Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of actor Johnny Depp and model Vanessa Paradis, is facing backlash online after she made comments in an interview regarding claims that she is a "nepo baby."
The term refers to the word "nepotism," which means "favoritism (as in appointment to a job) based on kinship," as defined by Merriam-Webster. Many famous people whose parents are in Hollywood have been accused of nepotism over the years, and many more have spoken out about the challenges they've faced despite being born into privilege, including Ireland Baldwin, Kendall Jenner, Lily Collins and others.
On Wednesday, Elle published an interview with Lily-Rose, in which the 23-year-old model and actor discussed being raised in the spotlight.
"The internet cares a lot more about who your family is than the people who are casting you in things," she told the magazine. "Maybe you get your foot in the door, but you still just have your foot in the door. There's a lot of work that comes after that."
She continued, "It's weird to me to reduce somebody to the idea that they're only there because it's a generational thing. It just doesn't make any sense.
"If somebody's mom or dad is a doctor, and then the kid becomes a doctor, you're not going to be like, 'Well, you're only a doctor because your parent is a doctor.' It's like, 'No, I went to medical school and trained.'"
The comments sparked backlash online from fans.
"This is the problem with rich people born into privilege. They have literally no perspective on what the average person has to do to just get the resources and opportunities they were born with," one user commented, garnering over 46,000 likes.
This is the problem with rich people born into privilege. They have literally no perspective on what the average person has to do to just get the resources and opportunities they were born with.
— 𝒥𝒶𝓈𝓂𝒾𝓃🐷 (@jasminpigemoji) November 16, 2022
"Why do nepo babies always deny their privilege? Like girl you're rich. Your money and status has contributed to your career and that's okay...," another added in a comment.
"I know we all love a good self-made girlie story but lily-rose depp is absolutely not that," one user wrote.
i know we all love a good self-made girlie story but lily-rose depp is absolutely not that https://t.co/r0WEhpAaQA
— reia (@dostheyevsky) November 16, 2022
"Lily-Rose Depp is complaining abt people calling her a nepotism kid when she's 5'2" and walking for Chanel lmao GIRL," another tweeted.
"This girl is so out of touch my god," one person wrote on Twitter.
The reported daughter of Jack Nicholson shared a series of Instagram story posts as well slamming Lily-Rose's comments.
"Things could be worse girl trust me!!" wrote 28-year-old Tessa Gourin. "I'd be thrilled to use my 'nepo baby' title (that I can't claim bc it isn't considered 'legitimate') if it meant I could get in the room and showcase my talent and craft. Do you know how hard it is to even get an audition?! Let alone an agent/manager?! Now we're gonna cry about that??!!!"
Newsweek reached out to a representative for Lily-Rose Depp for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Emma Mayer is a Newsweek Culture Writer based in Wyoming. Her focus is reporting on celebrities, books, movies, and music. ... Read more
