Nepo baby: Short for nepotism baby, refers to individuals whose careers benefit from their parents' established connections, often seen in celebrity or political contexts.
Usually carries a pejorative connotation, suggesting the person's success is unearned.
Origin and Popularity
Term gained traction following a Twitter post about actress Maude Apatow, daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann.
"Nepotism baby" was used in early 2010s, shortened to "nepo baby" around 2020.
Became popular on social media in 2022, especially after Maude Apatow's role in Euphoria and a related tweet.
New York Magazine highlighted "The Year of the Nepo Baby" in 2022, further popularizing the term.
Media Coverage
Covered by publications like CNN, The New York Times, Vox, Forbes, and The Guardian.
Various celebrities have responded to their classification as "nepo babies," with mixed reactions.
Celebrity Reactions
Zoë Kravitz, Kaia Gerber, Lily-Rose Depp, and others have commented on being labeled as nepo babies.
Some, like Hailey Bieber, have embraced the term, while others like Hopper Penn reject it.
Analysis and Criticism
Debate exists over who qualifies as a nepo baby, with examples like Shedeur Sanders and Lena Dunham being discussed.
Columbia University professor Shai Davidai notes that nepo babies challenge the American dream narrative by highlighting the role of family wealth and connections.
Critics argue that the term is over-applied or linked too broadly with social privilege.
Lily-Rose Depp criticized the term as sexist, a claim disputed by The Guardian.
Related Concepts
Industry Baby: A term used for celebrities with parents who had some industry success, providing their children with connections.
Examples include Billie Eilish, Meghan Markle, Lena Dunham, Chris Pine, and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Notable Debates
Some argue that nepotism undermines meritocracy, citing actors like Adam Driver as counterexamples of success through talent and luck.
Penn Jillette criticized the term as a tool for internet resentment, especially when applied to his son.
Fernanda Torres pointed out that the nepo baby debate diverts from real issues of inequality, which aren't solved by addressing nepotism alone.