Nepo Babies, They’re Not So Bad
Oh, Hollywood. The land of glitz, glam, and, let’s face it, a whole lot of nepotism. I mean, who hasn’t rolled their eyes at the latest celeb offspring landing a major role and thought, “Really? Again?” But here’s the kicker: nepotism isn’t automatically a bad thing. It’s only a problem when the beneficiary is, well, not so great at their gig.
First, let’s talk about someone who makes nepotism look good: One of my favorite nepo-babies, Miss Jamie Lee Curtis. Yeah, she’s the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, two Hollywood legends. But can we take a moment to appreciate the scream queen herself? I mean, have you seen her in Halloween? She didn’t just ride her parents’ coattails; she sprinted into the horror scene and made it her own. When someone like Jamie Lee Curtis graces our screens, nepotism feels like a win-win. We get great performances, and she gets to carry on the family legacy. Thanks, Hollywood genes!
And let’s not forget about the younger generation stepping into the spotlight. Take Maya Hawke, for example. With parents like Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, the bar was set high. Yet, Maya has managed to shine brilliantly, particularly with her role in Stranger Things. Her authenticity and charm have endeared her to audiences, proving that she’s more than capable of holding her own.
In the grand tapestry of Hollywood, these individuals highlight that while having famous parents might open doors, it’s their hard work, dedication, and unique talents that keep those doors open and allow them to flourish. Nepotism might give them a start, but it’s their own merit that propels them forward, enriching the entertainment landscape for all of us.
Now, let’s flip the coin to the less favorable side. Enter: Jaden Smith. Yikes. Don’t get me wrong, I loved The Pursuit of Happyness as much as the next person, but let’s be real—Jaden’s acting chops haven’t exactly evolved since then. And then there’s his music career. “Icon” was catchy, but his overall discography? Not so much. When nepotism hands opportunities to someone who isn’t quite up to par, it’s like watching a bad movie in slow motion. Cue the collective groan.
And don't even get me started on the whole "thanks Kim" phenomenon. Yes, I'm talking about the Kardashians. They've turned their family name into an empire—and hey, more power to them—but it's a prime example of how family connections can catapult you into stardom. Kendall Jenner, for instance, strutting her stuff on the runway might have been a bit more of a stretch if she wasn't part of the Kardashian/Jenner clan. Listen, I’m sure she has put in some work, but it helps when your momager is Kris Jenner, the queen of turning family drama into dollar signs.
And it goes without saying that Hollywood is incredibly incestuous, maybe not to a literal degree but pick any big Hollywood family and you can connect them to another by blood, marriage, or lovechild. Since we’re already on the topic, the Kardashian/Jenner family can be connected to several other big Hollywood families. Before marrying Kris, Caitlyn Jenner was married to Linda Thompson, longtime girlfriend Of Elvis Presley and ex-wife of David Foster, huge music producer and composer, who later married Yolanda Hadid, nepo mother of models Gigi, Bella, and Anwar. And speaking of Elvis, he and his ex-wife Priscilla had a daughter, Lisa Marie, who was married to Michael Jackson (he and his family were also close with the Kardashians) and Nicolas Cage. She also gave birth to her very talented daughter Riley Keough. The Kardashians will always be inextricably linked with the Hiltons who you can connect by blood or marriage to the Fishers, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, and so on. This is best illustrated by one of my all time favorite nepo-babies Carrie Fisher, daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher and mother to Billie Lourd (another fav), who presents the messy web of of her family tree in her documentary of the stage production Wishful Drinking which I highly recommend watching.
So, yeah, Hollywood nepotism is real, and sometimes it can be a bit of a bummer, especially for the underdogs trying to make it on their own. But hey, it does make for some interesting family trees to dissect during a lazy Sunday scroll through IMDb. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, well, that's up for debate. But one thing's for sure: it keeps the Hollywood gossip mill churning, and let's be honest, we wouldn't have it any other way.
