ll be the first to tell you that I literally don’t deserve anything.”
Kate Moss’ sister, Lottie Moss, too shared some thoughtstweeting: “I’m tired of people blaming nepotism for why they’re not rich and famous or successful – of course it’s not fair that people who come from famous families get an edge because of that, but guess what? Life isn’t honest – if you set your mind to something you can achieve.”
For Jackson, it’s not just successful individuals in Hollywood who need the ability to support their family members. “I wish that everyone in this world can provide opportunities for their children to succeed. No matter how big or small. It’s something all parents work for. How many people do you know who work multiple jobs to send their children to school. Creating opportunity is a parent’s goal,” Jackson said at the end of his tweet thread. “Family first. May everyone reading this pave a path for their family to walk in the future. And teach them to love themselves. To love their family. And pave the way for the next one. Thank you, that was my TED talk.”
Tuesday Allen returned to Twitter to clarify her stance on the subject by noting that her “privileged upbringing” created opportunities, and also that her perspective has changed now that she is 40: “When I was in my twenties I felt very defensive about it, I felt like I worked extremely hard and that I deserved the success that I had, that people connected with my songs and the songs came from me I also had quite a fraught relationship with some of my relatives so it felt hard for me to attribute my successes to them. time.”
She further acknowledged that the conversation becomes more complicated when race and class are involved. “However, I do feel that fake babies are being scapegoated somewhat here. There’s a wider, societal conversation to be had about wealth inequality, about lack of programs and funding, and I think that was the point I was trying to get to.” make, maybe bad,” she continued. “I promise I’m not standing in front of an industry full of people who had a childhood similar to mine. I really think we can’t get to a real solution without identifying the real problem, no matter how much fun it is to make fun of famous people’s children. Nepo babies have feelings.”
