Nepo Babies are the symbol of our broken meritocracy

[@jamesgomez9151]

I just don't like when people that come from excessive privilege try to lecture everyone else on how to overcome hardships and hard work.

[@lstarsabb]

Right Kim K " Get up and work" comment will always get me heated

[@aelinorholloway3669]

@@lstarsabb ughh, that comment pisses me off, I've had to fight tooth and nail for the successes I've had in my life. But people like her just write me off, because I'm on welfare and I have an invisible disability, so I must be lazy and work shy.🙄

[@patriciazandilencube4597]

That's one of my biggest pet peeves. How dare you, with your ready-made success starter-kit lecture people who come from zero wealth, zero contacts, zero opportunities, few positive mentors and little social support, tell them that they aren't working hard enough? TFOH!

[@danielledocherty2058]

What annoys me about that comment is not just the irony of the fact they use people up and spit them out once they aren't doing the utmost being a slave to them but when they think that just work makes it. Tell that to their cleaners cover 14 hours days 5/6 days a week. Just because you work hard and long hour does not mean you will be rolling in it. For all of us we need connection and a shit load of luck to make it happen for us so kim k can suck my big toe

[@tastegeorgia674]

Like the Kardashians

[@sarahroddey2937]

My big issue with nepo babies really is just when they try to deny that it helped their careers at all because that denial continues to peddle the idea that anyone can make it in Hollywood if they work hard enough and a lot of people throw away their whole lives trying to get their big break. I wish nepo babies would just be open and honest like Jamie Lee Curtis.

[@herefortheshrimp1469]

It reminds me of those huge weightlifters who take steroids going on social media and telling their following that they can achieve the same body by just working hard and eating - then those ppl get body dysmorphia because they cant do it no matter the work! Telling ppl that they can definitely achieve something you got mainly because of HUGE help is harmful!

[@lateralhistory]

My big issue is that they're not a rarity. A few, we could all stomach. They're EVERYWHERE now, in a way that wasn't true even 20 or 30 years ago. Meritocracy is so utterly dead there is no alternative to root for. Every nepo baby who doesn't see the problem should be put on the spot to name ten non nepo babies succeeding right now in their industry. 10 people who got where they are without mommy and daddy's help. And not someone who came up in a different time, like Mary J Blige or Eminem. A peer. Even the "humble" and "talented" nepos couldn't do it. And that's the issue that makes me less inclined to cut any of them any slack.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@lateralhistory honestly, I’m sure there’s others, but the only counter-example I can think of is Jon Hamm. And that’s baaad. The way his story gets talked-about, that no one would know about him if he hasn’t landed the role in his final weeks of trying, just makes me wonder how many other actors have been passed-up for someone with more “name recognition”.

[@madinp1177]

Exactly. What they don't realise is that the hardest part of "making it" in the industry is getting the audition. Those without connections literally have to work about five times as hard just to get their foot in the door while the famous parent just held the same door wide open for their nepo baby.

[@Overseer2579]

Right. Like, Jamie Lee Curtis might have been born to two VERY famous actors of her time, but she seems like she’s very humble and grateful for the privilege she had in forging her career

[@coreysmith733]

Nepotism Babies love to say their parents got them in the room, but their "talent" kept them there. Getting in the room is THE point. Everyone struggling wants to be in THE ROOM.

[@lateralhistory]

Yet they can't name a time they lost out to someone who wasn't a nepo baby like them. There are no non nepo babies in their world, and they don't think that's odd. They don't even notice

[@jeremyud]

I'm pretty sure Emma Roberts mentioned losing out to Jennifer Lawrence for the Hunger Games.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@lateralhistory of course - when all their friends from their expensive private academy also have celebrity parents, they think it’s totally normal. Maybe some of them rationalise it by thinking about how eg the Brunels were master engineers for generations, and think “so long as I do some good work it’s totally fine”.

[@wetnesday]

@@jeremyud that's because jennifer lawrence was still connected with harvey weinstein at that time lol

[@xtxpxhx]

I mean how much if their talent is really theirs.. privileged education, private lessons and master classes from your relatives must account for building up that talent as well ..plus knowing how to play the social game and having the contacts at your disposal. Them saying their talent kept them wherever, show how out of touch these people really are. I mean it's call working💀

[@StevieDecks]

Lena Dunham and Kim Kardashian were the most annoying ones. It’s not just denying nepotism helped them, but the defensiveness and outright snarky remarks about it. Kim K telling people to “get off your ass and work” is an insult to everyone who doesn’t have the same privileges she has.

[@Overseer2579]

Yeah, exactly. And that’s INSANELY ironic coming from Kim Kardashian, who hasn’t worked to earn ANYTHING that she has

[@Savagemode09]

To be fair for Kim she did you know work and she did work for under his sister too and that was Paris Hilton and then she used to organize like closets and so so I still make that as a real job.

[@drimms8060]

@@Savagemode09 you couldn't miss the point more

[@biancalizardo2544]

@@Savagemode09 i don't know if you are aware that Kim Kardashian comes from a very wealthy celebrity family. Her father a high profile lawyer( lived in same neighborhoods n befriend celebrities in L.A) , her stepfather (Bruce/Caitlin Jenner) an olympian, considered one of the best athlete's Ever. Meaning she's already running in very different circles, just bc she was trying the closet stylist at first trying to find what she was going to do, she had many doors opened for her. N the hardest working person there it's her mom.

[@merry_christmas]

I'm not easily offended but that comment will keep pissing me off until my dying day. Imagine you're so distanced from society that you're deaf to the thousands of us working multiple jobs day and night just to survive. Working hard is perhaps the least decisive factor in achieving success. The fact that she genuinely thinks "putting in a little effort" is enough says everything about the people she's surrounded herself with.

[@Lee-qf9dz]

The Kardashian children pretending like they built themselves up from the ground is the joke of the century.

[@kittykatz4001]

The ppl who support the Kardashian/Jenners and made them wealthy and keep them relevant are worse than they are…😮

[@dhsf5937]

They actually built,Kim K wasn't a billionare or was born famous.

[@M.A.C.01]

@@dhsf5937yeah through scandal and drama

[@lisacu134t6y]

​@@dhsf5937 they should thank there dad for that if it wasnt for him we wouldnt know this people kim k dad was oj simpson lawyer

[@josem588]

@@lisacu134t6y as a Mexican I thought only we and the other former Spanish colonies had nepotism

[@etherealtb6021]

But getting your foot in the door is the HARDEST part! People come to L.A. and spend YEARS trying to find a legit agent who can get them to real, PAYING auditions. That's not a small thing.

[@ShailaBano]

The introductions, the networks… all worth their weight in gold. No one talks about that because there isn’t a easy monetary value to assign to it, but it’s perhaps the most important

[@etherealtb6021]

@@ShailaBano It is SO important. It is true it won't get you hired, but if you can't get to legit auditions, WTH?

[@Music_Lover0612]

I always found it a coincidence how movies have these huge auditions and the child who gets it is always related to someone famous.

[@ShailaBano]

@@Music_Lover0612 don’t even get me started on that. I’ve been in audition rooms where they literally read the names of their “top picks” to director on the phone while we sat in the room waiting to audition for that same part. All in the name of “look at is being fair and offering equal opportunities to everyone” We’re used to check a box so someone who’s a “family friend” can get the part

[@Dianeediegoo]

@@ShailaBano girl I work for a studio and the amount of crew who’s parents also worked in the industry is huge too. I happen to have a friend who got me in, by sheer luck. Even the unions have nepotism issues

[@mauve9266]

I assume for a lot of people the big problem comes when they don’t acknowledge their privilege or if they’re talentless. Like you can excuse a talented cognisant nepo baby cos fair enough but the ones who either are lacking in talent or are convinced they somehow made it on their own… It’s usually them I’ve seen people take issue with. I think most people would admit if they had a famous well connected dad they’d be milking the hell out of that cow

[@BTCBlizzy]

But the thing about entertainment is, you can’t fake talent forever. In fact, their aren’t many families in the business compared to the number of of famous, well known actors/actresses.

[@tobiaslawrence8928]

I know if be milking it

[@karinareis64]

That’s always been my biggest issue. I don’t care if they come from privilege as long as they know and understand how this made their career easier. There’s no shame in that.

[@meridoughten9425]

yeah... i have to admit the person who always comes to mind for me is Dakota Johnson. When I watched her on screen, it was like "who hired this actress?? Oh, her parents are both famous actors, makes sense now..." lol. I don't even think we KNOW most nepo babies unless either they mention it themselves or they are so bad at their job that it raises suspicion 😆 lol

[@ComedyGuardianWarriorsFOHlulz]

The funny thing is that people will hate This and call put what you're talking about but be deluded enough to think white/male/straight privilege doesn't exist/is impossible. 🤣

[@heyidaroo]

I think back to how most of the top 10 students in my public high school, after graduating college in 2009 (some of them 2008) immediately were clearing 6 figure salaries working for big social media companies as engineers during the big social media & technology boom of the 2000s… all of them in high school had computers and technology NO ONE else could afford. This gave them the time and resources to hone their technological skills, which gave them a leg up in getting into elite colleges, and were able to get very high paying jobs in Silicone Valley. Money buys success in more ways than we realize.

[@BTCBlizzy]

Computers weren’t pricey in 2009 😂 you could’ve gotten one from a pawn shop. And what tech did they have? Lol

[@heyidaroo]

@@BTCBlizzy I’m talking $2500 MacBook Pros AND iMac and access to coding and engineering lessons. We’re also talking high school from 2001-2005 (pre IPad, iPhone, and social media) Also I don’t personally care. I do not enjoy tech work. I did office work for a while and it was suffocating for me. But there were many brilliant kids in my school who got left behind

[@lmfao7224]

You're right. I was privileged enough as a child to be gifted a $1,400 iMac for Christmas when I was 11, which allowed me to learn how to code/programming from a young age. I'm 19 now and I'm making around $200k a year while still in college from coding. That simply would have not been possible had my parents not been able to afford not only the computer but all the other stuff I was afford. Money aside, even just having a supportive family that allowed me to explore my creativity and talents in a safe and comforting environment is why I am where I am now. I'm not trying to brag or anything, I'm not rich per say, but I could be in the near future and all of that is because I was privileged enough as a child to have money to be able to buy/afford opportunities. Part of the reason why I believe nobody is truly self made. You got help somewhere along the way and without that help you wouldn't be anywhere you are now.

[@JamesDecker7]

@@lmfao7224 just remember your starting opportunities and see what you can give back to your community / society and create a positive cycle! There should never be shame for those who stand on the shoulders of good fortune, only for those who then refuse to use that to ACTIVELY benefit the world.

[@CM-pf1xc]

Yep

[@SSM654]

As someone who works in the film industry, I'm so against nepo babies. Hollywood is becoming even more of a gatekeeping community which is tragic because acting, directing, etc...is an art and there is legit talent out there that doesn't come from producers/actors kids that will and can be the next big thing the next talent to create such an amazing profession yet we fall back to nepo babies. I can't agree with it, regardless of there "talent" they are literally taking a spot away form someone who has worked for it way more than they can even imagine.

[@free22]

Taking spots away. That’s exactly what they are doing.

[@SSM654]

@@free22 Yup.

[@fabsmaster5309]

Talent, whether it’s natural or the result of hard work, is what should matter most. If a nepo baby is truler more talented than someone who has worked harder, they should get the part because it makes for a better film. Of course, that is rarely the case. If you look at the NBA, which is more meritocratic, because a lack of talent will be quickly exposed a little under 2% of players have fathers or grandfathers who played in the league. So I imagine in a world where casting was based purely on talent, about 2% would be nepo babies.

[@SSM654]

@@fabsmaster5309 I agree with the sports comments though acting/directing/ producing is so different. I think regardless of talent in the film world it just creates such a gatekeeping community.

[@AmandaabnamA]

A gatekeepering community or a cess pit.. How much films nowadaya quality bc ppl care and are passionate and how much is it going through the motions just for profit? They won't even allow new stories to be told but just remakes and bad copys like these nepo babies are. It's literally bleeding hollywood dry.

[@simonnadja2804]

Being French, I used to admire (and, I admit, be a bit proud of) Lea Seydoux. At such a young age, what a career ! She was even a James Bond girl. Then, I learnt that she was from two of the richest French families, grand-daughter of the CEO of Pathe (a French leading company in cinema), linked to several celebrities and businessmen/women. And I was like "oh...of course".

[@MsDiMera2]

I have to agree on Jane Fonda she has always used her privilege to speak out where less connected people would be afraid to. She was ahead of her time on the Vietnam war, feminism , civil rights etc

[@kahkah1986]

she could afford to be though. less well connected people have the fear of losing everything, so when they do speak it means more.

[@meridoughten9425]

@@kahkah1986 yeah.... and look at allllllllllll the other people who could "afford" to be outspoken on radical political issues and yet did nothing. Her activism is not worth LESS just because she's privledged. Some could even argue it could be valued MORE because Jane Fonda has every ability to tune out to all the unpleasantness of the world and enjoy all the best things in life money can buy her. But instead she's STILL a vocal political activist at 84.

[@kahkah1986]

@@meridoughten9425 if you will lose your life or your career (not necessarily just a job) and you still speak out/ refuse to back down, that is more powerful, always, than someone who has nothing really to lose saying the same things. It isn't necessarily a criticism of what the person has said, just an observation on why they can say it. JF knows she has a more protected position when she makes controversial statements. Of course, as you say, not everyone in her position has made them, although arguably it is bc they actually don't agree with her, as members of the establishment they hold more establishment views, not that they couldn't be bothered to protest at all. See John Wayne for example, in comparison with Marlon Brando.

[@TheSkyHazCloudz]

@@kahkah1986 Yes, absolutely! But many who could also afford to did not, and wouldn't you agree that those who are able, ought to? So I don't understand why you've framed this as a detraction.

[@TheSkyHazCloudz]

@@kahkah1986 Just saw this reply after my initial comment; MANY celebrities who had the security to speak up and agreed with a given issue haven't. Taylor Swift was famous for saying nothing about every single social issue for the first 10 years of her career, even though we now know she has progressive views. You can't just speculate that a valid counterargument to your point probably doesn't actually exist because that would be inconvenient, dude.

[@toneriggz]

Entertainment wise, it doesn’t bother me if they create great art. But knowing actual trust fund babies hasn’t always been pleasant. The entitlement and obliviousness is disturbing.

[@thirstwithoutborders995]

Honestly, it doesn't matter as much if they are good at what they do, but I think this had led to people being such bad actors, musicians and producers. Most actors feed off something they have experienced, as do writers. If what everyone has experienced is very limited, like their privileged lifestyle, the acting becomes basic and robotic. And let's not talk about how scripts are chosen, because they only feel connected to a limited number of stories.

[@wvu05]

I once knew someone in college who whined that his dad "only" made $250,000/year. Take a zero away, and my dad didn't make that until he was 48. Needless to say, we didn't get along.

[@interestedobserver]

Honestly, I found this video insulting. People get upset about nepo babies as they have been personally affected by them. It is nice that Jane Fonda advocates for important issues but the nepo baby who affects us more is Donald Trump

[@wvu05]

@@interestedobserver It seemed like the video was going somewhere, and then it backed away at the last minute.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Initials NB Your Father

[@nachoyoutube2732]

The craziest thing is that most celebrities are "nepo babies". The most known ones are the children of great actors, but even the ones who are not from a 'dynasty' have a parent/relative that is connected to the industry in some way. It's very strange to see a real outsider triumph as a celebrity.

[@gracevanhoomissen1971]

THIS. Everyone's aware of the ones with relatives with name recognition but look up any random actor and they're probably related to a producer, cinematographer, set designer, or someone...

[@nachoyoutube2732]

@@gracevanhoomissen1971 this ☝🏻

[@alarrim29574]

Well to be fair a lot of times children are more likely too pursue careers in things their parents did or similar to what their parents did

[@sailorspills3025]

And lots of them claim to “come from poverty” in order to get people to like them

[@mariemeldron2984]

Roseanne and Bill Cosby did it.

[@Kereru]

If I'm being brutally honest, when I first saw Maude Apatow in film I had no idea who she was but I do remember wondering how this nice, but normal looking, averagely talented actress managed to stand out from the crowd to snag such a big role. This is how I feel about most nepo babies. Some are genuinely exceptional, but the vast majority are given a pass for just being ordinarily good at their jobs, in way that just wouldn't cut it for normal people going after the same thing. They don't just get the door opened for them, they get to play by an easier set of rules and we should be speaking out about that.

[@glamglam8347]

not to mention a director would rather chose "the girls whos mom is famous" over sally who worked at a fast food place, spent years saving up for acting school, and finally got to an audition. the industry is turning into "it about who you know"

[@1MegArbo]

Maude Apatow is the least of my nepo kids worries. Have you SEEN Dakota Johnson? She can't act her way out of a wet paper bag.

[@FuzzyKittenBoots]

Yes, they are allowed to be average or, in some cases, downright awful. Just look at Cara Delevingne. She is absolutely beautiful but in a 2012-2014 trend way and in no way is she a classic beauty. She also has no acting talent and still, despite that, she is given more chances than any actress who didn't have a wealthy father and nobility on both sides of the family could dream of.

[@FuzzyKittenBoots]

@@1MegArbo I didn't know that but know it makes sense that she had no problem standing up to Ellen. I always wondered about that considering Johnson wasn't that big of a star yet at the time.

[@muffinator1239]

@@1MegArbo Dakota is genuinely good. She just gets bad roles.

[@Free-g8r]

I'm surprised Lily Collins escaped the crosshairs of this video. As the lead actress on Emily in Paris and daughter of singer Phil Collins. And Jane Fonda is awesome in her own right despite being a nepo baby.

[@tosinakin2508]

@James G You missed a large part of the video, didn't you?

[@skyward7903]

@James G you missed the point by a hemisphere dude

[@skyward7903]

She's still in the industry and popular and her series had gotten Emmy noms despite everything being shit. Surprised she wasn't mentioned. But then again, most of the industry is sadly nepo kids, would take too much time naming them all lmao

[@edithputhy4948]

@James G how can you miss the point so badly? being Phil fucking collins daughter almost makes her a celebrity by default, he doesn't have to pull strings for that

[@katieshiner]

so glad you picked this topic. I've been noticing nepotism all around, not just in entertainment. Glad to have a discussion about it!

[@barbiquearea]

Nepotism is everywhere and is a fact of life whether its in business, show business or politics. However it is still more meritocratic than your regular cushy office job. Because while nepo babies can use their parents' fame and connections to land huge roles that they are not deserving of. If they don't pull off a good performance, they won't be sought after as much in the future because in show business, a good performance is king.

[@Aaron-kj8dv]

Yeah people hate it in Hollywood because it's the easiest place to spot it, but we at least intuitively know its everywhere. Like in MI a congressman John Conyers had to resign for sexual harassment and the 2 people running for his seat? His son and his nephew. Pelosi too, grooming her daughter. That's without going into the business world and universities. People climb the ladder then push it over so no one else can then let their failure children reap the spoils.

[@zitronentee]

That's the point of business relations and reviews. Having connection is always a big plus, regardless blood related or not.

[@1MegArbo]

I used to work for an MLB ball club. One guy had a long-running paid internship and EVERYONE figured he was going to FINALLY get hired fulltime. Then he wound up training one of the owners' sons. Guess who got the full time job? He sucked at it, too, but that is beside the point. The intern went on to work at another MLB club.

[@nickbrown2113]

I know this girl who graduated computer engineering by dating smart guys and making them do her assignments. She got a job right away because her dad knew someone. Her job responsibilities apparently were simple and easy to do, She was asking help from my friend who finished computer science. He was shocked that she did not know how to do something as simple as the job entailed and was telling me he is surprised she graduated without knowing how to do it.

[@xtxpxhx]

I love that in the face of inequality the message is adjust your expectations. Almost like, know your place.

[@lateralhistory]

And wait for one of the "good" rich people to throw you a bone

[@whittenaw]

Yeah that ending tanked

[@primeshrimp6130]

It is the sad reality

[@3katfox]

That ending was a cop out

[@richteffekt]

Well, with the ongoing consolidation of wealth and the increasingly impermeable wall to a more public platform than that of a wealthier person - we all best get to love our station in life. It's going to be the place where we, our children and their children will spend their lives.

[@Feliciatanktop]

I love how they mentioned George Bush Jr, who literally became president for 2 terms only cause his dad was president. A lot of our leaders and politicians are nepo babies

[@rightrightrightuhhuhuhhuh6516]

Trump is just a baby

[@catinthehat5968]

The issue is that so many people who are talented but lack resources are looked over. Nepotism babies hate acknowledging that they were born on 3rd base and are speed racing towards home base. While other equally as talented people struggling to get past the dugout.

[@coffeeandpandulce]

Zoe Kazan said it (even though she tried to minimize it). Being a Nepo Baby opens doors for you. What they don’t understand is how hard it is for a person without connections to get their foot in the door. It’s the hardest part.

[@Dauerglotzer123]

And they don't acknowledge that they had a safety net of a rich family to come back to and financial support till they make their break or it doesn't work out. Most don't have that

[@elwynbrooks]

It cracks open a door when most people don't even get to exist in the same zipcode

[@kaitlyn__L]

“It cracked open the door, a little bit, but I still had to work hard” like… yes honey, millions of extremely talented people work hard but get totally looked-over. Getting in the door is so underrated by people who are already there (and that’s true in absolutely any field). “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” has always been true. Even outside of classic nepotism (benefitting family), tons of industries rely on a small circle of influential friends-of-friends-of-friends. The old boys club. There’s tons of names for it.

[@thecivilianseries3267]

I saw her in the recent The Last Movie Stars documentary by Ethan Hawke. She said she had not see any of Joanne Woodward's work. I was like, whaaattt?? These people don't even put the work in to acquire knowledge of their craft. Why was she even in the documentary?

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

@@elwynbrooks AMEN!!!!!! You PERFECTLY stated the issue. Thank you for that!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

As I have mentioned it before, nepotism is not restricted to “My parents financed my first job.” but the fact that Social Capital exists. Privileged Intersections will have a leg up in every domain. Do not conflate economic capital and social capital.

[@beatricerights]

Don't be offended but, I can tell you are extremely well educated. You write so well.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@beatricerights Thank you so much.

[@NileshKumar-nr2vj]

@Bystander232 "how things work" is actually what we keep in social cultural capital umbrella. In India even the actors people call self made or non nepo actors, are actually Upper caste Hindus. They constitute 15-20% population and has over 90% presentation in entertainment business. The reason those so called "outsiders" make it to bollywood Or entertainment business is because of social capital they have because of their caste. We need to make the playing field as equal as we can and try to remove hurdles in between and democratize the ground

[@zetaforever4953]

@@NileshKumar-nr2vj completely agree with you. But to be fair there are plenty of self-made muslim actors too.

[@NileshKumar-nr2vj]

@@zetaforever4953 do you see any low caste Muslims in India ? Any ? I know one Nawazuddin who is pasmanda. Else I don't know any.. Maybe Mehmood.. I am not sure

[@erikheddergott5514]

For Centuries Children grew into the Business of their Parents, being Nurses or Plumbers or Griots or Hoteliers. Meritocracy has always been an Illusion to keep the Lower Middle Class quiet and docile.

[@deviantmoore9744]

How is a cleaner using their connections to get their child a cleaning job any different from an actor using their connections to get their child an acting job? All classes actively participate in the nepotism game. The principle is exactly the same, but the prizes are different. In both scenarios, there's a third party who also applied for the job, who is most likely more qualified, who loses due to the established connections both parents have in their respective fields. Influence and power vary from class to class and job to job, but they're present in all.

[@herefortheshrimp1469]

@@deviantmoore9744 There's big difference between people supporting and helping each other just to simply...have a job. Cause we live in a world where you'll die without one. But film and tv are not even close to a cleaning job. and the barrier for entry is completely different. Going from being uber rich to being uber rich AND famous AND lucky is just greed most of the time

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@deviantmoore9744 true

[@deviantmoore9744]

@@herefortheshrimp1469 I never said that those two jobs were close. I said the nepotism in those two jobs share the same principle. By bringing up your points, you have just illustrated how nepotism among lower classes poses a more immediate detrimental threat. Which of these scenarios is more dire: A highly skilled actor losing out on a job because it was given to another based on their parent's connections, or a highly skilled cleaner losing out on a job because it was given to another based on their parent's connections? One of these is extremely selfish, but the other actually poses a threat to one's well-being. We're too transfixed on nepotism among the upper echelons that we neglect studying the lower classes that actively participate in it amongst themselves and are more affected by it. By focusing on lower classes and their practice of nepotism, we'll be getting to the source of the entire issue. Why do I say this? Because nepotism was bred in the lowest class. Look at all these uber successful and rich families and trace their lineage. Go back a few generations and you'll see that the family member that initiated their familial success was once dirt poor. A poor man/woman comes into great wealth and they elevate their family members beyond their merit. Their children elevate their children beyond their merit. Their children's children elevate their children beyond their merit. Nepotism starts in the lowest class. There's a lot of nuance to this topic. Structures the rich use to elevate themselves can only be dismantled by lower classes. We've all seen the class pyramid. If you want to dismantle nepotism at the top, you must dismantle it at the bottom, because that is where it is bred in its purest form. I say in its "purest" form because you're right, nepotism at that level is mostly about self-preservation and survival. However, that evolves. We have seen it time and time and time again. Quite frankly, I'm not that opposed to nepotism. However, I'm just saying, to all of you that want it eradicated amongst the rich, you're going to have to tell the lower classes to sacrifice that practice, too.

[@lateralhistory]

It's never been more of an illusion than it is now

[@trashbasket11]

I get people being upset BUT it doesn't just happen in Hollywood. In my early twenties I worked at a McDonald's where all the managers from district down to shift were related and at the walmart I worked at three of the managers were besties with the store managers family. Humans always put their inner circle first and while sometimes it's undeserved it is not a special thing only for the elite of Hollywood.

[@atomicx9158]

True. The first advice in looking for a job is leverage your contacts. There's no meritocracy there. It's just saying you should get to the first in line because you know somebody.

[@glamglam8347]

youre comparing mcdonalds to the acting industy. the difference between those two is that there are plenty of people that can get a job in mcdonalds without the need of mom and dad (i did and i know plenty of others) but imagine if 99% of mcdonalds employees got in bc theyre related to the manager.every single store the employees were just lucky bc they are related to someone in mcdonalds. LETS NOT EVEN MENTION the fact that most fast food/retail places dont even allow relatives to work in the same place/shift

[@shrav1012]

That's why you need referrals and recommendations. 😅

[@markigirl2757]

@@glamglam8347 not all businesses follow this tbh but I know McDonald’s not so much but in a way it’s still true. Every job I gotten I knew someone to get it

[@theflightcampaign]

This happens in every industry what they don’t say is that the people who get oppurtunities handed over them over the people who are actually qualified never keep them long enough or live up to the person who gave them the opportunities (parents) legacy.

[@SuperDoggy99]

People never talk about the psychological benefits of being born rich or having famous parents. You're set for success because you have positive mental models very early in life, as well as the safety net, money, connections, etc. It's the intangible benefits that are most important.

[@Lee-qf9dz]

YES! They also have the resources AND people who understand what they're going through when they struggle in the entertainment industry. No doubt that the brutality of the entertainment industry is rough on everyone, but nepo babies have the advantage of their parents having gone through similar situations and knowing how to navigate, or paying for a professional to help.

[@AstroMartine]

Can I just say, this is a global issue..it's not just the U.S. I live in East Europe and I will never forget missing a great entry level job during my college years, after a summer traineeship, to the coordinating manager's niece. It was so disgusting that honestly it damaged my motivation for months, even years. We had a one month traineeship in telecommunications engineering(exactly my bachelor's degree), I had just graduated from my 2nd year, and at the end of one month, the 15 of us could take a test on what we learned, as well as do a presentation on what we learned-what we found most interesting, and there were 2 open positions for a part-time permanent job at the company(a big multinational). I actually did everything myself, and learned because I was genuinely interested, got the second highest score at the test, and maximum score for the presentation(both of which were in English). The first job went to the girl with the highest score, and the second they gave to this girl who had a much lower score at the test, and could barely speak at the presentation, without looking at her notes, and also seemed like she had memorized stuff without even understanding what she was saying, while I spoke freely and correctly answered all the questions the hiring committee had for me...I was basically sure the job would be mine, and even a lot of the other candidates told me my presentation was amazing and they would surely hire me..it wasn't until after this whole process was over that one of the other candidates told me that the girl who got the job was the niece of one of these women on the hiring committee, who was also a coordinating manager in that department..so yeah. My problem with this is that people attacking public individuals from a place of self-righteousness seems like a witch hunt for show, when the problem is endemic, and it's with the entire human race..that's why there is corruption and injustice everywhere, and also why societies don't function at their fullest potential. It's like Shakespeare said: "The world's a stage, and the actors are badly cast" - because the casting team is hiring from their own gene pool, instead of choosing the best person for the job.

[@leilamaach5229]

Yes!!! I hate how they portray that as an "American issue" when this is happening all over the world, and in countries with a lower budget for theater and film productions, which means it's even more difficult to get a job in the industry.

[@veronikpavlova]

But they chose, didn’t they? They got girl with the highest points

[@DesiCat789]

@@veronikpavlova It would have been outrage if they didn't select the girl with the highest score. But logically - the next spot goes to girl with second highest score + good presentation skills. That's the problem.

[@xtxpxhx]

Quite true, American channels usually portray themselves as international, but rarely think outside of their own country.

[@MsMinoula]

@@leilamaach5229 But they are american, so they make a video about their country and probably most of their audience. The rest of us can watch and think of how it is similar or different where we are. As long as they are specific about which society they are talking about I'm cool

[@KateAshxo]

I would like to see the percentage of successful performers from the last 20 years who didn’t grow up with parents making over $100k. There are a ton of resources you need access to to “make it” in the arts & it’s definitely the blatant denial of that that bothers so many of us. I have so much more respect for the people who admit that their family’s wealth/influence was an asset to them.

[@KateAshxo]

Just looking into it myself, I find more performers than not come from wealth/influence. I found a tendency for performers from poverty/tough backgrounds being framed as “troubled” or can’t handle the pressure of fame. I don’t think you can deny someone coming up without a background of wealth/influence is more likely to experience significant trauma trying to dig themselves out of that hole. I also have noticed they tend to be the people who have to do something controversial/crazy to become famous or get publicity.

[@vanessac8193]

Mila Kunis comes to mind. And her parents seem amazing.

[@KateAshxo]

@@vanessac8193 That is another thing to be said. Parents in marginalized communities seem to work 100x harder to help their children grow their talents. Those communities tend to use their power to lift more people up around them. Another reason they deserve more representation. Those stories are some of the most inspiring.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Nice name! I said this elsewhere already, but the only one I can think of is Jon Hamm. Even then he was comfortably middle-class, he just couldn’t afford to try doing acting any longer than however-many months he tried. He was cast only a few weeks before he was going to run out of money and go back to his regular life. So far he doesn’t have any kids to do a nepotism with.

[@barbiquearea]

Jodie Comer was literally waiting tables while going to auditions before her breakout role in The White Princess, and then her star making role in Killing Eve.

[@gracehess02]

I don’t mind nepo babies if they’re honest how they got to where they were or if they really did work hard and not use their parents name

[@madnessarcade7447]

People shame nepotism but if we were all in that position we would all give special treatment to our friends and family

[@KaioMichiru22]

Honest about what? So Maud Apattow should say “I’m talentless and my dad is famous” even tho she’s amazingly talented? F*ck off, that’s just pure envy.

[@SlowDIIV]

@@madnessarcade7447 It's not just about that, the issue is more complex and goes beyond your generalizations about what people supposedly like to "shame".

[@rozturner8110]

Me too, I respect Zoe Kazan's honesty about her audition experiences

[@BTCBlizzy]

There’s nothing wrong with using your parent’s name every now and then. Isn’t that why many people work hard? So their children can benefit? 🙄

[@icatfishedyourdad2767]

We have a similar problem in the U.K.- they’re not necessarily nepo babies in the most basic sense but if you look at the most accomplished/famous/award winning British actors and actresses- a lot of them come extremely wealthy and privileged backgrounds. Privately educated, related to politicians and members of the landed gentry etc- Rose Leslie who played Ygritte on GoT’s dad owns a literal castle. Phoebe Waller Bridge talked about having to move back home with her parents if she failed- what she forgot to mention is that “home” is a stately home. You can definitely argue that these people are talented but the difference between them and everyone else is that they have the means to go to auditions all day, to hire agents and acting coaches to hone their craft, to not have to worry about living costs and at the end of the day, having a good education as a back up. More needs to be done to help aspiring actors who shouldn’t have to choose between their part time job supporting themselves and going to an audition. There’s so much untapped potential out there.

[@zetaforever4953]

The same problem exists in India, only the nepotism is very real. The children of bollywood stars make their debuts in huge million-dollar projects while other actors have to spend years doing small indie movies that barely anyone watches. I don't think there's any country or any industry where people with privilege won't do everything in their power to pass that privilege on to their kids.

[@ronburgundy3172]

Most famous british actors come from. Rich families they even got send to boarding schools and top notch arts schools.

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

Phoebe Waller Bridge's father was in the Panama papers and her show is entirely about a being posh white girl.

[@Zain94336]

It's funny you only mention the women and not the middle aged white men. Like benedict cumberpatch and tom hiddleston stop being selective clown and bring up white male elitist is well

[@melyserenidad6527]

Well the UK is worse really as most of the wealthy and accomplished in any field come from some sort of gentry or nobility with *centuries* of privilege.

[@secretlybees]

There's also the element of pretty privilege and nepo babies being able to afford more cosmetic enhancements. It starts as early as braces, making sure your kid's jaw is developing right and getting a good orthodontist, having access to dermatologists who will help with any skin conditions. They also get more expensive clothes that are tailored to them to fit perfectly. Being in fields where looks hold a whole lot of weight, this is a major leg up.

[@hwang9756]

never have I related to that more. my jaw is seriously messed up and I've never had braces to fix my teeth and let me tell you, the different treatment you get from people is real. pretty privilege is real

[@secretlybees]

@@hwang9756 I feel for you. I've got jaw issues as well that COULD have been corrected and cause less pain. And yeah, I feel you on the different treatment. I'm overweight, and feel like my neck, chin, and jaw just look like one mass where heavier friends than me still have a defined lower face. I did get braces, but we were poor and couldn't afford an orthodontist that was actually decent. They changed my face shape and made TMJD /so/ bad I had to PRY my mouth open every morning. They were just focused on bringing my overbite in, not fixing the actual jaw issues, and doing it as cheaply as they could. And the whole office was pretty rude to us. This happened a lot with welfare healthcare, it really seemed like we got looked down on for being poor. If only /i/ could have been a nepo baby lol

[@Lee-qf9dz]

In addition to that, they learn to take care of their looks from an early age because they're around many ppl who can guide them in self-care, such as hair, nails, skin, etc. Money also doesn't hold them back from trying a variety of expensive products that fit their needs. Meanwhile, those of us who are less privileged resort to KZbin tutorials and drugstore products, which are not always the best options. Let's also not forget that being a child in an affluent family also means they probably get more time to focus on appearance. When you don't have to work 40+ hours a week just to survive, of course you'll have more time to do your makeup, pick your outfit, or go shopping. And when someone is struggling to survive, appearance is usually the first thing they give up.

[@johannkuster79]

@@hwang9756 I understand you

[@pulkitgera8509]

Meanwhile Bollywood be like: Hold my beer

[@Hari-bz1mh]

It's funny isn't it? The whole explosion that happened post Star's death is brewing in Hollywood too.

[@cyn1clcynide]

It's even more entrenched in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. You need to be associated to one of the families that control the business to make it big. Even the most tenous of connections to such family is enough to get your foot in the door. I find it darkly amusing that up and coming directors who have great ideas often end up casting the sons, daughters ,nephews and nieces from these families, and often they aren't good at acting either, which just ruins the final product. The truth is you aren't going to get the money to finance the film and convince the theatre owners if you don't have certain family names attached to the film.

[@pulkitgera8509]

I remember the Kapoor family celebrating nepotism. Giving infinite chances to sara, jhanvi and ananya is simply a crime

[@hammadamin5498]

Oh lord don't get me started

[@iekha_triples7718]

Not beer, but the whole tank of whiskey...

[@PokhrajRoy.]

As Julie Andrews said in ‘The Princess Diaries 2’: “Nepotism lies in the Arts, not in plumbing.”

[@kimberlyterasaki4843]

I forgot about that line but that’s amazing

[@kahkah1986]

there is a lot of nepotism in construction. If you were an artist, you might not know about it.

[@joannejones363]

@@kahkah1986 yea right

[@kahkah1986]

@@joannejones363 you can tell nepotism in the arts bc artworks come with labels telling you who made them, and artists give interviews in the press. Your toilet isn't signed, you won't know who molded it or installed it in the same way as you would know who got hired in a tv show, but it doesn't mean there was a fair hiring process involved in producing it. That is the point of this video, isn't it? That society isn't actually like that very much?

[@joannejones363]

@@kahkah1986 at least to be a decent plumber you need to have the skills first only then can you get hired, but in the arts especially Hollywood nepo-babies are given multiple tries and can fail multiple times more than the average person and still be able to make a name for themself by the acquiring the skillset later.

[@seanmaddex4104]

I think the difference between entertainment nepobabies and the nepotism that bothers me is talent. The examples you have provided all had to work and show talent to build careers. Whereas Jared and ivanka were unqualified and incapable of the jobs the took. Also dislike the kardashions but that is more tied to their blindness to their own entitlement.

[@lateralhistory]

Talent needs to be fostered. People with more raw talent don't get the same opportunities to foster it as some average nepo baby with a rich dad. The average baby, with the best teachers, might become good, and frankly it's the least I'd expect from them. But imagine how good the person who was at their level of "good", as their starting point, could have gone on to become if they'd been given the same opportunities and invested in the same way. Imagine what the world is missing out on

[@seanmaddex4104]

@@lateralhistory there is a difference from having an advantage/being priveleged and straight nepotism. while we would love true equality that is idealistic. while it is true that we are losing out on unfulfilled potential it is nowhere near as frustrating as unqualified people being given the opportunities.

[@barbiquearea]

@@lateralhistory All things considered, nepotism is everywhere in every industry, business and politics. The difference between the spoiled children of a CEO and the spoiled children of Will Smith is that while an executive can get their kids a cushy office job, they can skate by, by doing the bare minimum or by doing little to no work at all and nobody will both them about their poor job performance. But for the offspring of somebody like Will Smith, while they no doubt have a leg up in showbiz courtesy of their megastar dad, and are afforded greater opportunities than your average Laguardia Acting School graduate. They still have to put in the work and knock everybody's socks off like any aspiring actor because unlike a cushy office job, their job performance is literally being shown to everyone in their screen projects.

[@omolevincentia3447]

Yet your gas prices were low,there was no war in Ukraine and the us had a power base in Afghanistan,what has the so called meritocracy done for you

[@melodramatic7904]

@@seanmaddex4104 I think the point people are making is that nepotism got them those opportunities whereas most people spend their whole lives never getting a chance to get in the room. To me, it's still nepotism but less annoying than the other types you mentioned because at least these people do have talent and so eventually earn their spot. However, it's still true that there are a lot of talented people who will never get a chance because of them.

[@dvdv8197]

"The American dreams has never been real." Truer words have never been spoken on this channel.

[@sgshumblecrumb6046]

"It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it." - George Carlin.

[@mariecait]

we should have talent agencies that only hires talent that doesn’t have “insider ties” .. create content without nepo babies.. it would give so many opportunities to show their talent and hard work! we don’t need hollywood to become famous anymore. we can create on our phones. anyone out there with big dreams don’t give up! keep making content and posting it!

[@neutral_narr]

I am here for it. What is the worst that can happen? We should always put effort into trying to make the world more just and equal.

[@JulietteKernDiamond]

I just dislike it in the modeling world. I do love the Hadids but in general I miss the models who got discovered at the mall. They were just more interesting to watch, and more beautiful imo!

[@cogitorium1089]

The Hadids, Kendall Jenner or Emily Ratajkowski have spent a lot of money to look the way they do (and now they're all just slightly different versions of the same face, but idc, if they're happy this way, good for them). Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell raised to the top because of their electrifying charisma, and that can't be bought.

[@MsDiMera2]

I dont think it would be possible in this day and age to see models the likes of Naomi , Kate Moss or Claudia . Mostly because modelling no longer caters as much to creating " supermodels". I've read that designers hated the supermodel era especially of the 90s when certain models would refuse to do certain runways if they didnt get the demanded fee. Its said they purposely set out to make sure there would never be models as costly as the supermodels of the past. Nowadays models without family support have to do a ton of catwalks and spreads just to get by .People like Kendall and the Hadids due to family wealth can pick and choose which projects to do which gives them a certain edge .But the others have to do anything and everything just to get by and end up overexposed .Its not like the old days when Naomi could declare she wouldnt get out of bed for less than a certain amount .

[@JulietteKernDiamond]

@@MsDiMera2 interesting! I think it's one of the other ones who had the bed comment, Evangelista maybe? But interesting info makes me sad but makes sense.

[@Hudpix16]

@@MsDiMera2 I think the mentality has changed, they’ve discover that social media sells more and young people are the main consumers. Now diversity sells, so they’re not going for the perfect looks of the 90s, they’re even hiring overweight girls or girls who would look quite average without all the make up and lighting.

[@MD0K]

I usually love their video essays, but this just rubbed me the wrong way. "Yeah it's systematic but at least some of our oppressors have their heart in the right place cheer up". yeesh what a toothless conclusion. Nepotism is a symptom of class privilege, and as such capitalism. No amount of stake "holder capitalism" will fix class divide. As self aware and talented as some of this people are, truth remains that we are community made. And the system allows some to hoard wealth, if your born on that community of 1%ers you're made for life. The rest of us are fucked. So yeah, didn't like this take

[@caaaaats9890]

I agree with you. I couldn't put into words the reason why, but this video felt very off as I was watching it - just this gross gut feeling about it. Also, I hate to be that person but I couldn't help but think in the last segment of the video where they talked about 'how nepotism babies are doing good by the world', that ofc it's easy to advocate for change in the world when your basic existence is not threatened. even if their careers took a hit because of their advocacy, they would still never have to worry about a job or money because of their connections, whereas the average person would. that's not to say that they shouldn't be doing these things, rather that, doing good by the world is the bare minimum nepo babies should be doing for society, as they have that power and so this shouldn't be shown as being an upside to nepo babies. There is no upside/good to nepo babies. Besides, the ones mentioned doing this good stuff, are the exceptions to the rule - most nepo babies don't give a hoot, and it would've been nice for the take to present this as it is.

[@Larissa-eo3pt]

Thank you. I hate the sugary, positive spin on a subject that is ONLY negative. Being a decent human being no matter the size of your sphere of influence is the bare minimum, folks. The rich and famous don't get a pass in discussions of equity just because they say nice things once in a while.

[@lateralhistory]

Yeah, that volte-face killed it for me too

[@lateralhistory]

@@Larissa-eo3pt Yep. I feel the same when people do the whole "I don't mind as long as they're TALENTED!" spiel so many have done in the comment section here. So what? They'd better be talented! They've had opportunities the rest of us can only dream of. The least they can do is put in a good performance.

[@isabellajaimie]

100% agree with you. Their parents are worth millions yet it's totally okay that the kids take a job where its $3k a day (at least, I'm sure it's more because of their last names) when there's more diverse artists that struggle to get by. I'm sure there is an issue with diversity in Hollywood that stems from this type of corruption. The Hayes Code era creatives that have kids now making media? I find it really weird that they don't even bother mentioning how that can become a problem... after all, only certain people were let in back then, if they have kids working it too, the problem of wealth, entitlement and discrimination doesn't just disappear with time, it's literally born into the industry over and over again. Speaking "for the little people" isn't even the norm with majority of the nepokids. IDK why they decided to take two examples and excuse away dozens lmao.

[@isabellajaimie]

I resent the fact that they used the word "naive" to describe people who were manipulated their entire lives into thinking that meritocracy existed in this country. As a child you're told that, and it's constantly stated throughout your life. If you question, you're lied to about it. That's not "being naive." That's ~being manipulated~ I'm fine with them if they are willing to admit it. But the whole "we work just as hard!" is ridiculous. They were born in the gate, the gate is gatekept by their parents. And getting your foot in the door is the hardest part. There are people I know who work two jobs and get trained, network, etc., do everything right and haven't gotten anywhere. Non-Nepo actors are expected to have consistent training which is pricey. Some of the nepotism kids don't even bother training and still get the role regardless. ( I work in this industry. MANY newer filmmakers are getting discouraged and disillusioned because there is NO upwards mobility and there are times where the exploitation of lower paid filmmaking jobs gets to be way too much for anybody to think it's worth it.) Another unfair part nobody mentions: Their parents are worth millions, they're set for life and could invest that money and do something else. But instead, they take jobs where they get paid $3k A DAY (it's probably more, that's just a general contract number) when there are more talented harder working actors out there struggling to even make rent. Yes, some are talented and care. Many aren't. So "Naive", at least I think, isn't the right word to describe people who were sold this dream and have been exploited with low pay and no upwards mobility. It's probably the same reason why we don't have nearly as much diversity in the industry as we could too. I love the Take videos. But this one got me to comment, and I don't usually do that. There's way more criticism that is deserved here, and with the platform The Take has, they should be using it to help. Not excuse it all away.

[@natalies1624]

facts i felt this video was like, nepotism babies arent the problem, you are

[@free22]

They never discussed the consequences of nepotism in the entertainment industry. Not once did they mention what happens if most of the acting jobs are taken by nepo-babies.

[@lesliewit]

Facts, and the results are a dwindling diversity of artistic works. I rarely go to the movies now except for the big fun blockbusters. Despite an ever-increasing and accessible platform of movies, television shows, there are fewer and fewer shows that I'm actually invested in watching because many of them are pretty much the same show dealing with the same subject matter. A lot of these Productions are quite obviously an outsider perspective on the lives of regular people and are missing that element of pain that exists for folks who are actually working hard everyday to survive. The person who's eating Ramen or oatmeal every day for a month so that they can make rent and pay bills is most definitely not getting their voice heard.

[@mariemeldron2984]

Plus the American dream is a myth.Working hard won't get you shit.Period.

[@mariemeldron2984]

@@lesliewit Yes we have rich,entitled ,clueless people writing our shows,movies and books.I don't want to read,watch that.

[@infjelphabasupporter8416]

I once met a real "nepo baby". I was 8 but I still remember. I was taking a walk in a forest with my parents and we walked in on a secluded place where a movie was being filmed. My mother was very charismatic and actually befriended them when they were on a break, to the point where they asked for our umbrella to help with some illumination difficulties. The movie being filmed had a boy my age as the protagonist, and his father, who was present, was the star of a famous TV show of the moment. He actually told my mom he was surprised we didn't recognize him. And the boy my age and I got along well, and I find extremely hilarious even now that he made a point of telling me many times that *"I wouldn't be here without my father"* *"You know why I'm here? Because of my father"* Another nepo baby I've seen is Dafne Keen. She studied at my high school (in Spain) before leaving it when the pandemic started. She was one grade above me and I never knew her but people said she was nice. Also- it's a weird school for screenwriter's children and such- so one of my friends has her entire family in the film business, since her grandmother played Reagan(?) from the Exorcist. I do find it kind of disturbing that while she doesn't have any particular talent she and everyone have just assumed she'll be a film director, since she has all the right connections.

[@johannkuster79]

cool

[@jacobk6371]

The Take has become so “accommodating” and “understanding” it’s now elitist and asking its viewers to sympathize with byproducts of the meritocracy

[@Laura-tv2dx]

"Also it's like, you know, maybe someone can get you one part, but they can't really get you 10 parts." She has no idea how much just one part would mean to some people.

[@coffeeandpandulce]

Exactly! Getting that one part is extremely difficult for actors that have no connections.

[@natalies1624]

facts, and one part gives you the other 9

[@rosatejeda9763]

The irony of Woody Allen’s son doing an investigation on Harvey Weinstein 😭

[@jacquelinelugo5518]

He also has called out Woody as well. Which I love, he saw what his dad did to his sister and mom. Especially how the media tried to make his mom the villain when she went up against Woody. He took that and said I'm going to ruin these privilege old bastards in Hollywood. He is an amazing journalist and I wish more journalist had the safety net he does to call out the creeps in Hollywood.

[@congratulashuns]

and truly he is Sinatras son

[@RealTalkWithSSG]

@@congratulashuns IKR, he looks so much like him!

[@Hudpix16]

Woody never molested his daughter. It was all a plan of his partner trying to get back at him for having left her for her adopted daughter. Stop believing the BS. Sadly Ronan is on his mother’s side.

[@Hudpix16]

@@congratulashuns if he really it’s f***** up of her to say that only to try to distance her son from Woody and go on the attack again. Even the Sinatra family denied this. She only said it when it was convenient for her to do so. Crazy woman.

[@VeeLondon1449]

It’s just the phenomenal lack of transparency that I find annoying. When a person who has benefited from nepotism/access sets a narrative that they independently started their own career, when it’s obvious they used the network of people in show businesses that they clearly had access too, and they often gaslight us by saying due to nepotism they have had to work twice as hard! Like they are a victim of nepotism! How can that be! I just wish they could be honest about their start in the industry. “I come from a show business family. I had access and support” simple.

[@fantasticania]

I had a few arguments with my sister, whom nepo babies don't bother at all. she thinks if they are talented and made it, it's fair. my point is, that it is impossible to deny, no matter how talented they are, they only got a chance because of their connections, because of their famous parents. while all other aspiring actors, without family connections in show business never had that chance. and it is so unfair. and the truth is, most of those young people (nepo babies) would have never ever made it without the connections, ever. every culture and every country has them. sigh, and yikes.

[@indy-fs6de]

I'm glad that Zoe Kazan acknowledges that nepotism played a role in her career, but I think she vastly underestimates how much it's played a role. She's somewhat talented and pleasant in her roles, but seriously a thousand other actresses can play her parts similarly or better.

[@AmelieMews]

Many of them end up in the main roles of big franchises, like Lily Collins with Shadow Hunters and Emily in Paris.

[@johannkuster79]

did you leave the channel? where are the videos?

[@eliza6971]

I would love to be a nepo baby, but only if I could pick my parents. If it's Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, sign me up, they seem lovely. If it's Drew Barrymore's parents, Mackenzie Phillip's parents, etc...absolutely tf not. I'm amazed those ladies made it out ALIVE.

[@erischnimd]

Great point.

[@Missmagazinebura]

Drew is a good actress . I’m not sure about Maude

[@lstarsabb]

@@Missmagazinebura Maude you can tell she's had acting classes, but she's not ready for the major league just yet. She's good at Lexi on Euphoria because she's basically playing a normal kid. So, in time I'm sure she will be able to prove she belongs.

[@faerieliana]

What is wrong with Mackenzie Phillip's parents?

[@Missmagazinebura]

@@faerieliana who’s that lol

[@katherinealvarez9216]

I was under the impression that meritocracy doesn't actually exist.

[@erikheddergott5514]

You are right.

[@iwasbornunderwater]

Me too 🤷‍♀️

[@MsDiMera2]

Same

[@lesbiangoddess290]

it doesnt

[@KP-zb1tr]

Meritocracy is a myth. It’s all about privilege (whether that’s economic, gender, race, etc.).

[@benkoeberle9510]

As an aspiring actor/writer from a working-class background with a long ways to go until I am even considered a solid working actor, hearing about nepotism and how it’s become more and more prevalent within the entertainment industry is soul-crushing. To have a consistent career in the performing arts today, you have to (1) start really young (as a child actor/performer), (2) be born into an upper-middle class or wealthy family, (3) already have a relative in the industry as it is, or (4) all three. I look at the famous actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood like Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Clara Bow, Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Lana Turner, and Marilyn Monroe. All of them came from lower-class and working-class backgrounds. A lot of them also came from broken homes. Would these actors and actresses stand a chance if they were trying to break out now in Hollywood? I’m not going to give up and remain persistent in what I really want to do, which is act and perform. By now, I have accepted and come to terms that my life and my path in life will always be different and difficult from everyone else, unlike those mentioned in this video. But still, actors, actresses, and performers from lower-class and working-class people deserve and should have a voice too. I’m glad this issue is finally getting some attention and focus in how rigged and unjust the industry is (and has been). It’s about time.

[@MariaLuisa-vv4ug]

I laughed when the video was like "oh poor them, having to put up with people continuously pointing out that privilege while they continue to benefit from it 😢" and that ending lmaoooo oh boy

[@Genedide]

Meritocracy was never “broken.” In fact the whole concept was a satire & dystopia by sociologist Michael Young. Just like Fight Club, “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen, and The Punisher, the right took it literally & uniroically and distanced their works from their satirical & critical origins .

[@jelatinosa]

Book straps

[@CatrinaDaimonLee]

ty for the info. now someone needs to tell meritocratic and still nepo heavy singapore that...

[@silver6735]

I think part of what makes people so mad about these nepo babies is that they have a leg up and better training in an area most people don’t think about when it comes to achieving success: networking. If people want to succeed in any industry, but especially entertainment, you have to be able to walk up to people and be genuinely interested in who they are and be able to get them to be genuinely interested in you. Something I learned from the woman who is helping me get my work off the ground is that people invest in people, not ideas. That’s part of why these nepo babies do well. People are invested them as individuals and are curious to see where they will go because of their heritage! You can make someone feel the same way about you! You can make them care about who you are! Make them want to watch what you do next! Then they might even want to help you. But you have to have the courage to walk up, say hello, and understand it may or may not work. Still, it never hurts to try. Goodluck out there my fellow artists! Thank you for coming to my TedTalk! Lol!

[@Azoria_J]

I think problem is that celebrities promote this hardworking, pursuing your dreams and it's a lie. Cause ordinary people have almost no chances to be famous and rich. You have to have a lot of money and connections to be successful or die trying.

[@bahiaayos1865]

Not only America. I went to high school with one of Netflix's "Elite"'s protagonists. Her mother was a chief writer for a top journal in Spain, and got her to feature in an extremely famous fashion magazine because of her connections.

[@johannkuster79]

who ?

[@nonviablevenus9206]

I have an issue with nepotism because there are countless talents that will never even get into the hallway, building, street or city let alone their foot in the door. It's elitism. Networks, money, zip code and genetic lottery play MAJOR roles. And they people pretend otherwise it irritates the duck out of me. I want to art and to see art created by more than just a minority wealthy and or powerful club of people. Appreciate the commentary on inequity and "the American dream," rhetoric.

[@Hudpix16]

That’s never going to change though, and it’s in every industry. It’s just in entertainment they’re famous. I know plenty of people who got jobs because they knew somebody or their parents were friends with the boss/owner.

[@neutral_narr]

@@Hudpix16 It could change but it will take a lot of work to pull off. I am more optimistic than most though.

[@thisisntallowed9560]

Some things people are born with also is hope. Wealthy people are more likely to dream because they're told this idea that they can be anything they want since they have lots of money and money=opportunities. When I look at people like Taylor Swift, I respect her and all she's done. But I was born in a low income house, with two narcissistic parents who wouldn't take interest in my passions, so now even as an adult I have lots of barriers like trauma and unhealthy habits like anxiety and trauma, and I can't imagine not being white. I'm not jealous I like Taylor Swift and would love to be friend with her, but we just live in two different worlds.

[@Lee-qf9dz]

Yes, Taylor Swift had the freedom to take a leap of faith. She could take the risk of being a singer and know that if she failed, she could fall back on her parents. When you're from a poor household, those types of dreams are just dreams. If you fail, it could ruin your life. It's even worse when you're responsible for taking care of others, such as your parents or siblings, because your failure can ruin their lives too. Most people simply cannot afford to take those chances.

[@secondjulia]

On "naturally gifted" @4:18 : Please, everybody, read "Peak" by Anders Eriksson. It absolutely decimates the vast majority of claims of natural talent, or at least talent playing a bigger role than opportunity and training (specifically directed, high-level (read: often expensive) training). While there is a lot we don't know about the _how_ of experts & high-level performers, and there may be ways in which natural tendencies do play some role (for instance, sensitivity to reward mechanisms in the brain), we absoltely do need to put to bed the idea that someone - even a very young person - performing at a high level is just "naturally gifted". The overwhelming evidence seems to demonstrate that it is their opportunities for developing their skills and not some innate talen that is the primary driver of success. Editing to add: the point of this isn't to criticize or dismiss performers who are highly accomplished, regardless of how they got there. It's to question the idea of meritocracy and focus on increasing opportunities for all - not just career opportunities, but everything one needs to pursue a career like stable housing, a robust social safety net, educational support, etc.

[@treatpeoplewithkindness2955]

For me the problem with some nepos babies is that they denied their privilege to be more "relatable" and that some of them are not as good in their areas and it is very clear that if they did not have connections they would have not get the role or that job.

[@emilyonizuka4698]

I think most people just want them to acknowledge their privilege. you aren't a bad person for having privilege. just acknowledge it. that's all we want. and when they go, "yeah, I had these step-ups, but I still worked hard," like no one is denying you worked hard or are talented. but there are lots of people who work just as hard and are just as talented who don't get the same opportunities. just acknowledge your opportunities you had that not everyone does.

[@aleenasmakeup]

you ate.

[@nevm7469]

here’s the thing, I came from an ultra-privileged background... my cousin was a very successful and well known artist among very elite circles and the high end of the global art world throughout the 00’s and 10’s (before his death from an OD at the end of 2016) and as a really young teen (13) I went to go live with him full time in manhattan and got sent to private schools (dalton and collegiate) where I had uber wealthy, well connected and future-famous friends and acquaintances (timothee chalamet, ansel elgort, michael consuelos, etc) and got to hang out with very famous and well connected people who would constantly come over for dinner or drinks or parties at our west village townhouse (kate moss, alison mosshart, lena dunham, anna wintours daughter bea schafer, jeff koons, annie liebovitz, zoe kravitz, madonna, lauren santo domingo, etc). I got to travel the world regularly and attend fashion shows and premieres and exclusive parties and events, etc. so by the time I was in my early 20’s just a few years ago and decided to start a company within the luxury fashion sector i knew so many people from that world and had so many connections and firsthand experience and “know-how” within it that industry that it was much easier and quicker for me to make it a success than it almost certainly otherwise would have been. I can sit here today and say that I almost certainly would not be nearly as successful as I currently am at such a young age (27) had I not had that type of of ultra-privileged and uber-connected upbringing. nepotism is real and it does give you a leg up. does that mean I didn’t do a lot of it on my own or that I didn’t have to work hard to achieve what I have? no, of course not!... but does it mean that it was a lot easier for me to do it and that I was able to achieve it much faster than most other people would have been able to? yes, 100%

[@lesliewit]

This part! And although I'm sure you're talented, and incredibly skilled within your profession it's the fact that you own your privilege that is also also an important thing. Privilege is a problem when people pretend they don't have it and then use that pretense as an excuse not to make room for others.

[@lookhowshegobbledthat]

People only hate nepo babies who are 1) mediocre and 2) deny it helped them. If you are talented, are considered the epitome of eurocentric beauty, admit your privileges and/or do philanthropic stuff... then people are fine with it. Very surprising Angelina Jolie isn't mentioned. 👀

[@historylover9999]

Yup!

[@erikeriks]

Don't speak for everybody, it goes a little deeper than that but I'm sure your 5 brain cells aren't able to comprehend that

[@fromthehaven94]

Jolie is her given middle name, I think.

[@Overseer2579]

No, people are fine with it if those people acknowledge and are appreciative for the privilege they were born with, and if they’re not just telling people that anyone can make it if they work hard enough, which would be hilariously un-self-aware

[@lookhowshegobbledthat]

@@Overseer2579 Like I said, people hate nepo babies 2) who deny their privilege. Plenty of nepo babies who haven't admitted or denied it and people still like them, that's why I mentioned the other things. We like to pick and choose at the end of the day though. Wokeness is merely a performance for most.

[@dianamorales1030]

I think the problem with nepotism and how the world works is that we are left with conformism in the sense that there´s never gonna be a difference for the ones who are talented enough but can´t have the same connections , opportunities, ect. The people who are self made are exceptions of the rule and thats how you know the world is not fair and will never be

[@jaimicottrill2831]

No, we feel betrayed because they refuse to acknowledge that who they know gave them a massive leg up in the industry and gave them a base to feel confident.

[@NA86737]

I honestly feel the way to balance it out is that nepo babies need to be willing to work with people breaking into the industry. Nepo babies in the industry should be like the Medicis and help those breaking in.

[@theflightcampaign]

They’re too selfish to do so and the probably come with major insecurities, they’ll probably put someone who isn’t a product of nepotism in position then get mad that their higher than them so they don’t do it.

[@musics4me]

I was already suspicious that an Apatow kid got a role in a gritty HBO show. When her character dominated season 2 of Euphoria, it became too obvious

[@caitlinbelforti870]

I can't even find an agent. People say that the hardest part of being an actor is all of the auditioning. I would love to even have an opportunity to audition.

[@jordanloux3883]

Huh, who knew that being born into a certain group gave you an advantage over other people. Perhaps we should enact policies that puts people on a more equal footing that gives everyone a chance to succeed. I'm sure the powerful group won't complain about certain people getting special treatment and gaslight society into accepting their miserable lot in life. That would be ridiculous.

[@admiralfrancis8424]

"Perhaps we should enact policies that puts people on a more equal footing that gives everyone a chance to succeed. " How would you enforce such policies in the entertainment business?

[@jordanloux3883]

@@admiralfrancis8424 You get I'm intentionally being broader than that, right?

[@admiralfrancis8424]

@@jordanloux3883 I know, and I agree with you broadly, I just don't know how to enforce your proposed policy in the entertainment business, specifically.

[@jordanloux3883]

@@admiralfrancis8424 That would need people becoming more open to actors and actresses who aren't aesthetically perfect being in major pictures.

[@admiralfrancis8424]

@@jordanloux3883 Exactly. This isn't something that can be enforced. It requires a lot of cultural changes. But it also requires removing profit incentives. The biggest reason why studios/businesses like to choose nepo babies who are related to famous/influential people is because they are more likely to draw people's attention, thus they are more bankable.

[@chrissiem3958]

I find it funny that The Take's last video was about how Lena Dunham's character in Girls is generally reviled, and in this video, they showed a clip of her essentially saying that the 'nepo baby anger [directed at her] is bullsh*t' 😂😂😂 I'm sure it was a coincidence, but I still find it funny. Fine, Lena, your parents weren't Hollywood elite--- far from it---- but they were still NY artists who had lots of connections. And to hear about Lena's pitch meeting to HBO for Girls is kinda infuriating, just cementing (for me) her lack of self awareness. Lena's character Hannah never acknowledged her priviledge in the show, and just WOW to see art imitating real life.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

In India, this issue has been raised and people from film lineage do have an advantage. HOWEVER, the larger issue of caste networks which create opportunities and relatively smooth career trajectory is never mentioned because it takes away the ‘Outsider’ Tag, thus making them not relatable. P.S. ‘Outsiders’ are also insiders. They’re just outsiders to certain elite circles.

[@Missmagazinebura]

Never have I ever cast

[@MsDiMera2]

So true Ive noticed how in Bollywood nepotism is also rife and they dont hide it as much . You bring up an interesting point on how even the so called outsiders who are not from film families are still upper caste

[@j.albuquerque9274]

Y'know who is the opposite of it? Anthony Ramos, grew up in a working class neighborhood an din a single parent household, went to a regular high school and got a scholarship to study art performing. These are the stories we should champion.

[@iwouldgiveyouthemoon_]

agree with all of this except for the fact that he cheated on his fiancée. it's is def irrelevant to the fact that he worked extremely hard to get where he is now, but it's just like... dude... you were doing so well and now 😭

[@veronikpavlova]

Have no idea who is that

[@j.albuquerque9274]

@@veronikpavlova Star of the movie adaptation of "In the Heights". Also an original cast member of "Hamilton"

[@veronikpavlova]

@@j.albuquerque9274 ah okay thanks

[@barbaraniven5773]

@@iwouldgiveyouthemoon_ we don't know the inside information of their relationship!!! i'm not saying that cheating is justifiable but i don't think it makes someone irredeemable or a menace to society and I don't think it should take away from how hard he has had to work as a working class man of colour.

[@iibnbiibn]

Jane Fonda has also been very honest about the nepotism that granted her her fame. in her wired auto complete interview she answered the question ”why is Jane Fonda famous?” with ”I was Henry Fonda’s daughter. That’s how I became famous.”

[@alyssaakabob]

Thank you for the video. I also recommend Tara Mooknee's video as well. One of the comments from the comment section of that video that stood out to me, is that there is a danger regarding the messaging and art produced from that kind of background. If the stories and experiences depicted are from such a limited echo chamber.

[@andiman44]

@@FireSilver25 It’s really good

[@anne-zh2kd]

Yes! Exactly. That is why I hate non-autistic people making movies about autism, rich people making movies about poor people etc. It never comes from a position of identifying with us, but seems more like poverty porn or disability porn, if you know what I mean.

[@aycaaltay9929]

This could go hand-in-hand with the previous “Is growing old a taboo” video. In that video, you were mentioning that the industry is becoming now less open to new actors since actors like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, or singers like Jennifer Lopez resist getting old and being discarded by keeping their looks. The nepo babies like Dree Barrymore, Jamie Lee Curtis, or Nicolas Cage didn’t bother us that much because 1) we were less aware without the internet, and 2) there were still new openings, as the previous generation was getting older. Even though it’s a new golden age for TV with the streaming services, there are a lot of options as to which productions will be chosen by the consumers, and success is more arbitrary and uncertain. Given the openings are slimmer, when nepo babies fill in these, it becomes more alarming. It’s not a couple of babies like it used to be. Industry is more chaotic than ever and chances are slimmer for outsiders with zero connections. Nepo babies can push second chances but others can hardly push the first ones.

[@julaju3218]

I’m a bit torn on this. On one hand, lucky or not, it’s a blessing that people can pursue their passions. On the other hand, I don’t think it’s fair and it can limit the storytelling too. When I see another “chosen one” or “you’re destined” trope, I want to take my eyes out. It would be best if it wasn’t just one or the other.

[@jessm2560]

The myth of the American Dream obscures the very real class divide. Letting go of the idea of meritocracy has helped my mental health exponentially.

[@Cfaerify]

I think the University scandal should be added to this. The American education system is horribly complicit in this. Everyone LOVES to complain about affirmative action, but nobody ever wants to acknowledge that half the people in top universities are legacies.

[@lorrie9462]

I don't mind Nepo babies who are actually talented. when they're not, that's when it's very irritating

[@user-io9hj9ip2d]

it's funny how they say their famous or well connected parents had very little to do with the roles they got or only just cracked the door open. yet they fail to see that they also had access to all their parents money and all the resources in the world to be set up for success. they didn't just crack the door open for you they swung it open.

[@scottandrewhutchins]

I'm working on the Little Women musical for a Smule project, and I just can't stop thinking about how it pushes the meriotcratic dreamer idea. Louisa May Alcott may have eclipsed her father, Bronson Alcott, in the public consciousness, but he was definitely a well-known writer who was part of Ralph Waldo Emerson's circle.

[@j.m251]

The Wayans are the best nepo family ever. I absolutely love that they put each other on

[@falloutgirl902]

I honest don’t gfa when they’re not white. Nepo tf up.

[@sebastianrosa7935]

It's interesting to think about; I remember reading that Idris Elba wouldn't let his daughter star in a movie with him because he felt she wasn't ready, and refused to allow his fame to advance her career,because she needed to do that herself.

[@unionunicorn6776]

Meritocracy is in direct conflict with inheritance. We can not be a society that allows inheritance and yet insist that everything is based on merit. If people who have nothing in this world can’t “pull themselves up from their bootstraps” because they just don’t get the opportunities that someone with affluent parents would get, there is no merit to that. Either we are an inheritance society, or a merit based society, but we can not be both.

[@ciaxx]

Most societies exist on a continuum and are not entirely merit based or inheritance based. There is actually a statistical measurement that can be applied to countries to determine how merit based they are. It found the USA to be about half merit based (meaning half your destiny is, statistically speaking, determined by where you started - so yes, some can beat the system, and do, but many will not.) Canada, which has cheaper university education for its citizens, is about 75% merit based. Not sure about other countries.

[@unionunicorn6776]

@@ciaxx That is interesting. As an American, I don’t really like those odds. :(

[@riav7467]

The problem about Nepo babies is not just getting their foot in the door which is the hardest, but also have more chances to fail with no consequence, there will still be people ready to cast them even if they fail while non-nepo people who had somehow did the impossible of getting their foot into the door will at best have one chance to prove themselves before being written off.

[@lstarsabb]

Like the video said most Hollywood is built off nepotism. Most of our favorite actors and actress are connected to someone famous. Like many have already said it the tone deafness of celebrities now. Someone says they have privilege and instead of acknowledging it they get defensive and deny it. It's enabling the message " If you work hard enough you get do anything" when people just as talented or better can't get the same opportunities because they don't know the right people or know how to play the game to get in those doors. Most actors and actress that don't have those connection have pretended they are rich just to get invite to the circles for a chance to get noticed. It not the nepo babies faults but they can add to the inequality by playing dumb and not take full advantage by fight to help make things more fair in Hollywood when they able to move up in this directing and executive positions.

[@ToudaHell]

No matter what field you're in, it's always about who you know than what you know. As someone who completely changed careers because I couldn't break into the field I spent almost 10 years studying for, I'm only annoyed when these so called nepo babies are bad at it. They just get the door kicked in for them. For it to stay open, they need real talent. Artistic talent often runs in families too.

[@garyholtzman5155]

I was with you until almost the end, when your conclusion seemed to be, "Oh, well. Inequality sucks but hopefully some of the privileged few will use their privilege to help the masses." I mean, yes. It is good for people to help the less fortunate, and people like Jane Fonda and Ronan Farrow should be applauded for having gone above and beyond most people of whatever background to make working for change a focus of their lives. But, the real goal must remain what it was for those who coined the idea of the American Dream originally: Making a more equitable society in which genuine meritocracy can thrive. There will always be nepotism and family connections have always provided a leg up, but the current level of inequality and intergenerational privilege has not been seen in the USA for a century. It does not need to be this way, either in Hollywood or in society at large.

[@collinwimbish4516]

There's nothing wrong with being highborn if you're self-aware & a class traitor.

[@gazellehelene5380]

Doesn’t Maude Apatow look a lot like Alyson Stoner, or is it just me?🤷🏽‍♀️ Also, it’s nepotism is unsettling, but there are also people who think badly of you if you are in a high position and you don’t give a hand to help your loved ones come up, too. Obviously, it’s better if the family member has talent as well as connections, but it’s pretty expected that people would be more willing to support those closest to them if they can. It’s just the way things are, it seems.

[@ravenmindful673]

honestly i dont mind nepo babies getting in through connections. im just concerned with the over saturation. because they are sooo many of them, those who dont have connections and/or are not nepo babies find it so difficult to breakthrough into stardom.

[@tyrellmcintyre1662]

I also feel that nepo babies should actually help people who don’t have connections who are talented as well. Since you have opportunities help others who have opportunities

[@K05H]

To be honest, this happens in every industry and country. Most parents want their kids to maximize their potential and act accordingly. "Nepo Babies" tend to be more obvious than most.

[@MrBeetlejuice16]

Unpopular reminder: Miley Cyrus is a product of nepotism first and foremost, not just a Disney Channel star. She got the job at Disney due to her famous father landing her acting jobs when she was really young. Yet people are still claiming that she's the most self-made artist there is.

[@evgeniastankevich461]

don't forget that Dolly Parton is her g-dmother

[@TheEclipse8]

It’s not unpopular at all because everyone knows that about her, but it’s less bothersome when you can clearly back it up. Miley is a tremendous vocalist and acts well, Angelina Jolie, Lily Collins, Bryce Dallas Howard, etc. They back it up. Ones like Jaden/Willow, Lily Rose Depp, Dakota, Maude, Kendall - don’t do that at all.

[@turbobus4983]

"Oh boo-hoo, somebody called me out on my nepotism, so rude!"

[@tinabecker1313]

Drew Barrymore is a gem no matter how she got her start to success!

[@노력하자-r1z]

As a Korean, Nepotism is like a giant malignant tumor of meritocracy. It makes sense for a senior to be high-class with outstanding ability. But it's hard to understand Junior being a high-class man with Nepotism. In particular, controversy over fairness will arise in Korea, which was rebuilt under the influence of the United States after the disappearance of the status system after the Korean War. Even chaebols are not free from meritocracy and fairness controversy. Therefore, chaebols are aware of the controversy over fairness, but they even train their abilities harshly to pass it on to Junior.

[@rhlbhuyan]

I understand the advantages that 'nepo' babies have in Hollywood. But in Bollywood its a lot worse !!! The 'nepo' babies get a lead role in their very first film !

[@eteixeira90]

As the son of immigrant parents, I gotta say, I don't think the idea of "The American Dream" was that everything would be fair. Maybe I am biased, but I always viewed this Dream to be of bettering oneself and having the freedom to do so.

[@sdarling6518]

Access to the limited freedoms available in the U.S. isn't free. Also, any self-created definition of "The American dream" is based on unrealistic and unchallenged ideas about what life in this country is like, especially for people who don't live here. So many people outside of the U.S. have all kinds of ideas that are utter stereotypical nonsense. That can be said for anyone living outside of a country, but with strong unchallenged ideas about the said country.

[@eteixeira90]

@@sdarling6518 do you speak from experience? Because I do. I have lived and worked outside of the US, I have friends and family who live in another country with severely more limited resources than the US. And anyway, you're right that all dreams are based on unrealistic ideas, but dreams are still worth pursuing, and I can tell you that the dream of having a better life after starting from nothing is much more attainable in the US than in most places.

[@survivalwriter2635]

@@eteixeira90 that is not true if you compare it to other countries in the developed world with comparable economies and wealth. The United States has the largest income gaps compared to other powerful nations. This inequality is exacerbated even more when you factor race in the equation and look at how our country treats African-American communities versus white ones.

[@lesliewit]

You always have to consider where you're coming from in order to correctly evaluate where you're going to. I recently had a discussion with my son who was given an assignment and its history class. The assignment was to answer all the questions in the citizenship exam. He was pretty frustrated with it because according to him it was "history at a fifth grade level." People who immigrate to the United States are not getting the entire story of how this country exists today and how it came to be. Many times folks who immigrate here are coming from pretty terrible circumstances, and because of our immigration policies they're also coming with a set of privileges that folks in who were born here don't have access to. Look up "Model Minority" policies. The US isn't different than anywhere else. There's a very complex set of checks and balances designed to keep certain people at a certain level while allowing others to advance.

[@limelightraver5690]

As my brother fittingly put it a while back. “Meritocracy has been dead in this country for a while now.”

[@ameliabrittain158]

It was never alive. It was always been a convenient lie to make people work harder.

[@BTCBlizzy]

Your brother assumes there ever was a meritocracy. The ones who founded this country did not work for it lol

[@CM-pf1xc]

Well like the take is saying, it never existed

[@cybersquire]

Meritocracy was always a Myth

[@amyadams9970]

Personally, if you can act that's okay in my opinion. But the ones who are crap, I feel like we should call them out. Dakota Johnson is a great example, she wasn't that great of an actress, so why the hell did they make her the lead in 50 shades of grey!? To this day, most of her movies arent that great. No hate on the actress but she is taking away from actual talent and it's annoying. But also, this isn't anything new and it will probably never change.

[@dnikkithatsame5990]

Her mom was a nepo baby too… so it’s doubly disappointing because her mom beyond one film wasn’t great

[@Whackadoo1]

She is better in indie roles, like the Suspiria remake and A Bigger Splash.

[@Whackadoo1]

@Randy White I still haven't seen that movie yet. I need to get that done finally.

[@DanaJaneWriter]

so not true. Dakota Johnson is one of the very best . She is an amazing actress

[@thebidding.870]

Persuasion ahhh!!

[@sylvia1797]

I feel like older actors that benefited from nepotism (Jane Fonda, Jamie Lee Curtis, for example) at least openly acknowledge that their famous parents and connections played a role in their careers. Millennial/Gen Z nepotism babies seem to write it off a lot more and chalk everything up to their "hard work"

[@Hudpix16]

I think we also seem to forgive them more due to the fact they’ve been doing that for decades now. Most young people wouldn’t know Fonda and Lee Curtis came from famous parents. If they had been bad they would have never lasted. Halloween was a low budget horror film though, Jamie Lee was a nobody.

[@sylvia1797]

@@Hudpix16 Agree. I also think because of how long they've been acting and the resumes they've built, they're probably more confident in their careers and abilities and can thus more comfortably admit that they benefited from nepotism in the early stages.

[@migaish_]

I was about 11 when Jaden Smith's Karate Kid came out. There wasn't a lot of advertising for it (at least in AU), and one of my teachers put it on thinking it was the original (we had a movie day at school). Us kids loved it and no one had really heard about it. But when Jaden's next film came out that also starred his father, Will Smith, it was marketed to death. Like posters all over the video stores, constant ads and trailers on TV. And then it flopped lol. Idk just something I remember happening and thought it'd be interesting to share