Nepo Baby Lily Allen incites anger as she points the finger at nepotism in the legal and political industries
Many are taking to Twitter to express their disdain for the nepo baby-heavy industry that is Hollywood. The conversation has been hitting headlines following New York Magazine’s cover ‘Extremely Overanalyzing Hollywood’s Nepo-Baby Boom’, as well as the recent statements from some of the arts industry’s most prolific nepo babies. Lily Allen, daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, is the latest to have her say.
She first tweeted to let people know that we should actually be worried about the nepo babies “working for legal firms, the ones working for banks, and the ones working in politics”, going on to say that “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.
Many have reacted to what is proving to be a hot topic, sparking the conversation about representation in the arts industry from different backgrounds. “You started your career in a time where the media was definitely cruel and had no filter towards female artists, yet you managed to release masterpieces, that’s because you might be a nepo baby, but with undeniable talent,” wrote one Twitter user. “Nepotism does a huge disservice to poorer artistic communities, who often receive little to no representation. Many people are forced to choose financial security over following their dreams,” said another.
Both Lily Allen and her brother Alfie have reached successes in the arts, as she has received number 1s and Brit Awards and her sibling found his calling in acting — known for roles in Game of Thrones and John Wick. Allen explained, after her finger-pointing, that the point she made was expressed “badly”, and that the conversation should be steered towards “wider, societal conversation to be had about wealth inequality, about lack of programs and funding”.
“Look, I seem to have riled people up with my comments about nepo babies,” wrote Allen yesterday. “‘I am nearly 40 years of age and am more than happy, in fact I think it’s important to disclose what a privileged upbringing I’ve had and how that has created so many opportunities for me.”
The trending topic is targeting names in Hollywood, including Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of actor Johnny Depp and singer Vannessa Paradis, who said the label she has been given is sexist. Zoe Kravitz, daughter of singer Lenny Kravitz and actor Lisa Bonet, has said being a nepo baby means she is viewed as lesser than, and Maude Apatow, daughter of director Judd Apatow and actor Leslie Mann expressed her awareness of her “lucky position”. Others in the conversation include the likes of Ben Platt, Dakota Johnson and Willow Smith.
