Lifestyles of the rich, famous and inherently privileged. Jamie Lee Curtis, Lily Allen and more “nepo babies” clapped back at claims they have it easier in Hollywood following New York Magazine’s bombshell cover story.
Stars whose parents or relatives are already in the industry — and the culture that rewards them — came under fire earlier this month when the now-viral article revealed how many actors and musicians have found fame thanks to their connections.
“We love them, we hate them, we disrespect them, we’re obsessed with them,” read a tweet from outlet’s account on Monday, December 19, alongside a link to the article.
In the piece, stars including Maude Apatow, Zoë Kravitz, Dakota Johnson and Ben Platt were all scrutinized for how they got their start. “She has her mother’s eyes. And agent,” the magazine trolled on its cover.
Curtis, who called herself an “OG Nepo Baby,” subsequently took issue with the article, detailing why the criticism of celebrity kids is unwarranted.
“The current conversation about nepo babies is just designed to try to diminish and denigrate and hurt,” the Halloween star — whose parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, were both movie stars in the 1950s and 1960s — wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 23.
The 64-year-old Freaky Friday actress, who has been working since she was 19, explained that she has “navigated 44 years with the advantages my associated and reflected fame brought me.” She noted: “I don’t pretend there aren’t any, that try to tell me that I have no value on my own.”
In her lengthy statement, the Everything Everywhere All at Once star argued it’s “not true” that someone’s connections in Hollywood should negate their level of talent. “There are many of us. Dedicated to our craft,” she wrote. “Proud of our lineage. Strong in our belief in our right to exist.”
Meanwhile, the 37-year-old British singer — who is the daughter of daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owe — reacted to the article by slamming its focus. “The nepo babies y’all should be worrying about are the ones working for legal firms,” Lily tweeted on Monday. “The ones working for banks and the ones working in politics.”
She pointed out: “If we’re talking about real world consequences and robbing people of opportunity. BUT that’s none of my business.”
The “Littlest Things” musician acknowledged that she has benefited from her parents’ status, writing, “I will be the first to tell you that I literally deserve nothing.” After defending her fellow “nepo babies” on social media, Lily revealed that she is “more than happy” with her life, admitting “what a privileged upbringing I’ve had and how that has created so many opportunities for me.”
She concluded by writing: “Anyway, enough internets for today, I am abandoning my post as chief nepo baby defender. Have a wonderful rest of your day.”
Scroll down to see which stars have reacted to New York Magazine’s eye-opening article:
