Ah, nepo babies. The term has been omnipresent in pop culture ever since Vulture launched it into the zeitgeist with its December 2022 cover line, “She has her mother’s eyes. And agent.”
The corresponding article—a family tree of sorts which traced the familial connections of the glitterati—not only went viral, but underscored *just* how many famous people have famous families.
We all know Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Jaden Smith and Brooklyn Beckham come from the world of celebrity—but what about the A-list offspring that fly under the radar?
Did you know that everyone’s favourite (or at least, favourite to hate) British indie-rock frontman is the son of a soap star? Or that some of young Hollywood’s most in-demand actors and actresses are related to Hollywood royalty? Scroll on for all the stars you probably didn’t know are nepo babies.
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What Is a Nepo Baby?
Short for nepotism baby, a nepo baby refers to people whose parents or other family members have found success in careers similar or related to theirs. The idea is that their relatives’ connections and/or status gave the offspring a leg up, helping them get a foot in the door and build a career in that industry.
While the concept can pertain to any industry, it is most commonly used when discussing the creative industries, particularly entertainment and fashion.
nepo babies...
At a glance, some famous people you *probably* didn’t know were nepo babies include:
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Matty Healy
- Amelia Gray
- Timothée Chalamet
- Maya Hawke
- Zoe Kravitz
- Dakota Johnson
- Lily Collins
- Gracie Abrams
Scroll on for more!
01
Gwyneth Paltrow, actress
Given she’s a literal Oscar winner, there’s no denying Gwyneth Paltrow’s talent as an actress. She certainly got some pointers from her mum, actor Blythe Danner, who was the recipient of two Primetime Emmys and a Tony Award. Her father, Bruce Paltrow, was also a name in entertainment, having worked as a director and producer.
Gwyneth previously hit out against the term, calling nepo baby an “ugly moniker” in an interview with Bustle.
“There’s this judgement that exists around kids of famous people,” said the actress and Goop founder, who shares two children of her own with Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin. “But there’s nothing wrong with doing or wanting to do what your parents do.”
02
Dakota Johnson, actress
Actress and style maven Dakota Johnson is the daughter of two actors: Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
03
Matty Healy, singer
The 1975 frontman may put up a tough front, but Matty Healy grew up… well off. His mother is actress and TV personality, Denise Welch. Denise is best known for her role in British soap, Coronation Street, as well as being a panelist on ITV’s Loose Women.
04
Gracie Abrams, singer
Grammy-nominated singer, Gracie Abrams doesn’t have a familial link to music, per se, but her dad *is* JJ Abrams, the celebrated filmmaker and composer who is to thank Star Trek, Star Wars and more major sci-fi projects.
05
Timothée Chalamet, actor
Okay, while Timothée Chalamet didn’t inherit his acting skills from his parents, they are both involved in the industry. His mum Nicole Flender was a Broadway dancer, and his dad, Marc Chalamet, is a writer.
06
Tracee Ellis Ross, actress
Tracee Ellis Ross is totally iconic, but *maybe* not quite as iconic as her mum: disco legend, Diana Ross. Her dad, Robert Ellis Silberstein, is also in the music biz, having worked as a music executive.
07
Amelia Gray, model
Amelia Gray has been tipped to be the next Bella Hadid, and the pair have more in common than their modelling chops. Amelia, who has graced magazine covers and runways aplenty this year, is the daughter of actress and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rina, and actor and author Harry Hamlin.
08
Maya Hawke, actress & musician
Musician and actress Maya Hawke, of Stranger Things and Inside Out 2 fame, is a fantastic actress. It’s not wonder, given her parents are screen icons Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke.
09
Margaret Qualley, actress
Margaret Qualley and Andie McDowell acted together in Maid, but did you know they’re related IRL? Like, super related, actually… Andie is Margaret’s mum.
10
Zoë Kravitz, actress
*Yes* she shares a surname with her uber-famous dad, but given Zoë Kravitz has established herself as an all-star actress and director, it’s easy to forget she was born into fame. Zoë’s dad is rocker Lenny Kravitz (of leather pants fame) and her mum is actress Lisa Bonet.
11
Jack Quaid, actor
Jack Quaid—who has appeared in The Boys, The Hunger Games, Oppenheimer and more—is the son of big-time actors Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid.
12
Lori Harvey, model
Yep, model Lori Harvey doesn’t just share a surname with Steve Harvey—the TV host is, in fact, her dad.
13
Lily Collins, actress
Oui, Emily In Paris star Lily Collins is one of the nepo babies! The actress is the daughter of English singer, songwriter, record producer and actor, Phil Collins.
14
Jake Gyllenhaal, actor
Jake Gyllenhaal’s parents aren’t exactly actors like him, but they are both film industry legends. Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, his mum, is a screenwriter and director, and his dad, Stephen Gyllenhaal is both a director and poet.
15
Maude Apatow, actress
Maude Apatow, of Euphoria fame, is the eldest child of actress Leslie Mann and director and prodicer Judd Apatow.
