'Nepo babies': inherited talent or viral privilege?

Margaret Qualley, Angela Aguilar, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Lily-Rose Depp… what do these and other young stars have in common, beyond fame? The answer is simple: a lineage. Because the children of celebrities are making waves.

In the turbulent firmament of celebrity, there's a label that surrounds some stars: 'nepo baby.' Does that sound familiar? These are the children of celebrities who follow in their parents' footsteps in public and artistic careers.

And where does the term come from? Far from being a new phenomenon, nepotism (from the Latin nepos, meaning nephew or grandson) has always existed. But the debate on social media has popularized the concept of "nepo baby" as a trend to discuss both online and in the media.

Because, in addition to recognizing a famous surname, the question of whether or not this connection facilitates a path that others find very difficult to follow is topical. And while stars who are themselves descendants of other celebrities are nothing new, there are many contemporary examples that have gone viral in the digital age.

In the entertainment world, we find names like Margaret Qualley, one of the breakout actresses of 2024 thanks to her role in The Substance. In addition to being talented, Margaret is the daughter of actress and model Andie MacDowell. However, her acting prowess in the film leaves no room for doubt about her meritocracy.

Similar is the case of Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, who combines her acting career with that of a model, and whose work in Nosferatu, the adaptation of the great horror classic, has been praised by critics beyond her surname and lineage.

Also in the news is the name of Patrick Schwarzenegger, the youngest son of legendary actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose role in the third season of The White Lotus has generated a lot of buzz.

In turn, Maya Hawke, daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, has also stood out, although it was only a couple of years ago for her role in the successful series Stranger Things.

Along the same lines, Emma Roberts, daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts herself, has been in the business for years and is especially known for her role in American Horror Story.

Other names in this context include Zoë Kravitz (daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet), Dakota Johnson (daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith), Jaden and Willow Smith (children of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith), Jack Quaid (son of actors Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid), and even Angela Aguilar herself, daughter of Pepe Aguilar.

The world of fashion is another where several "nepo babies" stand out. Kaia Gerber, daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, seems to have inherited not only her mother's beauty, but also a good bridge to the runway.

And there are more cases, such as Leni Klum, daughter of supermodel Heidi Klum; Lila Moss, daughter of Kate Moss; Iris Law, daughter of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost; and Lourdes Leon, daughter of Madonna.

Seen this way, it's clear that many young artists seem to have inherited their parents' talent. But, despite their undeniable talent, critics point out that these promising talents in film, music, and fashion have the privilege of an open door .

And they are born and raised in the midst of fame, which, even as children, gives them the opportunity to observe, learn, and develop alongside their own parents. This is why the label "nepo baby" is not without controversy, shrouded in reflection on issues such as meritocracy, equal opportunity, and the influence of elites.

However, it should be noted that not all children of celebrities have used their surname to forge their future , but rather, on the contrary, have decided to build their lives away from fame.

Some of these cases include Sam Springsteen, the youngest son of Bruce Springsteen and singer Patti Scialfa, who has been a firefighter in New Jersey since 2020, far from the artistic world in which his siblings grew up.

Another example is Ben Ford, the eldest son of Harrison Ford and illustrator Mary Marquardt. He traded baseball for cooking and is now a renowned chef with his own restaurant, Ford's Filling Station, in Los Angeles.

There's also Leslie Bogart, daughter of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. She worked as a nurse and yoga instructor. She's married to Erich Schiffmann and leads a quiet, private life.

Ramona Sarsgaard, the 18-year-old daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, and niece of Jake Gyllenhaal, has opted for journalism over acting. She is studying at Columbia University.

The conversation about "nepo babies" has also touched figures like Mexican singer and actress Susana Zabaleta, who recently sparked debate on social media after a TikTok video went viral in which she reflected on the topic.

There he emphasized that his own children have decided to build their careers without taking advantage of the weight of their surname:

“Elizabetha hates being a 'nepo baby.' My son Matías sings, but he does it on the subway, at universities, wherever he can. He wasn't born on a Televisa show; he came from the bottom,” the artist stated.

Zabaleta added that, had she had famous parents, she would certainly have taken advantage of that advantage. Therefore, she says she deeply admires her children's decision:

"I greatly admire my children because, if I had a famous dad, the first thing I would have done is ask for help. They're not 'nepo babies,' they want to start from the bottom, and I admire them so much for that," he concluded.

However, many defend the artists associated with this term, pointing to the quality of their work as something to admire regardless of their family origins: if the public likes them, it's because they have what it takes to reach the top.

Because, beyond whether or not there's justice in having the advantage of a lineage, the most debated question in each case of one of these stars is whether or not they have the talent to deserve their own place outside of their last name. And, in the end, like everything else, that's a question that only time (and the public) will answer.

With information from the Sunday Editorial Staff of EL TIEMPO