Nepo babies including Gwyneth Paltrow, Lily Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis have hit back at the label and claimed they’ve had to work ‘three times harder’ to succeed.
While also claiming the realities of having famous parents can leave offspring ‘starved of stability and love’.
As the mere sight of a ‘nepo baby‘ in the limelight is guaranteed to rile people up, many famous children have insisted that working in the family business is nothing out of the ordinary.
And while some take it on the chin, others have claimed being branded the unflattering term ‘diminished and degrades’ their talent.
MailOnline takes a look at the nepo-babies hitting back……
Nepo babies including Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured) Lily Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis have hit back at the label and claimed they have had to work ‘three times harder’ to succeed
While also claiming the realities of having famous parents can leave offspring ‘starved of stability and love’ (Lily Allen pictured)
MailOnline takes a look at the nepo-babies hitting back (Jamie Lee Curtis pictured)
Gwyneth Paltrow
Famous parents: Movie producer Bruce Paltrow and actress Blythe Danner
Oscar winner Gwyneth, 53, has hit back at the nepo babies backlash and argued that she saw nothing wrong with doing or wanting to do what your parents do.’
In a 2023 interview with Bustle, she said: ‘Nobody rips on a kid who’s like: “I want to be a doctor like my dad and granddad.”‘
However she insisted that her own daughter Apple, 20, is ‘a very private person’ who has no interest in even modelling for Gwyneth’s wellness brand Goop.
She reflected: ‘Now there’s this whole nepo baby culture, and judgment that exists around kids of famous people. She’s really just a student, and she’s been very…. She just wants to be a kid and be at school and learn.’
Gwyneth stood up for children who join the same profession as their parents, pointing out that they are acting on the influences they absorbed at home.
‘The truth is if you grow up in a house with a lot of artists and people making art and music, that’s what you know, the same way that if you grow up in a house with law, the discussions around the table are about the nuances of whatever particular law the parents practice,’ she said. ‘I think it’s kind of an ugly moniker.’
Oscar winner Gwyneth, 53, has hit back at the nepo babies backlash and argued that she saw nothing wrong with doing or wanting to do what your parents do.’
She said: ‘Nobody rips on a kid who’s like: “I want to be a doctor like my dad and granddad” (pictured with movie producer dad Bruce Paltrow and actress mum Blythe Danner in 1999)
However: Gwyneth insisted that her own daughter Apple, 20, is ‘a very private person’ who has no interest in even modelling for Gwyneth’s wellness brand Goop
She added: ‘I just hope that my children always feel free to pursue exactly what they want to do, irrespective of what anybody’s going to think or say.’
Gwyneth shares her daughter, as well as a son called Moses, 18, with her ex-husband Chris Martin, who became a global heartthrob as the frontman of Coldplay.
Lily Allen
Famous parents: Actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen
Singer Lily, 39, has fiercely hit back at the criticism of nepotism babies and said many are ‘starved of stability and love’ because of their ‘narcissistic’ parents.
Taking to X in 2022 she said people should be more ‘worried’ about those who land jobs due to who their parents are in the world of ‘banks and politics ‘ rather than showbiz.
Claiming that the entrainment industry and claimed it is not a ‘parent friendly’ business and said these children can be ‘starved’ of ‘love’.
Writing: ‘The nepo babies y’all should be worrying about are the ones working for legal firms, the ones working for banks, and the ones working in politics.
‘If we’re talking about real world consequences and robbing people of opportunity. BUT that’s none of my business.’
‘And before you come at me for being a nepo baby myself, I will be the first to tell you that I literally deserve nothing,’ she added.
Singer Lily, 39, has fiercely hit back at the criticism of nepotism babies and said many are ‘starved of stability and love’ because of their ‘narcissistic’ parents
She is the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen (all pictured in September 2010)
Lily, whose brother Alfie, 38, (pictured) is an actor, said it can be hard to ‘see one’s own privilege’ when ‘processing childhood trauma’
When a Twitter user asked her, ‘Why are your parents blue links on Wikipedia,’ she replied: ‘Because I’m a nepo baby, and both my parents are super talented.’
Lily went on to claim that the entertainment industry is not ‘parent friendly’ and said it can be hard to ‘see one’s own privilege’ when ‘processing childhood trauma’.
She continued: ‘In childhood we crave stability and love, nurturing, we don’t care about money or proximity to power yet.
‘Many of the nepo babies are starved of these basic things in childhood as their parents are probably narcissistic.
‘And entertainment business is not parent friendly eg.. Touring/months away shooting.
‘It can be hard to see one’s own privilege when you’re still processing childhood trauma, and a lot of these kids haven’t figured that out yet.’
In previous interviews, she also revealed that the ending of her parents’ marriage in 1989 left her insecure and desperately craving attention.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Famous parents: Movie star’s Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis, 66, hasn’t been shy about hitting back at the nepo baby discourse and previously said ‘there’s not a day in’ her ‘professional life that goes by without her being reminded that she is ‘the daughter of movie stars.’
But she had the ultimate revenge when after being awarded the Best Supporting Actress Oscar last year for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
During her emotional speech, the actress pointed out that her movie star parents Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh had both been nominated but never made it to the podium.
The reference to her parents led some social media commentators to quip that it was ‘the nepo baby’s truest revenge’ to succeed where your parents haven’t.
Jamie Lee Curtis said ‘there’s not a day in’ her ‘life that goes by without her being reminded that she’s ‘the daughter of movie stars’ (pictured with parents Janet Lee and Tony Curtis)
But she had the ultimate revenge when after being awarded the Best Supporting Actress Oscar last year for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once
The reference to her parents led some quips that it was ‘the nepo baby’s truest revenge’ to succeed where your parents haven’t (pictured with her sister and parents)
Jamie wrapped up her emotional speech by saying, ‘And my mother and my father were both nominated for Oscars in different categories – I just won an Oscar!’
Previously writing on Instagram: ‘I have been a professional actress since I was 19 years old so that makes me an OG Nepo Baby,’ the mom-of-two wrote. ‘I’ve never understood, nor will I, what qualities got me hired that day, but since my first two lines on Quincy as a contract player at Universal Studios to this last spectacular creative year some 44 years later.’
She continued: ‘The current conversation about nepo babies is just designed to try to diminish and denigrate and hurt.’
‘For the record I have navigated 44 years with the advantages my associated and reflected fame brought me, I don’t pretend there aren’t any, that try to tell me that I have no value on my own,’ the Halloween Ends star wrote on Instagram.
The performer pointed out that it is ‘curious’ that society ‘immediately make assumptions and snide remarks’ about ‘someone else who is famous in their field for their art, would somehow have no talent whatsoever.’
Curtis insisted that the stereotype around celebrity children ‘is simply not true’ and detailed her hard work over the years, which has required her to act with ‘integrity and professionalism’ on every set.
‘I am not alone. There are many of us. Dedicated to our craft. Proud of our lineage. Strong in our belief in our right to exist,’ she noted.
Kate Hudson
Famous parents: Actress Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson
Kate, 45, also defended famous families and said relatives working in the same businesses are common, and that talent shines through no matter where it’s found.
She told The Independent in 2022: ‘I don’t care where you come from, or what your relationship to the business is – if you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter,’
Kate, 45, also defended famous families and said relatives working in the same businesses are common, and that talent shines through no matter where it’s found
She told The Independent in 2022: ‘I don’t care where you come from, or what your relationship to the business is – if you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter, (pictured with Oscar winning mum Goldie Hawn)
‘The nepotism thing, I mean… I don’t really care. I look at my kids and we’re a storytelling family. It’s definitely in our blood. People can call it whatever they want, but it’s not going to change it.’
The Almost Famous star said she believed that ‘there are other industries where it’s’ more prevalent.
Adding: ‘Sometimes I’ve been in business meetings where I’m like, wait, “Whose child is this? Like, this person knows nothing!”‘
Two of her brothers, Oliver Hudson, 48, and Wyatt Russell, 38, are also actors
Dan Levy
Famous parents: Actor Eugene Levy
Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy, 41, has claimed nepo babies have to work ‘three times as hard’ to establish their careers.
This come despite admitting to distancing himself from his famous father Eugene for five years to avoid accusations that he was the reason behind his success.
The actor, producer, and director, revealed how he kept his family tree under wraps during his formative years at MTV Live as he wanted to establish his success away from his father, 77.
It wasn’t until he believed he had made a name for himself in the industry that he approached Eugene to concrete hit comedy series Schitt’s Creek.
Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy, 41, has claimed nepo babies have to work ‘three times as hard’ to establish their careers
The actor, producer, and director, revealed how he kept his family tree under wraps during his formative years at MTV Live as he wanted to establish his success away from his father, 77
He revealed he took five years establishing himself away from his father before approaching him to collaborate on the beloved series, Schitt’s Creek
‘I think there was a part of him that always wondered why I never came to him.
‘You know the culture, you know how easy it is to judge people who have grown up in the industry.’
He continued: ‘I had gone through high school life, to college, into MTV and they didn’t know who my dad was when I auditioned for MTV, and they didn’t know for five years.
‘And then, when I felt I had established my own relationship with the audience and had a successful television show, I felt like I had earned a place in the conversation, and that’s when I brought him into it.
‘It was only after that, when I had done the work, came up with the idea for Schitt’s Creek, that I knew I had what it took to carry my weight.’
‘When you’re in those situations, you almost have to do triple the work, justifiably so, to get to a place where you can go, as I did, to my dad and ask him to work for me.’
Schitt’s Creek premiered in 2015 and continued for six seasons, with its finale airing in 2020.
Some anti-nepo babies who have shunned showbiz for ‘proper’ jobs – as Gary Barlow reveals his son is pursuing a career in medicine
North West made her acting debut while performing as Young Simba during The Lion King’s 30th Anniversary concert last year (seen above, left) – but online trolls lashed out at the ten-year-old’s nepo-baby advantage. Lila Moss on the runway for the 2024 Victoria’s Secret’s Fashion Show last month, prompting comments from critics that she owes her modelling career to her famous mother Kate
Those accused of riding on their parents’ coattails argue that they have to graft even harder to prove they’re talented in their own right, but some children of famous parents have decided to apply that work ethic outside of the showbiz industry.
For instance, Take That star Gary Barlow recently revealed all three of his children are opting for a more studious path, explaining that his son Daniel, 24, and daughter Emily, 22, have decided to pursue careers in medicine and physiology respectively.
Celeb kids who don’t attempt to replicate their parents’ success in the same industry, perhaps conceding that they genuinely don’t have the same level of talent, often end up piggybacking on their success in a different way.
That might mean setting themselves up as ‘influencers’ or launching brands – Stella McCartney being the most famous example – but there’s a whole bunch who have opted for refreshingly normal career paths.
Two hugely famous Oscar nominated actors have sons who pursuing careers as chefs, while one of the world’s most beloved singers is rightly proud of his son who is a firefighter in New Jersey.
Here MailOnline reveals the perks of not becoming yet another nepo baby.
Gary Barlow’s son Daniel
Job: Medical student
The Take That star, 53, shares Daniel, 24, Emily, 22 and Daisy, 15, with wife of 25-years Dawn Andrews, but none of his three children have sought fame, despite their father’s huge success.
Instead opting to follow a more studious path, Gary’s eldest children Daniel and Emily have both decided to pursue careers in medicine and physiology respectively.
Gary revealed his youngest is still undecided on where her passions lie, but she is also studious like her siblings.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said ‘The two oldest ones [Daniel and Emily] have kind of gone into medicine and physiology – studying strength and conditioning – and my youngest one, Daisy, I’m not too sure what she’s heading for but again, she’s very studious… unlike me and my wife,’ he says.
‘I don’t think they will follow in my music footsteps but I wouldn’t have discouraged them though if they did want to, it’s been a good business for me’.
It’s unclear how Daniel’s career in medicine is unfolding, but it’s believed he graduated last year, with his proud parents Gary and Dawn by his side.
Gary has also spoken of his pride in his super-fit son for taking part in an Ironman challenge, saying: ‘We just couldn’t be prouder of our boy – unbelievable amounts of training and determination – when you put in the work you get the results.’
The Take That star, 53, shares Daniel, 24, Emily, 22 and Daisy, 15, with wife of 25-years Dawn Andrews, but none of his three children have sought fame, despite their father’s huge success
Brian May’s son Jimmy May
Job: Physiotherapist
He is one of the biggest musicians in the world, however the son of Queen guitarist Brian May has completely contrasted his dad’s rock and roll lifestyle.
Instead of touring the world, Jimmy May, who Brian shares with his first wife Chrissie Mullen, pursued a career as a physiotherapist.
The healthcare professional as worked at top Harley Street practices and even trained with Sarah Key, a physiotherapist to King Charles.
Working at a range of clinics throughout London, it is clear Jimmy inherited his scientific mind from his father who also studied Maths and Physics at Imperial College London and went on to complete a PhD in Astrophysics in 2007.
Instead of touring the world, Jimmy May, who Brian shares with his first wife Chrissie Mullen, pursued a career as a physiotherapist
Ulrika Jonsson’s daughter Bo Jonsson
Job: Nanny
Swedish-born Ulrika Jonsson rose to fame in the early 90s as a weather presenter before moving on to front the hit show Gladiators on ITV.
Yet her daughter, Bo, 23, has shunned this exciting life – after training to be a nanny for the rich and famous at the prestigious Norland College.
Back in April 2023 Ulrika, 57, shared snaps with her daughter after she graduated from her university course to become a nanny.
The TV star told how proud she was of her daughter – who was born with a congenital heart condition – for reaching the milestone after always struggling with academia.
Praising more ‘practical’ degrees and apprenticeships she said Bo was a ‘grafter and a doer’ as she shared snaps from the ceremony at prestigious Norland College -where the Prince and Princess of Wales’s childminder learned her craft.
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo – who looks after Prince William and Kate’s three young children, George, Charlotte and Louis – is also a graduate of the prestigious Bath nanny school.
The training costs £36,000 in total and includes martial arts training and stunt driving to its curriculum to cater for modern clients – many of whom are celebrities and the super-rich.
Ulrika Jonsson’s daughter Bo, 23, has shunned the showbiz life – after training to be a nanny for the rich and famous at the prestigious Norland College (pictured at her graduation in 2023)
She trained at the prestigious Norland College where the Prince and Princess of Wales ‘s childminder learned her craft
Bruce Springsteen’s son Sam
Job: Firefighter
Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen has released 21 studio albums throughout his six-decade long career.
Yet music didn’t appeal to his son Sam who became a firefighter in Jersey City in 2020.
Previously speaking to the New York Times about his son’s profession Bruce, 75, said: ‘It was a long road.
‘He was very dedicated for quite a few years and we are just excited for him today.’
Sam graduated from the Monmouth County Fire Academy in 2014, and then went on to work as a volunteer firefighter in Colts Neck, the area of New Jersey where he grew up.
His parents had front-row seats as he accepted his duties as a firefighter for the district.
He told ABC News at the time: ‘This is my son’s day, so I’m staying out of it.’
While Sam keeps his life private, Bruce’s wife Patti previously revealed that Sam had welcomed his first child in July 2022, Lily Harper Springsteen.
Music didn’t appeal to Bruce Springsteen’s son Sam who became a firefighter in Jersey City in 2020
Harrison Ford’s son Ben
Job: Chef
Harrison Ford regarded as a cinematic cultural icon with his films grossing more than $9.3 billion worldwide.
However despite his father’s huge success, his son Ben wasn’t tempted into a life in the spotlight and instead works as a chef in a low-key restaurant.
He founded Ford’s Filling Station in LAX airport in Los Angeles – which has a 3.5 star rating on Trip Advisor.
And he is also the founder of California Southland Doorstep Market, which promotes locally-grown products and hand-crafted goods.
Ben has previously spoken of how his dad helped inspire his passion for cooking.
He told the Mail: ‘My father was definitely around when I was growing up, and he likes to cook too.’
And he added: ‘Seeing how meticulous he was at his craft has stayed with me as a chef.’
Chef Ben and his father actor Harrison attend the Los Angeles Mission’s Christmas Eve for the homeless on December 24, 2012
Roger Taylor’s daughter Rory
Job: Doctor
Brian May’s son isn’t the only offspring of Queen to enter the health sector after Roger Taylor’s daughter Rory pursued a career as a doctor.
Unlike Roger’s son Rufus who has followed in his father’s footsteps as a drummer, Rory works for the NHS as a west London GP.
Rory has a Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and actively encourages people to check their boobs so they can be proactive about early signs of cancer through her work with CoppaFeel.
She’s one of the breast cancer charity’s Medical Advisory Group members and has complteted a 60 mile, five-day trek across the Sahara to raise funds in November last year.
‘The most challenging part was trying to find the time to wear in my hiking boots in between work and life as a busy new mum, so I resorted to wearing them around the house and on nursery drop-offs,’ she said.
During the Covid pandemic, she was regularly featured on Channel Four news, where she spoke about restrictions and the fact hand sanitiser had been going missing.
Brian May’s son isn’t the only offspring of Queen to enter the health sector after Roger Taylor’s daughter Rory pursued a career as a doctor
Rory has a Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and actively encourages people to check their boobs so they can be proactive about early signs of cancer through her work with CoppaFeel
Anna Wintour’s son Charles Shaffer:
Job: Doctor
Charles Shaffer could have capitalized on the celebrity kudos that comes with being the son of fashion icon and long-time Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
But Charles, 39, has shied away from the limelight and instead opted to become a doctor – following in the footsteps of his father who was a longtime professor of child psychiatry.
Charles got his undergraduate degree in Modern History at Oxford University, England, before returning to New York to complete his medical degree at Columbia University.
Having worked in hospitals across the US, he holds the position of Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Attending Psychiatrist at Weill Cornell.
Speaking in 2020, Anna gave a rare insight into her personal life as she revealed that Charles had become ‘very ill’ while treating Covid patients during the pandemic.
Sharing the news in a video posted on the Vogue Instagram account at the time, she said: ‘My son is a doctor. He is currently quite ill and self quarantining at home but when he is able, he will return to the ICU at his hospital.
‘I am so proud of him and so grateful to all the health workers, first responders, nurses and doctors who are fighting to reduce the spread of the virus and to save lives.’
Charles Shaffer could have capitalized on the celebrity kudos that comes with being the son of fashion icon and long-time Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, but instead he became a doctor
Bill Murray’s son Homer
Job: Chef
Ghostbusters’ actor Bill Murray’s son Homer strayed from the acting path as he also headed to the kitchen to pursue his career.
Homer Murray initially worked as a photo assistant and had the opportunity to travel extensively, sampling a whole host of cuisines, which is how he discovered the love of cooking.
Upon his return to the US, he opened his own restaurant in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn in 2012.
Now called 21 Greenpoint, and having received a Michelin star, it serves a range of dishes including fried calamari, pork collar and the Spaghetti Meg Ryan.
When the restaurant first opened, the actor, 74, was seen tending the bar and pouring shots for guests.
The Lost In Translation actor reportedly told the rowdy revellers: ‘I am so happy… that he has not continued in the family business.’
Ghostbusters’ actor Bill Murray’s son Homer strayed from the acting path as he also headed to the kitchen to pursue his career
Speaking to the New York Post at the time, Homer said: ‘[My dad] has been very supporting of me.
‘He didn’t do this because I asked him to. He didn’t do this because he thought it would drum up business. He did this because he wanted to. That’s the beauty of it.’
On the restaurant’s website, Homer has a photo alongside his famous father with a quote from the actor that reads: ‘Homer has taken the joy of the family to have a drink, have a meal, and have friends together in one place, and made it his life’s work.’
Robert De Niro’s son Raphael
Job: Real Estate Broker
Raphael De Niro, 46, is the eldest son of acting legend Robert – but he has proved to be incredibly successful in his own right.
Growing up, he showed great entrepreneurial spirit, working various summer jobs including at a Persian rug store, as a doorman, and as a busboy at his father’s Nobu restaurant.
Raphael, whose parents divorced when he was just a pre-teen, later attended New York University but did not end up graduating.
Early signs suggested he would follow in his father’s acting footsteps after making a handful of on-screen appearances but he eventually decided to break away from the family tradition.
Instead, he found his feet as a real estate broker in New York and worked his way up in the property industry.
Raphael eventually founded his own team under the Douglas Elliman real estate umbrella in 2004.
The De Niro group soon became the company’s top earning team, bringing in an average of more than $250million in sales to the company annually.
And Raphael counts famous faces such as Renee Zellweger and Kelly Ripa among his client base.
Raphael De Niro, 46, is the eldest son of acting legend Robert – but he has proved to be incredibly successful in his own right as an real estate broker
Willem Dafoe’s son Jack
Job: Environmentalist
Willem Dafoe, 67, has had a legendary Hollywood career, having won several Academy Awards and BAFTAS.
Yet despite his famous dad and his director mother Elizabeth LeCompte, Jack has focussed on a different path – using legal skills to have save the environment.
He previously worked in public policy as a Senior Policy and Research Associate at the New York City Apollo Alliance, which seeks to catalyse a clean energy revolution that will put millions of Americans back to work.
He now works as Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources Division in Maine, New England.
According to thethings.com, he earns roughly $600,000 from his work – a hefty pay packet but not as much as his dad’s.
Perhaps his love of the natural world comes from his father, who has said he avoids eating meat because of the damage it does to the planet.
He told Foodiamo in 2018: ‘I don’t eat meat. I admire vegans, but I’m only a vegetarian.
‘I like to eat fish once in while, but I don’t eat meat anymore because animal farms are one of the main causes of the destruction of the planet.’
Yet despite his famous dad and his director mother Elizabeth LeCompte, Jack has focussed on a different path – using legal skills to have save the environment
