Do you really know? What are nepo babies?
Dec 7, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of 'nepo babies'—children of famous parents who gain advantages in Hollywood. Explore how a New York magazine cover sparked the term and captivated public attention. Discover Gen Z's surprised reactions to nepotism and the social media frenzy that followed. Hear celebrity responses ranging from guilt to defensiveness about their privileged status. Finally, examine the backlash and calls for humility surrounding these young stars, exploring the cultural impact of the 'nepo baby' label.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Origin And Gen Z Discovery
- The term 'nepo baby' comes from nepotism and labels celebs whose parents gave them a career head start.
- Gen Z widely noticed this trend in 2022, treating it like a revelation about meritocracy.
Viral Tweet Sparked The Conversation
- Online discussions spiked after a viral tweet about Maud Apatow being a nepotism baby during Euphoria season 2.
- TikTok users then dug up many more examples, making the phenomenon feel like a discovered conspiracy.
Meritocracy Disillusionment
- Many Gen Zers felt disillusioned because nepotism contradicted their belief in meritocracy.
- The discovery felt especially jarring because they often didn't know the parents' fame from earlier eras.