Why Hollywood won't fix its nepotism problem...

[@TaraMooknee]

Thank you for your patience, the cow and I are replenished from a nice long break and we're so happy to be back 😎

[@FinntasticMrFox]

Glad to see you back!

[@giuliavaccari5691]

Truly happy that my favourite human-bovine duo is back and refreshed!

[@DragonbornCanid]

welcome back!! glad to hear ur break was nice :D

[@jaylaalle5827]

good to see you back tara

[@63electricmayhem]

Happy you got a break!

[@lauraln3704]

The producers of euphoria recently did a global wide casting call for a show with The Weeknd called “The Idol”. They ended up casting Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose. You can’t tell me that out of the tens of thousands of people that applied they could not find a single person.

[@alisaurus4224]

“She was just the best person for the part!” **shrug**

[@mfitzburger5137]

Lily Rose is such an infuriating case, especially when you compare her to Johnny. Dude really looked all those talented aspiring actors and said "I'm gonna make it even HARDER for you to get where I am".

[@Xyrialyria]

A lot of the times, for these kinds of things, they only say they’re looking for someone to fit a role, while already having someone specific in mind, if not already chosen, to simply drudge up traffic for whatever film project presented. Or projects in general honestly. Like u get more people talking ab the proj if a portion of these people deceivingly believe they actually have a chance of being a part of it. It’s gross.

[@IggyTheBalrog]

Darling, You can't expect the weeknd to rub shoulders with peasants! 🙄

[@maisiemoo_x]

that’s actually so depressing wow

[@restingsadface]

this is why I always liked Jamie Lee Curtis for being honest about the fact that she owes her career to nepotism with Halloween

[@TaraMooknee]

EXACTLY! And she happens to be talented and likeable, so we've got no beef with her!

[@jac-attack]

Yeah! I watched a show on the making of Halloween and the creators were like "idk who this girl is." then someone informed them of her mom and dad and they said "oh we'd be stupid not to use her" Luckily she was really talented and perfect for the part but she doesn't parade around saying who her parents are wasn't a huge reason for her success.

[@laurenconrad1799]

Agreed completely.

[@siobhanw4061]

Oooh, ‘beef’ … is Cow ok with that?

[@charlotteodonnell8175]

Carrie Fisher used to also be pretty up front and honest about her famous parents contributing to her getting her roles and her using her star wars cred to get roles when she was over forty. I always really respected that.

[@lulujones]

Rich people think life is a "meritocracy" because they're competing for jobs...with other rich people. May the best (rich) man win!

[@leehayes4019]

Its like a veil of ignorance, I doubt the rich and powerful can see the truth of their success. Also why would they want to? Human ego can only be undercut by a true effort to see ones own short comings and leg ups.

[@Syntox]

WOWWWW...ya NAILED IT

[@cmg25]

this comment should be a show. now, whomst shall we cast!? 🤣

[@Katie08822]

Have a rich family. Can attest that my mother regularly says my uncle had to fight hard and prove himself to become the CEO of the company my great grandfather started. She’ll swear up and down that her brother is the hardest working person she knows. He was up against like 4 of his cousins for the job, lmao. And god forbid he fail and end up as COO or CFO instead. So ridiculous. Meanwhile, his wife raised triplets and put in more hard work in a day than he did over the course of his entire professional career.

[@Thunderwolf666]

@@Katie08822 and this is driving at the crux of the matter. To the rich, life HAS to be a meritocracy to prevent them thinking of the injustice and inequality which has allowed them to get where they are. If it wasn't a meritocracy, why that would mean that poor people are poor through no fault of their own and rich people do not deserve the wealth the have accumulated! If its not a meritocracy then that would imply that the deck was stacked before they started playing the game, and that makes them feel bad. But they're rich! They shouldn't have to feel bad right? RIGHT??? it's the same thing when ghouls like Elon musk (and his posse of bootlicking followers) claim that he built himself up from nothing despite the fact that his father owned a literal emerald mine. Without a meritocracy, the myth of the self made millionaire is laid bare as a falsehood; they start to realise that everyone who got rich did so on the back of the working poor. And that makes them feel bad. So they ignore it and keep on clicking their heels together.

[@LezbeOswald]

i remember once watching an episode of Hannah Montana and Miley's like "Dad, there was a one in a million chance you'd become a rock star and you did. there was a one in a million chance i'd become a pop star and i did." and even as a kid i was like. but wouldn't him being a superstar help you??? they start us with this "nepotism doesn't exist" propaganda EARLY.

[@JanYaps]

Maybe that's why they made a whole show about how even though her father was a country star they gave her a stage name and pretended nobody knew who she really was. Just feeding that nepotism with fiction

[@SuperSPatrick]

Superstar? lol. He had ONE hit in the early 90's.

[@jackdaniels2905]

@@SuperSPatrick that hit was enormous.

[@SuperSPatrick]

@@jackdaniels2905 That hit was all he had an everyone was over it after that year.

[@HeismanHerbo]

@@SuperSPatrick and his achy breaky heart just couldn’t take it

[@helJNK1331]

I was quite literally take aback by the brutal honesty of Jane Fonda in the wired interview with Lily Tomlin. As answer to "How did Jane Fonda get famous?" she quite simply said "I was the daughter of Henry Fonda that's How I got famous". it's beautifully refreshing to hear just the honest truth instead of some kind of bullshit. Also: ☕☕☕

[@that_dam_baka]

You got a link?

[@blurrybaby225]

one of the reasons i adore jane fonda

[@marvel096]

was gonna comment this! thank u

[@kahkah1986]

tbf, Jane Fonda is old and established enough now to be able to say what she wants. Did she say that when she was young and just starting out? That would be bolder, as it might be taken to infer she had no real actual talent...

[@kelseycoca]

I fucken LOVE Jane Fonda

[@talefey]

Fun fact: The term "meritocracy" was coined pejoratively by British politician and sociologist Michael Dunlop Young in a 1958 satirical essay which was meant to call out the Myth of Meritocracy. I guess rich folks heard the word, didn’t read the essay, and thought, “Hmm, yes, I’m going to start using that word to describe my family’s dynasty.”

[@TaraMooknee]

damn, that's fascinating

[@TaraMooknee]

(that sounds sarcastic but it genuinely isn't)

[@talefey]

@@TaraMooknee I didn’t read it sarcastically lol no worries, BTW those puppy cow jammies are adorable!

[@susi5586]

There is a really interesting “Reasons to be Cheerful” podcast on this ☺️

[@paultidwell8799]

hey thanks for pointing that out a lot of people sadly don't know when it was first coined it was intended to be represented as dystopian in nature.

[@hobihope2981]

Emma Roberts is so aggravating (in general lmao but also) on the nepotism point. If she really believes her auntie Julia didn't influence at _least_ her first few big roles, she's absolutely delusional.

[@marjoriegillespie3219]

Her dad is Eric Roberts (Julia's brother) and he's also a famous actor, so she is like the ultimate nepo baby.

[@shoujokadyan5502]

I remember the marketing for her Nick show Unfabulous made it no secret that Julia Roberts was her aunt!

[@vredbt]

Evan if her family didn't actively did something to help her, her name is roberts, wich had to sound familiar to casting agents and producers

[@elatafalando]

Yeah... She is not that good

[@deerinheadlights7179]

i mean... i can't blame her that much. Sure it is simple logic and she should be able to recognize all that but there is always that... who of us knows how these people are risen, how they are taught... I know for myself i always and still live under the fear my mother is what stays behind most of what i see as daily advantage. It reach weird level of paranoia and suspicious I would say. For example how some teachers look on me comparing it to others no matter others just do not and that I do not even live with my mother for years now... And sometimes i just fall in despair and strong need to believe this is not true. What I mean is... we always should doubt others and ourselves The other thing is that... it is not fair but what in society is? We look up on them, we push them to a certain corner which we do not even want to recognize we do, we are the peasants ready to burn down the sick rich people if they were just rich... can't stand the truth what we look for in the face of justice that simply does not exist. We romanticizes the struggle comforting ourselves that this can bring some type of equality in a thing we can't change... Our struggles are too simple for them to fix because of the money so we want to see something they can't overcome that easy. Because no one is ready to make compromise and accept if they do not get everything they want. The celebrities loves their wealth and everything it brings them but are not ready to face the hate of society that comes with it, they want to be the perfect and loved imperators without giving too much and the peasants we are can't live knowing there is someone with better life if we do not see them in regular pain, a price for what we can't have. At the end we both sacrifice more than needed and for good or bad the alternative seems like utopia

[@missybarbour6885]

People who succeed may be loath to admit this, but I'll tell you who's not afraid to talk about it; people who failed. I work in theater in a midsize American city and in almost every show one of your leads will openly admit "Yeah, I tried to do the Hollywood thing, but I ended up back here. Everybody knows everybody and you have to know somebody to get your foot in the door. I just couldn't pull it off." But nobody wants to listen to the people who failed. They just get accused of being sour grapes.

[@Anatolij86]

Survivor bias

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

Some of the best shows I've seen have be in the local theater in my little New Jersey town. I mean pretty damn close to Broadway quality productions. Hell, the high school in my town, Point Pleasant Boro, puts on stellar shows! I strongly recommend everyone support their local theater. Not once have I walked out of a local show and said, "You know, that was really amateurish. I didn't enjoy myself and it was just...bad."

[@almada1113]

Don’t even talk theatre in this discussion. On stage, these nepotism kids of Hollywood would be laughed off of it.

[@felixoupopote]

Yep! Chicago is littered with astronomically talented people who didn’t have enough savings to make friends in Hollywood before they had to come back to rot in small theatre. It makes for great theatre’, but also a shitpile of broken dreams. Then again, they in turn are just as cliquey, so it’s hard to feel bad for them.

[@felixoupopote]

Why should an entree for a woman who was born with connections I will never have be welcome to me? Just be honest and ban poor people.

[@loveandcupcakes100]

My favorite commentary on nepotism is Jamie Lee Curtis who did an interview for Knives Out and she reflected on her career and said it straight she would not be where she was without nepotism and Hollywood is an exclusive club and she doesn’t want to defend or make excuses for it but she does take her work seriously and is thankful for the work she does.

[@violetfolgi]

do you by any chance remember which interview/ video it was?

[@MsDiMera2]

I've also read an interview where she openly talked about how she got where she was due to nepotism.

[@loveandcupcakes100]

@@violetfolgi Hi! It's a piece from The New Yorker. If you search "Jamie Lee Curtis Nepotism" it should be the first result.

[@loveandcupcakes100]

@@MsDiMera2 It might have been the same article, but I think she's also verbally talked about it in her Vanity Fair video

[@loveandcupcakes100]

@@MsDiMera2 But yeah, I loved the article. It was a refreshing perspective on the "nepotism baby" I always had a prejudice for it but gave me the benefit of the doubt that people can be self-aware and change.

[@catbeara]

"Nepotism helps more women to access jobs in the film industry." "Only 4.4% of films were directed by women, etc." Seems like nepotism isn't doing a very good job. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@athenajaxon2397]

And it sucks because women can seemingly only become directors if they're connected to a famous man. Sofia Coppola being the biggest example but more recently the director of the Fear Street trilogy Leigh Janiak married to one of the Duffer brothers and Reminiscence directed by Lisa Joy is married to Christopher Nolan's brother which is even more sexist since it means women's only merits are being connected to men

[@kamallb4650]

Just look at charlie's angel😣

[@jaywyse7150]

No rich woman wants to be a director. Too much work.

[@ArcticPrimal]

well that 4.4% is only for diretoring jobs and doesn't include other positions women got like acting and so on. How this got 1.6k likes surprises me bc the logic doesn't add up. I would say nepotism is doing a great job

[@Itzzy515]

The new fashion is each kid of a famous actor is now an actor or model. The series, movies are full of this famous kids. Lily Collins, Maya Hawke, Margaret Qualey, Kristen Stewart, daughter of Cindy Crawford, kids of Arnold, kids of Denzel Washington, kids of Will Smith, kids of Clint Eastwood, Bruce Willis daughter's, NOW Lilly Deep, etc etc etc etc...the list is only grow and grow. Seems that nobody of this rich kids have other interest in other careers and take the easy way to be "an actor" with the help or privilege of their parents. The sadly thing is the majority aren't prepared or have studied something related to acting instead many common people study years in academies to pursuit an acting career and they have work like waistress or something hoping an opportunity.

[@BubblyViolin11]

One thing many in the industry also don’t talk about is the immense amount of protection being a nepotism baby has. When you come into the industry as an outsider, you don’t know who to trust. You’re more susceptible to predatory agents, publicists, stylists, etc. And that’s on top of the already predatory directors, producers, casting directors, etc. When you have family in the industry, you’re automatically protected and don’t have to spend time navigating that whole web of people. You have a straight path to people you can already trust, and avoid a lot of the abuse that non-industry people are often subjected to. That in and of itself is a MASSIVE privilege.

[@springsummer7757]

👌🏻

[@k.v.7681]

Another quite hillarious one is Léa Seydoux (the latest french James Bond Girl). She claimed in media owing her career to her hard work alone, claiming to be insulted at the suggestion she benefitted from nepotism. She failed all schools she went to, even failed her 3rd grade (age 15) diploma. But her grandpa is the owner of the biggest french film production home (Pathé) and biggest theater owner. His brother (so her great uncle) works for the second biggest film production company (Gaumont). She grew up drowning in the millions of her parents, who own various stocks in petroleum companies and sports clubs (a collossal business in Europe). She said, quote translated "I never grew up in a bourgeois setting. It was the life of an artist, a bohemian life". and "my grandpa never lifted a finger for me". She currently is vice-president of aforementionned company, while her cousin is ceo of the second one. For context, she grew up in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, with Louboutin as a personal friend. That's like somebody living in a villa in Beverly hills saying "it's quite a modest setting, I see the poor people sleeping on the beach when I prune my palm trees".

[@leleprtk]

Bohemian lifestyle 😂 these people are insane

[@missfashionator]

Thank you elaborating on this!! I was totally ignorant

[@eliakim912]

Yes, and she is also a descendant of Guizot who was a famous French politician during the 19th century. Nepotism in this family is a tradition.

[@princessmanitari4993]

Note; pathe is also the biggest cinema franchise of the netherlands. Which is a whole 'nother country added into their milions

[@mi3helle707]

This made me cry 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@attabooii]

That's one thing I did appreciate about Carrie Fischer is that yes, her mother was Debbie Reynolds but she didn't hide that fact and always tried to honor her mother. Now it looks like her daughter is doing the same.

[@miaatkinson1067]

Yeah, she and her daughter were the first ones that came to mind for me. Also Jamie Lee Curtis.

[@pollyflores418]

She actually said it in her books, she didn’t even want to act, but it was the easiest way to get any work at all

[@crimson4066]

Family of Queens

[@Dave102693]

Related to Ryan Reynolds?

[@Cecile_P]

Yes, she even talks about it in her comedy show. It’s funny and very interesting because she explains a lot of stuff behind the scene of Hollywood and about her parents. She is very aware of it which makes her able to take a step back and analyses it. She also talks about other stuff like her alcoholism, bipolar disorder, how George Lucas ruined her life (she says it jokingly in the show but I think there’s some truth to it), etc.

[@jac-attack]

I kinda think it's funny that when a "nobody" becomes famous and successful, they will often give a lot of credit to their family for supporting them but someone like Nick Cage pretends his father isn't well known in the business and rich. Why don't the nepotism kids honor and respect their parents??? Lol like at least thank them for driving you to the audition they got for you.

[@b3rdlala]

Because the entrepreneurial spirit and the self-made man are an integral parts of the American dream. And the more sure they are of their own success, the harder they try to server the link to any form of support that would prove otherwise. It's nothing short of a sense of entitlement smdh

[@hanamarcetic5923]

What an amazing take, I laughed and I'm nodding internaly

[@Mycenaea]

Cute you think they actually drive their own kids. They have servants that do that kind of stuff.

[@Updog89]

This is such an interesting observation. I think it’s absolutely a defense mechanism. The folks who allowed a relative to help them will never be able to say with perfect certainty that they would’ve made it on their own. They may be truly talented and worthy of their success, but they can’t ever be sure that’s why people love them. It must haunt them.

[@maximcypher3109]

Nick Cage's uncle is the famous director,Francis Ford Coppola, Nick's father was a literature professor, who was successful in his own right within his field. Though, the whole Coppola family is full of artists, his aunt is Talia Shire, and cousin Jason Schwartzman (all those Wes Anderson movies)

[@angelinap.3840]

This is why I love Jane Fonda. Because when asked how she got famous or about her early years she always honestly answers "because my father was Henry Fonda". She also said she didn't even want to be an actor initially, but she got fired as a secretary and fell in love with it in the process.

[@hannaheve868]

Yes and although I think she's only admitted to some of her surgeries (which is better than admitting to none), in an interview she said something along the lines of "I look this good at my age because I have money" which is honesty that's really refreshing to hear.

[@mads597]

Jane Fonda literally can not be bothered, she’s too busy being real

[@dollinterrupted]

Love her

[@tiffystrangebirdbrown6844]

I hope you also give money to the "Why lie, I need a beer" bums.

[@tiffystrangebirdbrown6844]

@@hannaheve868 also Jane Fonda should never be mentioned without reminding people of how she posed with starving abused POWs. Not okay, idk who you are, Hanoi Jane.

[@a.lferry6185]

It isn't just hollywood that has a nepotism problem, it's just the arts in general. One of my lecturers at film school (i'm a dropout now lmao) would go on and on about starting as a runner and ending up filming all of the large events in melbourne. Turns out his dad was one of the most prolific DOPs in the country and the only reason he got his degree at VCA (one of the most prestigious art schools in Aus) despite failing out of secondary school is because he basically grew up on a film set with his dad.

[@lizdexamphetamine]

jumping in as an ex art student from melbourne- the amount of classism and racism in the system is insane. black students are held to such a different standard, and rich students get a free pass for pretty much anything. hate this shit man

[@lizdexamphetamine]

the school i went to championed itself as being a historically aboriginal school but there is only white people in the staff. racism goes unpunished. as well as the way it pretended to be accessible to those with learning disabilities when it was one of the least understanding enviroments i had ever been in. ended up getting expelled when i became homeless, as i couldnt get there on time all the time. explained this to staff to no sympathy or even acknowledgement. love the arts!

[@dissonantdreams]

Yeah, it’s the same in the music industry as well.

[@kmay6803]

I just graduated from VCA with a BFA, can confirm. So many kids with successful parents basically get drooled over by professors lmao

[@GreenSnapShot]

Honestly same with most industries unfortunately. I’m a scientist and it happens constantly

[@StevieDecks]

I loved the Bo Burnham interview where he was asked what advice he had for kids who wanted to be comics and are recording videos in their bedrooms like he did as a teenager. He very frankly said (paraphrasing) “I got very lucky. Don’t use me as a blueprint for success. Taylor Swift telling you to follow your dreams is like a Powerball winner telling you to invest in lottery tickets.” I feel like the people who made it in without those connections are the people who will be the most honest about how difficult it is, even for people with incredibly privileged upbringings.

[@hungryhungryhippocampus7889]

This. As someone with very tame creative success, I feel like it's my duty to yell about my luck and tell people to become an electrician just in case. Working your ass off is no sure thing.

[@kroseun]

I love him

[@tim..indeed]

You can so often tell that successful comedians are so much more intelligent than actors or singers.

[@maryvi5270]

Real question, does Taylor Swift 's parents are in the entertainment industry??

[@maryvi5270]

@@jo-eo9ld OMG I never knew that

[@voceangelo]

"One: They're actors. Stop asking them to also be writers, producers, directors, costume designers, contortionists." Ma'am, you just won yourself a subscriber with that.

[@AC-mp7cx]

this applies to music too

[@panocasabe8227]

Well, it's actually a very bad advice. What people mean by that is to NOT WAIT on CHANCE and start doing your own stuff so that people can see your work. You don't HAVE TO DO IT, it's just better than waiting. It will not guarantee anything but still, you are "doing" what you like

[@vlogily8043]

Except for veteran actors, they should move on and make space for up and coming actors, like “Dolittle” should not have starred Iron Man and that was just one of the many bad decisions around that movie

[@guitarsimon1]

This woman is a genius, everything she says is just so succinct and correct.

[@TheBiggestMoronYouKnow]

@@vlogily8043 the greed is insane! Why don’t these uber rich white people help lift up others?

[@Icelynsinging]

Chris Pine is also honest about his benefit from nepotism! When someone interviewed him and asked how he got the princess diaries two roll with only a guest appearance in a soap before, he literally said, “good old-fashioned nepotism.” 😂

[@hakaqua7712]

@Rachel Forshee but MOST don’t admit it. 4 famous people admitting it does not mean most actors in the industry credit their nepotism.

[@Mia_M]

@Rachel Forshee The majority don't admit it and play coy when asked about the role nepotism plays in getting auditions and roles. Billie Lourd (Carrie Fisher's daughter) admitted to having a personal meeting with Ryan Murphy prior to booking Scream Queens and we all know how she booked her minor role in the resistance in Star Wars. But many of them aren't open. Nicolas Cage changed his last name and pretended he wasn't a Coppola. And there are loads of others who you don't realize have famous parents until it's mentioned in an interview or you look them up.

[@rachel3760]

This is why I don't have a problem with influencers being invited to the Met Gala or starring on tv shows. People complain they're just a pretty face and didn't "earn" it but almost none of your fav celebrities "earned" it either babe.

[@idontknowmyname.9202]

I think the same!!! most of them are middle class who be able to find their own way to get famous! why would people need to gatekeep so bad??? As if hollywood industry is a royal family or something...

[@nostradamus1162]

yes like what did hailey bieber do to deserve being there?

[@hugsandfries7252]

This right here! I always found it so haterish to not want influencers at met gala

[@bread2951]

Wait what? Do people who love nepokids not love these influencers? I thought they did for some stupid reason.

[@SSBB4]

A lot of influencers are also children of rich and connected. It’s already become an arm of Hollywood.

[@donewitheveryonesshit2474]

In German we call nepotism “Vetternwirtschaft” which directly translates to “cousin-economy” (Vetter being a very very old word for cousin) and I think that sums it up pretty well.

[@lake2096]

Interesting fact

[@donttalktomebye]

this makes me wanna learn german lol

[@jennbrandon8182]

It is more Like "Cousin Business"

[@Mukkki]

You know that nepos means cousin or grandson??

[@martinsriber7760]

@@Mukkki Nephew/niece/granson/granddaughter.

[@jacobchaudoin9680]

I loved that nepotism article. Saying that nepotism is good because women sometimes benefit from it is like saying the monarchy is woke because there's a queen. God, 'The Atlantic'...

[@nataliekhanyola5669]

that's "girl boss" feminism for you.

[@decoraqueena6413]

The funny thing is, those same women in power will stop at nothing to tear down working class women and make their lives miserable. Female conservative politicians are a prime example.

[@cmg25]

hilarious

[@Robstafarian]

@@decoraqueena6413 Liberation of any kind never serves the interests of the powerful, regardless of gender.

[@sarahtaylor4264]

Weirdly enough, woke feminism never makes me feel empowered. It usually makes me pissed off and embarrassed. And, yes, I happen to be a conservative-leaning woman who hates being told I only think the way I do because I'm brainwashed by the patriachy so do what we tell you without question. I'm not stupid people.

[@valeriemiller8974]

One thing I've noticed from having a former friend who is a child of a well-known parent is that they often don't understand how easy their lives are compared to other people. They genuinely think that other people get lots of auditions. And everyone around them tells them that they earned everything they have because they think that they can have better access by helping the famous person's child. They live in a very entitled well constructed fake world. And if you point it out (like I did) they will cut you off and accuse you of jealousy.

[@mmgs1148]

Its def comfy living in that state of denial, they are just trying to silence their sense of morality

[@johannaelloso9418]

Glad u cut them off lmao they are insufferable

[@ducklingscap897]

@@mmgs1148 I don't think it's like that for many. My parents are rich. I remember when someone told me they make 20.000 and I thought: That's not a lot for a month are they ok. Just to be told they make that in a year. It was completely mind blowing for me. But while I objectively understood that there are poor people and that their life is more difficult because I've been told that. I didn't understand it. It was only after I decided to live on my own when I started attending university without noteworthy help of my parents and losing my part time job due to covid that I realized what it means to worry about paying the bills or what it means to be poor. Most teen movies or other types of media don't feature realistic poverty (if they ever feature poverty at all) it's mostly underdog stories or ugly duckling to swan stories and it's not exactly like I've watched well made documentaries as a kid. People born into rich families can relate to being poor like most people in the western world can relate to a starving child in Africa. Objectively you know there are children starving in Afrika or Asia. But that doesn't make you realize how precious food is when you grew up with a stuffed fridge and the ability to buy easily food. The children in Afrika are an abstract concept in your mind and even watching a good documentary is not going to make you understand their situation 100%. I mean just look at the food waste western countries have or the amount of sweets and fast food we eat or how many people donate even just 1 or 2€ a month to organizations meant to help. It's pretty clear there is no real appreciation on a wider scale. Yet you most people wouldn't say that people who can quickly go to the supermarket are silencing their sense of morality because there are children starving at the other end of the world.

[@anonymoussaga8723]

It reminds me of people who are extraordinarily talented at something saying that they just worked hard (see Richard Feynman claiming that he was an ordinary person who studied hard, even though if you look at accounts of his youth it’s quite clear to the rest of us that he was always far from ordinary). Like, yes, hard work is important, but it only gets you so far. But because they’ve had their gifts (either murky stuff like talent/intelligence or concrete stuff like connections/money) from the start and have never known any different, outliers often really have no idea of how different their experience is from the average or what it’s like not to have their advantages, and sort of implicitly assume that anyone could do what they can if they just tried.

[@common-girl]

The thing with hollywood nepotism, it gives us a glimpse of what is happening literally on every level. For example Gates, his kids will inherit the win, and continue to push his poison. Same with politics, the kids of Trump with continue his legacy and probably one of them will run for prez in the future.

[@lilynash]

My best friend from high school Alyssa Latson was being looked at by the producers of Stranger Things and was considered for the role of Robin (in season 3), she was able to audition but they gave it to Maya Hawke, the daughter of Uma Therman and Ethan Hawke. Nepotism is alive and well in Hollywood.

[@ailsa7471]

As much as I love Maya and can't imagine Robin as anyone else, to this day I still have the feeling that the role should go to someone else

[@ikeepscreamingbutgodwontan3132]

I'm so sorry... This was such a big chance for your friend... If she's still looking for roles or ever does, I hope this doesn't happen...

[@straxsa]

this is so sad :(

[@IeopardIimo]

And I think Mayas brother will be playing in the new season this is so crazy

[@mi3helle707]

Big yikes.

[@BroeyDeschanel]

There's nothing I hate more than watching a show/film and being like "this person is so ill-suited to this character, and doing a generally bad job", only to find out that they're a nepo-baby. Amazing vid as per usual!

[@annushankar3032]

so i googled her, and wtf her mom was in coranation street!!

[@arthoeinc.3469]

And Lena's excuse seemed to be that because her mom is an artist, rather than someone in the entertainment industry, she didn't benefit at all from her connections. Like, anyone in the art world knows that if you achieve the level of success of someone like Laurie Simmons, you are regularly making connections/networking with power players in other fields, including (probably especially) the entertainment industry. She likely has major collectors in entertainment.

[@annabela.1673]

No wonder I thought throughout all Bridgeton serie that Daphne's actress was the weakest in the cast, very bland acting. And though the character wasn't that interesting to begin with, some actresses are able to put more personality to their roles, but not her in this case.

[@Kick0a0cat]

Honestly at this point I would be surprised if I heard Lena Dunham say something insightful. She's peak white feminist.

[@ambriaashley3383]

Yup!! Also that Emma Roberts impression is exactly how I expect her to sound 😭😭 I used to like her well enough but with her past actions & words she seems to be ... a bad person

[@AnnamarieForcino]

SHE'S BACK!!!!!

[@TaraMooknee]

hiiiiii 🥰

[@kayenjee]

😍

[@someofmyplantsarestillaliv5037]

yes indeedy!!

[@Neddoest]

Thank. Goodness.

[@riley6424]

legends supporting legends

[@BeyondBrii]

I can’t remember where but I read about this recently, almost all british actors went to private schools costing like £45k a year! Only seen it called out by people like John Boyega and Daniel Kaluuya as they’re working class and got help along the way and want to give back to other working class actors

[@MadameCorgi]

I think you're talking about Sylvia Young's school, which is about 9k a term. The BRIT also has many famous alumni and is free. Most stage schools are expensive though. Speaking of Boyega, he attended an acting school (identity acting school) designed to improve opportunities for minority actors so some people in the industry are working to address inequality in education for actors (though this school is still expensive).

[@BeyondBrii]

@@MadameCorgi yeah I have friends who went to Brit, but most don’t make it as far as the rich kids, and I saw a list, it’s not just the acting schools, it’s their primary and secondary education that’s expensive too (from 10 to 50k or so)

[@LynnAgain83]

Yep. Just like how the schools in the hood are rated D or F. Studies have shown if the lower income/poor had more access to higher rates middle schools, high schools, etc. there's less mental health issues, higher graduation numbers, better grades, and so on. Yet it hasn't changed. It frustrates me because I see so much potential in my children & others in my neighborhood, but they're not able to show their talent because of the lack of extracurriculars, lack of money to get into stuff like that, and generally being held back by society because you're disability, poor or both. Black, White, Hispanic deserve the same rights as middle class, upper middle class and up. Obviously, you have to work hard for something as well, but I think many understand the gibberish I just wrote lol Much love to everyone ✨💛✨

[@PHlophe]

@@BeyondBrii all the way from Kindergarten. see that is why i admire Kaluya and Boyega , its so few of them in there . they started super super small and got the smallest opportunity .

[@luiza.limaneves]

Gemma Arterton also talked about it in regards to having a "middle class" accent and stuff, also Kaya Scodelario

[@sandras.papallona1730]

I think there's still an issue even when nepotism is recognised. When most people in the industry know each other's family and have similar backgrounds, there is an obvious lack of diversity which means there's a lack of different perspectives on their works. This is why films and tv struggle with reflecting the diversity of the society they are trying to appeal to. This video has made me think of the term "Hollywood royalty" and how, in the same way dynasties have suffered due to the lack of genetic diversity in their blood, Hollywood suffers from a form of "cultural endogamy"

[@PHlophe]

their realism often feels like cosplaying

[@casir.7407]

yes!!! theres something about thw specific examples of those two actors from that after movie tara mentioned -both of them feel like they look like a dozen other actors. they have such bland CW-pretty faces that i wonder how anyone manages to recognize them

[@eggo9543]

Wow, that last sentence, i might have to steal that for an essay, phenomenal take!

[@sandras.papallona1730]

@@eggo9543 feel free to quote, although you may want to check if someone else has come up with the term "cultural endogamy*

[@eggo9543]

@@sandras.papallona1730 definitely will!!

[@NIKKI.KO99]

I was in the modeling industry in NYC about ten years ago (around age 15, they want you to start young) and this was happening then but it's an even bigger problem now. Some of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen moved to the US and sent a lot of their earnings to their poor families in their home countries. They made a living but were definitely not famous, recognized, or wealthy. It's an incredibly difficult job full of rejection, objectification, weighing yourself and getting your measurements taken in front of everyone, pressure to do coke because it suppresses your appetite, multiple castings each day all over the city, not to mention the absolutely disgusting inappropriate behavior by photographers and agents and incidents of SA (which happen ALL. THE. TIME). It's a morally corrupt industry. So when the Jenners/Hadids/Hamlins get their plastic surgery funded by their famous parents so they fit the look of a model, it's definitely frustrating to people that don't have the same relations or connections.

[@ThingsILikke]

That is because modeling is basically sexual exploitation and westerners are aware of this and do not play the game. I was scouted twice to be a model and I just said “no” and walked away. Yeah I’m pretty, I’m not impressed that someone thinks I could model and I have no interest. Eastern Europeans are very poor and will be impressed and do prostitution for opportunities. Westerners are smarter and no hard up for money- so the people who are protected from the creeps will work in the industry. It is only fair.

[@NIKKI.KO99]

@@ThingsILikke My point was that people from famous families get these big campaigns very quickly and do not go through the hardships that other people do. They have an advantage. And let’s be honest, if they didn’t have the famous connections many of them would not be models.

[@ThingsILikke]

@@NIKKI.KO99 yes I know- with modeling in particular though no one should be doing it. It’s all sexual exploitation.

[@sunbeam42]

I think most of those people you mentioned didn’t get plastic surgery, but were blessed with good looks and good industry connections

[@thebloodletter7824]

@@sunbeam42 Kendal Jenner and Bella Hadid have a 100% had plastic surgery.

[@Puggers15]

This reminds me of the scandal that occurred when it came to light that several Hollywood babies or kids of wealthy parents were only accepted to colleges here in the US after their parents paid for other people to take their SATs for them or they padded their portfolio so it looked like they were outstanding athletes. The US is all about nepotism when it comes to admittance in universities and colleges. You have legacy students who are admitted because their family went to a school or they donated a ton of money or a building is named after them.

[@Aristochronic]

I was so confused by that scandal. People were like “omg I can’t believe these rich and powerful people are using their resources to give their children an advantage over the children of people with less power and influence” like that hasn’t been the status quo for the entirety of human history, lol

[@MistyWarden]

@@Aristochronic I wasn’t at all surprised that they cheated and that scandal really revealed the amount of people who also didn’t think that just being in a stable family is a huge step up for things like college admissions. They actually thought the playing field was fair as long as your parents aren’t breaking the law to give you an advantage. Things like having a bed, reliable food, not having to work while also in high school, not even including exclusive private schools as tutors, SAT prep cram courses, and expensive hobbies are all completely legal and still stack the deck.

[@StarlaBizarre]

One of the most confusing and obvious "scandals" of all time. A former B-rate actress paid her child's way into school?! No way! :o

[@yesthatsmycat9919]

The way the US does College applications is totally different from some other countries, you handle your application, cover letter, some academic docs, it's all too subjective. While in some other countries it's through a written entrance exam, with objective questions, in an anonymizable form of test. A subjective form os application, like cover letter, interviews etc, it's easier for you to pick someone's son to be accepted.

[@arich20]

@@yesthatsmycat9919 omg I hate that this not the norm

[@bouncingbuttons7441]

I think we should also point out that this exists in general corporations as well. Billionaires don't just become billionaires by being tech geniuses working on old computers in their garage with nothing but a few dollars in their pockets. They get money from their parents, which is often gotten through exploitation of marginalized groups. If I see one more person defending Elon Musk by talking about what a self-made genius he is, I'm going to lose my mind.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

I can’t even imagine myself defending the billions of taxpayer dollars going into his sorry ass every day. He recently wrote a sinister tweet about Bernie Sanders because Bernie wanted him to pay his taxes. He is a walking, talking jerk.

[@Roblox-jb2vf]

@@charisma-hornum-fries you mean the "I keep forgetting you're still alive" tweet?

[@xtinkerbellax3]

Or Bezos's parents giving him a couple hundred thousand, clearly you have money if you can invest that much in your kid's endeavor. You need money to make money a lot of the time, and we like to ignore that a lot of successful people come from money. Then people scream, "but they took risks!", yea, because they could. If Amazon didn't work out, Bezos could have gone back to making good money doing what he was doing before, he could have lived with his parents who clearly have money, etc. Someone of limited means taking a risk means they could end up homeless or unable to feed themselves. People will just bend over backwards making excuses for these people because they want to believe that could be them when it can't be, not without the money and connections.

[@lauryrodriguez7229]

The Elon musk thing blows my mind every time I hear it 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@drewlax23]

Thank you. Every politicans kids for example. Look at Hunter Biden?! He's a literal woman abusing crackhead who destroys everything he touches with receipts to prove it all. He still is handed huge companies to run and make money off when he should be in jail!

[@EllaSlaughter]

that pro nepotism article and Lena’s defence are so mind boggling tone deaf - even for Lena Dunham, and THATS saying something.

[@camdenhunt7565]

it’s her total disregard of the fact that she made it to where she is and was able to make her first short film at 21, it premiered at Tribeca, and then got to pitch an incomplete script to HBO and thought she got all of those opportunities based on her “natural talent” and not her parent’s connections🙃

[@DreamItCraftIt]

@@camdenhunt7565 More like Lena Dumbham

[@brib6046]

@@DreamItCraftIt she should legally change her name to that

[@DreamItCraftIt]

@@brib6046 🤣

[@BaronVonLethal]

One of the most overlooked components of nepotism is laziness. Do you put the effort into finding the best person for every part of a project, or do you get someone from your social circle (who are all likely industry brats)?

[@Sarablueunicorn]

Parasite (korean movie)

[@that_dam_baka]

Hmm... Sia's movie where she cast a family friend as a disabled person cz the disabled actor "couldn't handle it"?

[@maebandy]

It's not laziness in casting. It's about not wanting to spend time indoctrinating a newbie to the expectations and silence implicit in the industry. Kids that grow up being taught to comply know better than to know better. *skipped a word

[@j_rm8883]

@@maebandy this is a good point

[@nicolelooton6134]

This is a thing in a ton of industries, for instance in alot of bars, the managers/owners inherited their roles or the bars themselves, the supervisors r their friends and the minimum wage staff do all the duties and have alot of responsibilities and can work 10-20 years in a place and never be considered for a supervisory role because the manager and/or owner always knows someone who needs a favor.

[@fatemakhanpurwala1473]

I m an Indian sooo....i was sitting in my history class my professor said " When Bollywood first started all the actors were mostly from the really from the bottom of the society since it was considered a shameful job for both men and women but slowly it became something that was filled with people who belong to only top layer of power dynamics

[@mckernan603]

Musicians were also lowly servants going back 150 years

[@whims6278]

Very interesting thanks

[@zefiro6829]

"Grass doesn't grow on trees" is the most magnificent phrase I've ever heard.

[@Etsba_]

True, mind you there is a plant called The Grass Tree which is neither grass nor a tree. (Native to Western Australia, properly known as the balga and quite a fascinating plant).

[@MsSonali1980]

@@Etsba_ Australia is really the best country. I wanna visit so badly.

[@c.w.3103]

This reminds me of a quote I heard somewhere “Rich people are always encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles because all they do is wake up in their mansions and workout.” Those same people are constantly talking about how hard they worked to get to where they are or fabricating rags to riches stories to appeal to the very same people they probably will never understand or relate to. This actually makes me angry because I am a writer and literally every single writer I look up to has wealthy parents and/or went to a very prestigious university, so they either have the connections or the money to spend hours on their work. I haven’t touched my manuscript in weeks because I’m exhausted from work and trying to keep my head above the water that is life. And what makes me even more upset is that sometimes the books aren’t even written well.

[@davidribeiro1064]

So much this.

[@nicolelooton6134]

Rich people who pretend they were ever working class (which is ALOT of them) is my pet peev. Its insulting

[@Rhaifha]

Ah yes, the "I got my life together by building an at home gym and having daily sessions with a personal trainer". Yes, yes. Easyyyy.. /s

[@dbfangirl8484]

YAAAASSS! I saw they are making Station Eleven series on HBO. The book was terribly written IMO and it recieved awards. Like wtf I could've written that.

[@agneslabyselberg6756]

Find a rich husband.

[@matthewmcneany]

Sport - In theory the ultimate meritocracy - is surprisingly nepotistic too. Almost like we live in a society or something.

[@potato5602]

the 4 hazard brothers all play soccer at least 2 of them are a part of the Belgium national team.

[@matthewmcneany]

@@potato5602 Yeah, and nobody would suggest that you can maintain that level without working really hard and being naturally talented. I don't know too much about the Hazards outside of Eden, but the people I was thinking about in the English game (your Lampards, your Rednapps) benefitted from getting into the best acadamies and junior teams at 4 or 5 years of age (there's a similar problem with drama schools mentioned briefly in the video too), the educational advantages start really young in some cases, and those just aren't options avalable to most people. To say nothing of just growing up ensconced in the industry (certainly not always a good thing for the individual child, in terms of mental health and wellbeing, etc.). But it's complicated and morally fraught, in general people like to emulate their parents: kids of doctors become doctors, the children of carpenters are more likely to become carpenters, Parents will generally encourage their kids to develop the skills that will make them proficent in those fields and not others. Conciously in some cases subconciously in others. As the video points out it's important to acknowedlge that phenomena exists, even if there's not anything obvious to do about that fact, just simply acknowledging a bias exists makes you less suspeptable to it. I guess it doesn't always work out that way though 'cos on the other hand you can get an Alan Carr from time to time.

[@SoWhosGae]

And weirdly enough the medical field too

[@sewerrat8096]

I don't know much about sport but I'm sure many there are people who have a lot of natural talent for sport can't pursue it because they can't afford training etc. also things like sports/acting see very few people succeed so many talented people may not want to pursue those careers because they need a safer option to support them and their family. unfortunately pursuing the arts/sports is a luxury

[@eline6731]

This made me think about F1, where it is absolutely impossible to get into racing at all, let alone make your way into F1 if your family isn't eyewateringly rich

[@Corinnasmusic]

"People never being able to pursuit their real passions or talents because they've literally got to work to survive"...watching this at work and it hits home. My whole life has been wasted potential. I've done the best I could on my own leading a double life. Thanks for the validation....

[@mcmandy086]

I feel the same way as you.

[@maddychurchhouse4556]

Jumping in my seat when you mentioned how many British A-listers went to Oxbridge! It's not even just that privately educated peeps are wildly overrepresented (they are), it's that this tiny group of specifically the most elite boarding schools (Eton, Harrow, St Pauls, etc.) come up again and again!! See Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike, etc etc ad nauseum. And it's absolutely the same in the music industry to. But no-one just ever bloody admits it because our society relies on pretending class mobility exists and eltism isn't a problem!! Chris Eccleston and James McAvoy are both really vocal about how the industry has increasingly closed ranks on working class actors over the last 2 decades as funding for community drama programmes and scholarships is seen as a frivilous luxury instead of a necessity. The days of Sir P Stew coming from a dirt poor family in Jarrow to a knighthood are long effing gone. We live in an oligarchy and it just boils my piss.

[@ailsa7471]

Wait didn't Rosamund attend badminton and the tuition per semester is five thousand pounds - seven thousand pounds??? (Imo that's cheap and not really an "elite" school)

[@hannahwebster5606]

@@ailsa7471 Most ordinary people couldn't afford to spend £15,000-£21,000 on their child's school fees.

[@yespls6260]

"boils my piss" I love that 🤣 I'm American but I'm going to adopt that phrase

[@ailsa7471]

@@hannahwebster5606 no, what I meant is, is that I don't think badminton is an "elite" school bc for that tuition fee it's kinda too cheap to be one. The average tuition for an "elite" school is around 20 thousand pounds a minimal and that's before dormitory which is around five thousand pounds, which is way overpriced (and no hate to badminton and the students attending, it's a rlly good school)

[@sosos4306]

Made me think of when Adele was on Graham Norton and asked the other actors, who were talking about who they went to school with, if those were all private schools :D

[@akn_Ent.]

It's extremely soul crushing. I was accepted into the best acting school in the US. They gave me a scholarship and told me that my acting was good enough that I didn't even need the education for it (I wanted to go because it was the only way to get into the film industry especially when you're not from the USA (me)). I couldn't go because if was way too much money even if I had the scholarship and it just breaks my heart to hear that I have the talent and the face and the entertainment aspect of the job, but I just don't have the money/connections for it. Like how heart breaking is that, it literally almost drove me into pure nihilism because money will always triumph talent. Aaah just ranting my sorrow away :(

[@graceddiegallagher]

i’m so sorry you don’t deserve that. i hope one day i will see your name on the big screen if there’s a twist of fate.

[@showchoir2056]

I get what you feel. It’s absolutely soul crushing. There’s not one celeb today that doesn’t have some form of a connection

[@breeandmegs6156]

I’m so sorry! Please continue to perfect your craft…I hope your time comes!

[@sparkle3024]

I’m sorry and I wish you the best

[@natalies1624]

if moneys tight: most big theatres will have a free/pay what you can evening for their shows. and try to get an agent. think about joining the union later down the road.

[@RavenWavesASMR]

"if you admit that this elitist structure benefits you, then people will quite rightfully turn around and say "well, what are you gonna do about it?" absolutely SPOT ON. so glad we've moved on from the stage where people are showered with praise for simply ~acknowledging their privilege~ like nah baby keep going! what next? 🤡 great video as always Tara and lovely to have you back!

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Honestly, so few people even acknowledge their privilege.

[@irismentor7985]

Excuse me, but what exactly do you suggest they do "next"? Not to sound antagonistic, but you can't expect every famous actor to, like, found a charity for social connections or something do you?

[@guy-sl3kr]

@@irismentor7985 You're thinking in extremes. No one expects every actor to each make their own charity, but it would be nice if they promoted actors who didn't already have connections, give roles to minorities, create opportunities for nobodies to get noticed, etc.

[@esikazemese]

@@guy-sl3kr Sure, I would give my roles up for someone more unfortunate as well :D Love that everyone is a hero on the internet.

[@guy-sl3kr]

@@esikazemese Who said anything about giving up roles? This isn't a zero sum game lol you don't have to fire someone for every minority you hire.

[@ruplayinggame3080]

I think the nepotism is clearly seen also in stories. Like JJ Abrams (son of Hollywood people) choosing to make Rey Palpatine's granddaughter, because no way could there be a force-sensitive 'nobody', just like Luke before her, it is all genetic, see?? and all the superhero movies have this weird thing where everything is bloodlines and that gives you power. I don't think they're aware of it, but it just bleeds into their stories.

[@loldiers3238]

And that "bloodline" fetish is eerily reminiscent of fascist ideology...

[@snazzydrew]

It's not really weird at all. It's entirely human and normal. That doesn't mean it's good... but bloodlines being important legit just make sense when you think about how human philosophy has shifted over 1000s of years.

[@fod1235]

Is it that deep?

[@alexisschiffer4830]

@@snazzydrew Yeah, centuries ago (and still today, but less so) your family lineage was the most important thing in your life. Even in the medieval ages, the book “Beowulf” has a whole theme about your family IIRC. And Christianity talks about ancestral sin.

[@ClarifyEht]

I never thought about that…wow

[@ariellelillian8644]

Wow it's wild that you're talking about this bc it has been on my mind a lot and NO ONE has. They try to sell you this "rags to riches" dream and even perpetuate classism and "I worked for everything I have." But do you KNOW how many people I found out this month are literally just Hollywood royalty? I mean modeling used to be a prestigious genetic thing, and now the three top models are Bella, Gigi, -& Kendall who all three BOUGHT their faces. Like what 🤦 make it make sense

[@ariellelillian8644]

@@bluepanther1013 she's certainly the most natural of the bunch but has absolutely had slight alterations. Her jaw, nose and cheeks are all different, more refined. I'm not against plastic surgery, & all of them look great. But there is literally a quote from some thinkswhotheyare designer that says "I don't appreciate models who have that face that literally anyone could buy." And then puts Bella right in his runway 💀 like, y'all ain't even slick anymore, you're just tacky.

[@ariellelillian8644]

@@bluepanther1013 makeup doesn't make the bulbous tip of your nose magically disappear. I'm sorry that you believe the PR 💀

[@brib6046]

sensei aishitemasu talks about it all the time. She had a live discussion talking about how a lot of actors come from wealthy families who recommended them for roles and even paid for their careers. Like Benedict Cumberbatch being super crazy wealthy and his family historically owning a bunch of land and enslaved people. Which is why so many Black people with roots in the Caribbean having the last name Cumberbatch. Or Emma Stone’s wealthy dad. Also there’s been a big discussion about Billie and Fineas Eilish and their established parents.

[@weenis6697]

every famous model in the past 40 years has had at least some plastic surgery. Though your point still stands that bella, gigi and Kendall are all nepotism babies.

[@user-ib2bt4ck7y]

Gigi has never had any plastic surgery lmao

[@emmacook3065]

The fact that actors think nepotism means just being handed roles rather than just being successful in the industry AT ALL tells you all you need to know

[@abathtub1411]

reminds me of people who don't think white privilege exists..

[@alyssajones4368]

HUGE facts.

[@sapphic.flower]

It’s weird how the article tried defending nepotism by saying “it gives female creatives opportunities” which kinda just sends me the idea that a) they think women need dependant help to create and b) the only way women can create is if they already have this rare privilege. It just sounded patronizing to me :p

[@Ryan-pg1tw]

Maybe you should express yourself more respectful about the article

[@sapphic.flower]

@@Ryan-pg1tw ?? What do you mean

[@loverrlee]

The article read like it was written by someone who got their job through nepotism and they are grappling with privileged guilt that we live in a socio-economic hellscape where meritocracy is only a lie the rich tell themselves so they can sleep at night.

[@solus8685]

@@Ryan-pg1tw how about no.

[@heytheatre7491]

"They're actors. Stop asking them to also be writers, producers, directors, costume designers, contortionists!" Tara, as an actor- instant subscribe. Literally all the people that say to just make your own work don't understand that's not what I studied and not what I want to do!

[@ericagreene1579]

your response to lily collins quote was spot on. they feel that it didn;t help bc everyone else had connections. the talented nepotism kids make it through. they don't consider how the talented poor or average people never get a shot.

[@loverrlee]

People like that don’t even *think* about those people as people. They see them as “the help.” :(

[@tubester4567]

@Elluminals Amy Shumer is a perfect example. A very poor comedian but still has a career, even after she stole jokes from other people.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

@@loverrlee Don't think we can generalize like that though.

[@helenablavatsky9136]

The thing about Lily is....she's so boring. I can't talk shit about Laura Dern, Jeff Bridges or Jamie Lee Curtis. But nepo babies like Lily? Yawn.

[@bluecollarlit]

Who is her connection, Chuck Schumer?

[@WhosBean]

Footnote: the idea that "positive thoughts" will bring you success which has become so common in the zeitgeist is usually espoused by people who were already basically guaranteed success from birth. For example, I have a friend whose father gave him THREE restaurants and he's always going on about how his success is all thanks to his "positive mindset"...

[@30seagullsinatrenchcoat11]

It's easy to have positive thoughts if you don't have to worry about money, and especially if failure isn't going to ruin you.

[@cmg25]

Wow 😭🤣👌

[@steppenfuchs5608]

It’s *the secret* … The (brainwashing)power of the “law” of attraction.

[@idkwhatsmynamelol9281]

EXACTLY!! Some people don't realize how privileged they truly are.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Oh yeah, I hate this ''positive thoughts'' BS.... Nauseating

[@gingersal8052]

I think the fact people like Jane Fonda or Jamie Lee Curtis are more honest about the way their families helped them, could be linked with their generations. From what I've read, nepotism was really frowned upon in the old Hollywood days. I remember several famous actors' sons going into depression and actually committing suicide in the 70s, because they were constantly compared with their parents and could not get a sense of identity.

[@MarlaSingersCancer]

Yeah, Lisa Marie Presley felt very burdened being the daughter of Elvis, she tried a few acting things and it didn't work out. I think in this era she'd be a huge star and would get given any role she wanted. But back then they couldn't waste time or money if the talent wasn't really there.

[@kelseycoca]

damn, what happened

[@painteasy]

yeah, also Liza Minnelli

[@sylvia1797]

I just came down here to say I feel like it's been more recent in the past 10-15 years or so that I've started seeing dozens of actresses/musicians who land big parts/contracts/etc. and I look them up and their parents are either celebrities themselves or obviously very wealthy/well connected in the entertainment industry.

[@sylvia1797]

@@painteasy To be fair, Liza was extraordinarily talented in her own right and, even if she felt burdened by her mother's legacy, definitely developed her own iconic image that is quite separate from Judy's.

[@aidanfriedfeld8889]

Uma Thurmans grandma has a statue of her. Uma Thurman is also a direct descendent of German royalty. I feel like nepotism aside having enough money in your family to just do what you love and never have to worry about personal finance is enough to really push someone forward into their career. I’d be doing exactly what I want if i never had to worry about money a day in my life.

[@no.6377]

I didn't realize anyone thought Hollywood was a meritocracy? Even in regular jobs, "networking" is emphacized because it's often more about who you know than what you know. But somehow, a shallow industry like entertainment is gonna be a meritocracy ? XD

[@tempesttossed6029]

True. I've gotten better odds getting your average retail job just because a family member already works there or is friendly with the staff or owner. It happens.

[@emmao6578]

Exactly, it's one of the reasons their (hollywoods) complete denial of nepotism is so utterly ridiculous, literally everyone does it! Find me a person without a single friend who got a job because of a family/friend connection and I'll show you someone with no friends.

[@fatalblue]

@@emmao6578 agreed. I literally got my first full time job through my aunt

[@markigirl2757]

I got my first job and future ones through people I knew too as well. I’ve been knowing this but there are still People refusing to acknowledge it and it annoys me

[@kennedytegan4024]

Another annoying thing is the whole financial support thing. If your parents are big movie stars and you want to go into acting, your parents will support you financially (AND emotionally--they'll be encouraging and supportive of your "dream") so that you can only focus on acting and not have to get a day job so you can pay the bills (especially since a lot of kids with rich and famous parents have access to trust funds). it's a lot easier to "hone your craft" when you don't also have to work 10+ hours a day at a minimum wage job just so you can meet your basic living needs.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

That's not another layer, that's literally what Tara explains in the first half of the video.

[@bigsistahtips]

I think it would be worse if they grabbed one of those jobs that “pay the bills” leaving another person jobless when they don’t need to work at all.

[@frida507]

Very true. In any artistic career it helps to have the backing to help you get through the first time before you start earning. I guess many poor/regular people have to spend too much time on their bread job and give up before their (possible) break through.

[@mini8129]

@@ygt2813 I think he went to a public school

[@natlamar9386]

THISSSSSS

[@claraclara9242]

I feel like a prime exemple of obnoxious nepo baby is Lily Rose Depp, in an interview she said "she has it harder then anyone who's not a daughter/son of because she has to work twice harder in order to prove she deserves her place" even thought she got casted straight away without auditioning multiple times : in an itw Louis Garrel (the director of a faithfull man) said as he was writing the script he was thinking of lily and just called her to offer her the main role, her first role was in a movie directed by his dad's best friend etc ... she's not a bad actress, she's average .. those rich nepo kids are so disconnected , to say you're working twice harder when you never had to work a minimum wage job in order to survive while trying to get auditions.... and they are surprised we except them to deliver phenomenal performances since everything where handed to them !

[@claraclara9242]

also a reason why i wouldn't watch the netflix show "maids" ,margaret qualley the super nepo baby trying to emulate what's in like to be lower class is unbearable to watch, it's the whole point of acting i know, but still unwatchable knowing in between two days of shooting that she attended the met gala dressed by chanel it's so cynical lol

[@homosapien7316]

They have this sense of entitlement that drives me crazy

[@cookiea2b3]

Someone who didn’t have the same opportunities or connections as her would have to work just as hard if not more to get the auditions and roles that are handed out quite freely to her. What she’s really saying is she has to work just as hard as someone who started out from nothing to prove that she deserves it, or else she really wouldn’t deserve it, and we’d have the right to talk trash about her.

[@vitortex1]

As someone who works in the film industry, I can say with 100% certainty that is not about talent whatsoever. It's about getting money thrown at you. You couldn't believe the amount of talented people you've never heard about. It's even easier to not be talented and to please executives or gatekeepers than the opposite, I would argue, because good work shakes the status quo and that bothers powerful people. By the other hand, they love people who look like them, who they can abide and relate to.

[@Chuck_EL]

When I tried to be a filmmaker (sci-fi, horror and mythological films was what I wanted to do) a producer's daughter told me straight up "You're a young black guy with lots of great ideas, you'll be lucky if you get a small black comedy sitcom to help write" when I was 19 my senior year, told me all I needed to know

[@ballstomper6756]

Unrelated but u look fine asf, king 👑

[@jaimes6152]

@@Chuck_EL self-fulfilling prophesy though, right? They're trying to keep you out by telling you straight-up "you don't have a place here".

[@MOTIVATIONBYDAR]

@@jaimes6152 Yes if they can stop you from even trying or getting in and possibly learning any industry secrets you can learn to start your own thing like Tyler Perry they will resort to it as the first line of defense/gatekeeping.

[@Cjn03980]

@@Chuck_EL This breaks my heart honestly. I always wonder how art would be if these "industries" allowed talented people to use their creativity to the fullest extent

[@neonhikari]

I tried my hand at acting when I was young and I even felt the effects of nepotism without having parents in the entertainment industry. I only got myself an agent because my mom’s friend from high school knew one, and with her help I got a few roles on TV. So for these people to say nepotism had nothing to do with their success is just a flat out lie. Definitely one of the worst feelings is seeing that on an upcoming actor or musicians Wikipedia page that their parents names are blue.

[@BaldinFlopera]

Literally

[@elainelouve]

I would say people with relatives who are in a creative field, will also benefit from their relatives believing that it's a valid career choice. They'll have all the support and opportunities, unlike those with especially blue collar families, whose relatives believe in "real jobs" (creative jobs aren't "real"). There's also a lack of knowledge, like if a kid wants to have this or that hobby, then the kid is pretty much on their own, unless there's someone who knows about the stuff. And you can't underestimate the value of someone believing in you. Hence even if there wasn't nepotism, these kids were born with a privilege.

[@Kappiccino]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Especially the part about creative jobs vs "real" jobs (namely doctor, lawyer, HR employee, etc.)

[@m.c.mcgrath8690]

Even if parents/direct relatives believe it's a valid career choice, doesn't necessarily guarantee success - my parents have always been supportive of my creative pursuits (music and writing specifically). The kicker is that both of them don't actively work in the creative field and so there are very few connections to lean on - the people who can rely on nepotism start at least a mile ahead of everyone else, and the rest of us are damn lucky if we can catch up.

[@luisaagudelo7782]

Yup. I made a similar point in another comment. Creative fields are kind of a bubble.

[@khloeknievel3874]

Money also plays a big role. Having a parent who can cover your rent while you focus on your art is invaluable. Many talented people have to step away from creative pursuits because they can’t afford to keep taking time away from their day job for auditions. I don’t judge anyone for accepting help but it’s sad see average people beat themselves up for “not making it” when the successful people they compare themselves to are actually being fully supported by rich families.

[@m.c.mcgrath8690]

@@khloeknievel3874 So true - I live with my parents which I know is a financial help, but I still work 30-40 hours/week to pay nearly other bill except rent (food, gas, insurance etc.). Also, while I'm incredibly grateful my parents are willing to support me in this way, we have a better relationship when I don't have to see them every day and I have a little space from them. I've crunched the numbers so many times and I come up with the same answer: the stars would have to align 10 times over for me to find a job that paid enough and had a flexible schedule so I could move out and fully support myself, let alone leave time for my creative pursuits 🤯🤬😤

[@emmy8526]

I will also say there’s something offensive about watching people who’ve grown up in gated communities, flying first class and going to private schools attempt to act real world situations, let alone as poor or working class people. At least Julia Roberts still has faint memories of being a waitress to draw on, you know?

[@elaexplorer]

It annoys me that all high school based movies/shows are based on high schools of 50 years ago because that's the last generation that went to a regular school.

[@lord_xylozdoomsday959]

Jim carrey lived in a caravan

[@reeciebehere]

@@lord_xylozdoomsday959 ditto

[@miken4879]

How is it offensive? It’s called acting. Do you think actors who have or have had cancer are the only ones who should play cancer patients? Only people who are descended from royalty can play royalty? I understand being frustrated with nepotism but being offended by literally the whole point of acting is laughable.

[@latebloomer4445]

its literally their job

[@HogantheLogan]

As someone who works in the film industry, nepotism is a serious problem. It is incredibly hard to break into the film industry if you don't already have connections. For many film positions, it is expected of you to move to LA, work 60 hours for no pay, and live off of what you have saved up in the bank just to have a chance to make it in the film industry. The film industry is definitely not a meritocracy.

[@inuyasha1910]

But nothing in america works like a meritocracy

[@6InchTruth]

Yep, I work in the industry too. It seems pretty much impossible at this point. I always find out that someone is connected in some way (cousin, sister, half sibling, child, spouse, grandma twice removed then reattached or whatever) I'm so over it. Lost way too much time and money on courses, classes, bs coaches etc. I had no idea just how rampant and full of shyt it is. I mean the figurative public bathrooms exploded and the shyt hit the ceiling and stuck on everything.

[@heg203]

i’m in the industry, too, as a tv writer/producer. the sheer quantity of rich and/or well-connected white men who just fail up and up the ladder in Hollywood is astonishing … well, i wish it was astonishing. actually it’s just exactly what you’d expect.

[@ThingsILikke]

In my experience (I don’t work in film) keeping all the opportunity close to the vest means that there isn’t any real opportunity left and the industry is dying. Trying to protect from outsiders because there isn’t enough to go around. Movies do seem to be going out of style.

[@6InchTruth]

@@ThingsILikke Maybe so. The same actors have been cycled over and over again for most of the industry's life span. Seems like a "shooting oneself in the foot” situation.

[@everwhatever]

The class issue you brought up with the British actors drove me insane when Fleabag blew up. Even though I understand Americans don't have the context to realize that the poshest accent in the world and a double-barrelled name SCREAM that you never had to worry about money in your life. Girls without connections can't found a theatre company at 22 and put on a one-woman-show before 30 because they NEED TO WORK TO SURVIVE

[@caraboo6812]

Shit, Phoebe is rich??? I didn’t know that 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@shirley444]

@@caraboo6812 a lot of British actors come from wealthy families that are lords, politicians attending private schools…….

[@the_lorax9079]

@@caraboo6812 James McAvoy spoke about it in an interview once, that actors in the UK like him (who did not come from money), are REALLY rare.

[@honeypeaches7736]

@@caraboo6812 She's still a fantastic writer/actor. But essentially...yeah lol.

[@davebrubeck]

"the daughter of Michael Cyprian Waller-Bridge, founder of the electronic trading platform Tradepoint, and Theresa Mary, daughter of Sir John Edward Longueville Clerke, 12th Baronet" -Wikipedia

[@VictoriaWhitlock]

An example of nepotism backfiring (literally) in Hollywood is the girl hired to be in charge of the weapons on Alec Baldwin's set had no experience, and she had been caught being careless in the past.

[@kaylamolkner4253]

do you know what her connections were?

[@VictoriaWhitlock]

@@kaylamolkner4253 she was the daughter of a famous exhibition shooter and armorer. She had only done one armor job before this movie but was the head of this one.

[@kaylamolkner4253]

@@VictoriaWhitlock that’s so horrible ew

[@nostradamus1162]

what the FUCK? that makes the case ten times worse somehow

[@ahsjsjsdhrhjrjrii911]

??? I hope she goes to prison for gross negligence???

[@gracelight7]

The thing that really gets under my skin, and it's usually with musicians 'who want the underdog story like they were 'just your average kid with a dream', I mainly think of billie eilish and finneas who kept getting marketed as 'just 2 kids making music in their room' when they grew up with 2 parents who were actors in LA. then there's Dua lipa, who used to love saying 'i used to waitress and live on meal deals' - when in actual fact her dad used to be a musician in her home country, and her parents paid for a london apartment for her.

[@gracelight7]

@Elluminals i knew about taylor and ed, but didnt expect that from Lana! just double checked now and youre right. she really went all out on the 'trailer park' origin story for someone with that sort of safety net, didnt she 🙄

[@raqueldeshow9678]

@Elluminals WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA😵‍💫😵🥵 Holy shit!

[@melisacaceres8740]

Don't forget Gaga saying it was hard for her to attend to school having Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as classmates and not being as rich as them 👁️👄👁️.

[@potatopotatoeOG]

@@melisacaceres8740 🤣💀

[@piarateking8094]

@@melisacaceres8740 not very hard to have less money then them lol

[@kristofermikal8927]

Stop asking Actors to be literally everything but Actors! You hit it right dead on girl! Hollywood tries so hard to “relate” to the masses and ignore how elite they treat themselves and everyone part of their biz.

[@EvaSofie]

They are still humans who can empathize though, in fact acting requires more empathy than usual.

[@thatsdisco]

@@EvaSofie you'd be surprised how many actors outside of acting don't put in the effort to empathize with others at all. Acting as a bare necessity for these kinds of folks is just knowing how to "pretend" feeling emotions and to then time them well.

[@EvaSofie]

@@thatsdisco The best actors do.

[@blakkablakkablakka5581]

clint eastwood and jonah hill can direct they ass of. Mid 90s is fire.

[@mcmandy086]

When they said "put your stuff on the internet, get it out there", I thought, well, creating content is a very different job (yes, a job) than acting. How are you going to ask an actor to learn the ropes of social media, BESIDES writing, filming, editing, etc?. People need to realize that those two activities don't go hand in hand.

[@rosie6]

I hate hate hate nepotism. People who deserve it can’t be seen and that’s so painful

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

I remember in the late 90s reading a music magazine article about "up and coming talent" Angelina Jolie, no mention at all of who her father is, it was just like she swept up on the beach one day, beautiful and talented, and made her way into Hollywood entirely unaided. She also had this "too cool to care" persona which I'm sure would be easy to cultivate when you have that many connections you can afford to sneer at them.

[@Chuck_EL]

I remember my dad (watches lots of 1960 and 1970 films especially Jon Voight films) and said to me "That's Jon Voight's daughter" I remember seeing him in "Anaconda" I noticed she tries to "deny " him I was like "She's a splitting image of her dad why would she even attempt to deny him??" Her brother and her are literally his doppelgangers Them eyes are distinctively them

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

@@Chuck_EL yeah she looks sooo much like him it's mad! I've heard that she's distanced herself from him because of some sort of substance abuse, maybe drinking, and not being there for her when she was growing up? Something like that. Can't remember exactly.

[@ThingsILikke]

Her mother was a successful actress also and Angelina dated a very powerful studio owner to get those jobs (the guy has probably been named by now, but the relationship was kept a secret.)

[@ClaireHaire]

I’m in tears lmao washed on the beach 🏖

[@maheenm.k1015]

@@ThingsILikke I remember she was in one of mc jaggers music videos (looked and is old enough to be her grandfather) and he just became obsessed with her for years and months. She had to unplug her landline because he rang non stop & she wasn't going to answer. While angie was creeped out and rejected him, her mother pushed her to be with him because he's good for her career and he'll show her around the industry. It's just so creepy that her mother liked 60 year old mc jagger tirelessly pursuing 20 year old angie because he's "good for her career". The dumb article framed it as "too bad, their kids would've had the perfect pout". I was like, could mc jagger even get it up anymore when he pursued angie?

[@worthasandwich]

Part of it also can be if you have a famous relative or come from money you can take the time to hone your craft. You don't have to work two jobs to make rent and hope you get off to go to auditions.

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

Yeah, I think by the last show of series Beverly Hills 90210, Tori Spelling could sorta, kinda act ........ a little.

[@abracadaverous]

I think most actors who have benefited from nepotism tell us they're only there because they are the most deserving because they are so desperate to believe that it's true. They convince themselves that they deserve their position because they have their own talent, but secretly they know they're taking opportunities from talented people with no name recognition. Like, what makes you think you're the best actor for a role if you didn't audition for it?

[@rachelmdiamond]

Or even if they DID audition. Like she said in the vid, the hardest part is getting into the audition. I love when people say that some crappy actor was the best one for the part, when they’re not even the right race. Meanwhile, someone I was in my BFA program would have killed in that part. But my classmate couldn’t get an audition

[@kreepietoast]

This. I think their worldview would crumble if they figured out who got them where.

[@jeyneo.8924]

Look genius, stabilished actors don't make castings at all.

[@rachelmdiamond]

@@jeyneo.8924 look genius, there are more than “stablished” actors involved in projects. And how do you think people get “stablished” in the first place? They have access to auditions earlier in their career.

[@jeyneo.8924]

@@rachelmdiamond Of course genius and once they do it and get a important part you have projects without auditioning. Maybe because you are a director's fetish actor, maybe because someome saw you in a project... Saying you are not fitted because you didn't audition is stupid. They cast you because of that exactly.

[@GinervaWeasleyPotter]

I always am mildly surprised if I Google a famous actor and it turns out their parents were engineers or teachers or something out of the industry or not owning some massive conglomeration. Or if their siblings are all living normal lives out of the spotlight. It’s sad how refreshing that is. It makes me like them more though

[@RedOak30]

I live in LA trying to make it as a screenwriter, and literally everyone I've talked to in the industry has shrugged their shoulders at me and said "It's about who you know. Once someone lets you in you'll be fine. But you have to find that someone first." The only people in Hollywood who deny this reality are the ones at the tippy top. All middle and bottom rung players are honest about it. And seeing that reality has put my off working here. Now I'm just trying to save up to move. It's such a silly reality to deny

[@bluehydrangea5506]

Just posted a comment about that. Literally every person on r/screenwriting who has made it big will reluctantly admit they got there because they have a friend/family member who works in the business. Its super discouraging. People should be picked for their work, not who they know

[@xtinkerbellax3]

This is every industry, if you don't have connections you have to find someone who is willing to take a chance on you. We're essentially all at the mercy of other people when it comes to earning a living. You can be talented and qualified but if no one is willing to hire you...

[@maebandy]

Or just blackmail them. Being jaded at 21 leads to some pretty distasteful exploration to feel alive again. It's not honorable but then neither is nepotism, they got hired bc they know how to be quiet too.

[@laneythelame]

Aw so sad

[@lisazoria2709]

Yeah, being a screenwriter is pretty hopeless, been there myself. You want to get something done, you've got to do it yourself. I'm going to try to save up and make my own films, (easier said than done, I know, but it's worth a try). If you do get a chance to sell a script, don't give them your best ones, they just want your ideas and will probably abandon the project in preproduction. If they DO make the movie, they'll change the script so much it'll be unrecognizable and it'll likely turn out so awful, you'll be embarrassed to have your name associated with it.

[@jamiewebber7485]

One fact that I’ve found particularly interesting is that you’d really think that this was a rampent problem in modern Hollywood and that old movies, especially the very first silent ones, would have been at least slightly less based on nepotism than movies made in later decades. But nope! Most silent and early movie stars actually came either from parents who were already very famous from either popular vaudeville acts or famous theatre productions. In fact, if anything, nepotism was just the same for 30s movies as it is today, because the children of those parents, one especially prominent example being a young Buster Keaton, often starred in those vaudeville acts and/or theatre productions, right along their already very renowned parents!

[@Dave102693]

So the Keatons be around that long?

[@luiza.limaneves]

The Barrymore is also extremely old in film

[@MsDiMera2]

@@Dave102693 Which keatons?

[@stellamaxwell777]

@@MsDiMera2 Dianne Keaton and company

[@CiarraJohnston]

@@Dave102693 Buster Keaton, Diane Keaton, and Michael Keaton are not related or part of the same family. Buster Keaton did come from well-known vaudeville parents who were friends with Harry Houdini, though,, which I'm sure helped him get his start in silent films, and was never shy about talking about that. Sorry...Buster is one of my favorites, haha.

[@j.elizabeth4621]

One thing that made me so angry was after one of Adam Sandler’s really awful movies, he said something along the lines of, “well I don’t care if it’s bad, it isn’t our fault, we had to use the budget” It just made me so angry, thinking someone has access to multi-millions of dollars, amazing producers and directors and actors, and just… has no vision and doesn’t give a shit.

[@Evelina_412]

Adam Sandler literally casts all of his movies with his friends and family, who all obviously get paid millions of dollars, and then figures out a way to set each movie in some exotic location, so they can all essentially go on a film studio-funded vacation. It's practically a money laundering scheme.

[@BrawnyStream]

@@Evelina_412 honestly respect to him man found a way to give all his mates jobs and free vacations what’s wrong with that 🤷‍♂️

[@Evelina_412]

@@BrawnyStream I'm honestly not even that mad in his particular case, because I get the impression that he specifically starts projects just to employ his friends, not the other way around, but it is a symptom of a bigger problem. It's not only Adam Sandler who does it, he's just one of the few who don't try to hide it.

[@kanduyog1182]

@@Evelina_412 Tbf, most of his films are mostly comedy anyways, he may not be funny himself but the interactions etc just get me laughing.

[@missybarbour6885]

Also I work in theater, so I've seen some AMAZING shows done with no budget lol that's not an excuse

[@shyguy1630]

I tried to be an actor briefly. One of the hardest steps is just getting to meet an agent to be chosen to be represented. Most agency discourage you from showing up, calling or anything to their office. That is one of the biggest hurdles to take acting from a hobby to a job. So like you said just getting to sit and meet an agent to get a chance to audition is a big step. That most people don’t get to bypass especially if you are a minority.

[@rachellawyer3146]

Also- after reading the comment section, I see a lot of people saying "nepotism happens in x industry/everywhere" and I just want to discuss WHY it's so particularly damaging in the film and entertainment business- movies/TV/music/the arts are a mirror of humanity- they tell us the stories about what it is to be human. These stories are enriched and deepened by diversity and are being truly limited by nepotism. So yes, meritocracy is a myth and nepotism/connections are how many people get jobs, but it's not just about it not being fair to the actors who can't make it (which is true), but it also truly negatively affecting the art we are exposed to, and then also forming our own sense of reality from that art, and it being VERY skewed by an elite selection of individuals who live in a reality vastly different from our own.

[@merryjeyne7945]

this bro

[@siranoush6999]

I agree, and I do think that the importance of art to our view of the world which in turn informs our interaction with it is often overlooked, but the severe damaging impact of nepotism to society at large is true elsewhere too. Notably politics - the people who literally make the laws we live by; also economists - why do they keep getting economic forecasts wrong? Why do they keep pulling levers that benefit only the asset owning classes? Oh yes, because they're all drawn from the same set and cannot think outside of the economic orthodoxies they've be raised around and conditioned to think in. With examples of people starving to death in the UK and freezing to death in Turkey because of economic mismanagement in part caused by this nepotism, you can't tell me this doesn't have a real world impact too. I work in museums, also rife with nepotism, and the heritage sector is key in how we perceive history which informs our views of our own identity, and thereby politics, which shapes the world in turn. It's only a small piece of the puzzle, but still important. I would also argue that nepotism at large in society combined with both the damaging message that we are a meritocracy (when we're not) and that it is still socially unacceptable for men in male-female couplings to be the lower earner or primary childcare giver, is a major driving force in the mental health crisis we are seeing in young men, leading alarmingly frequently to suicide. I've watched my brother go through it, my partner go through it, a close friend go through it and an older friend's son go through it. Being told that if you have the talent and 'follow your dreams' you can be anything is severely mentally damaging when you can't breakthrough in spite of your manifest talent, it's gaslighting people on a huge scale and is damaging in all industries because of that societal impact.

[@toriyt2714]

Hollywood was never about the arts or telling rich stories of human life. It was and always will be about money. We just believe it’s about anything other than that. We buy into the fantasy they project.

[@NotTotallyHopeless]

Right, but then think about places where it's even more damaging. For example, lawyers have a terrible nepotism problem, as does politics. Imagine the same laws and rulings being applied again and again because your nation is being ruled by an insular group of families and connections.

[@joncarroll2040]

I would argue it's worse in a lot of other fields. In the arts there are more work arounds where a talented person can get their work out in front of an audience. Its a lot harder to get around in say higher education or banking. It's hard to become successful as an indy film maker/musician or a self published writer but its a lot harder to become a doctor without the support of someone without connections and/or resources.

[@HeartfireGames]

Really funny seeing Ben Stiller make those arguments when he's the son of super iconic actor duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara

[@tempesttossed6029]

Sounds like a chip on the shoulder.

[@xz5685]

Is meritocracy even possible under capitalism?

[@ruffethereal1904]

Not really, no. The extreme concentration of wealth in a handful of individuals predisposes them to working for their interests than some "Greater Good". Even philanthropists can be accused of trying to force the world to bend to their ideology using their money.

[@nataliekhanyola5669]

Nope!

[@yanas9871]

this is the moment I realised I really love this comment section!

[@foreverrocks7989]

Yep.

[@jeyneo.8924]

Of course it is, Capitalism is meritocracy. Are you going to tell me Communism rewards merit? Yeah, sure.

[@dikichodenbhutia6767]

Bollywood nepotism be like: “This isn’t even my final form”

[@s29nv1sr1]

lmao I kept scrolling through the comments waiting for someone to mention Bollywood!

[@maytabangin5349]

so true, everyone in bollywood is practically related to each other in some way

[@yamyam493]

@@maytabangin5349 What about Kartik Aaryan?

[@hhhmo7328]

​@@yamyam493 what about Srk, Ayushman khurana, Rajkumar rao, Sidharth chaturvedi, Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin siddique

[@slayer_142]

​@@hhhmo7328 it's not about nepotism it's about quality if you compare jawan with mission impossible you can see difference

[@onbearfeet]

One of my favorite games to play with students is, "Who can name a favorite celebrity who DIDN'T have rich parents?" The game can go on for a really long time, especially if half the room is on celebrity-naming duty and the other half is in charge of tracking down family money. I teach writing and literature, so I Iike to trot this out whenever someone's negatively comparing themselves to a famous artist. There are at least a few kids in every class who have the talent and work ethic to make great art, but they compare themselves to child stars and nepotism babies who are playing on easy mode and they end up feeling worthless. The goal of the game is to show them that stardom isn't a meritocracy. The fact that they're not already going on talk shows is no reflection of their abilities, or their worth as people. I wish more famous writers, actors, etc. would admit to nepotism so I wouldn't have to spend so much time reassuring kids that their art has value even if they're not related to Stephen King.

[@christinacatalano]

I think I’m gonna play this game by myself. Cheers

[@analopes312]

Brie Larson , JLaw, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Stone, Margot Robbie, Jessica Chastain, Kirsten Dunst, Stephanie Beatriz, Mila Kunis, Andrew Garfield, Ryan Reynolds, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx ( basically all black actors and actresses), Awkwafina ( and all asian actors). Most of the big names are not product of nepotism. You are just making a fuss because one or two are.

[@analopes312]

@@clinxque lmao you just made all that up. Zendayas parents are high school teachers. Jlaw was born in fucking Kentunchy. Her father worked in constructions. You telling me that a guy that works in Kentuchy has contacts in hollywood? And Ronan's parents just tried to be actors and failed. Mom was a nanny and father worked in construction. The were undocumented immigrants from Ireland.

[@analopes312]

@@clinxque i did. And im not going to believe in you since you lied about the others too.

[@claudiasolomon1123]

There's nothing wrong with having family members or friends who have or are connections to a career you want & taking advantage of the connections you have. My problem with "nepotism" is when a person doesn't admit they have their job because they have connections or worse deny it.

[@nherty6172]

And also when they are not good at it. Like honey, make good use of the opportunity, learn and expand and be better.

[@truefalse934]

The thing is, none of these nepotism actors/tresses have admitted to benefiting from it, other than like what . . . 3? (that I know of). Even Ms. Bella Hadid (who WE SAW pre-modeling career on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) has even tried to make it seem like she grew up in “humble beginnings” in her current interviews 🙄😑

[@eva_pe]

Admitting to it still doesn't solve the fact that they have jobs that perhaps should have gone to someone more fit for them, in my opinion. They are still having a job they don't necessarily "deserve" and admitting their privilege is just that, admitting to it, but doesn't really make things more fair. Honesty sometimes is a bit overrated because it doesn't really change much.

[@claudiasolomon1123]

@@eva_pe so, what do you want them to do?? Quit their jobs because they are lucky??

[@claudiasolomon1123]

@@truefalse934 wow really?? That's embarrassing.

[@MyssBlewm]

I never got into "Girls" and I know Lena Dunham is problematic but LMAO she really said, "It can't be nepotism because misogyny." 😂 Please ignore who her and her costars' parents are though

[@skrtskrt22]

I feel like she doesn't wash her clothes because of the whole "housewife" stereotype. she'd say that it's misogynistic to think SHE should wash her clothes🤢🤢🤢

[@its_destruggle2226]

As an actor who has zero connections, went to school for my work, and has been busting my ass just to try to get work, the high concentration of nepobabies just frustrates the hell out of me. Thank you for speaking on this

[@liriodendronlasianthus]

When I was a kid, I absolutely LOATHED Miley Cyrus because we're the same age, we both sing, but she had a famous family and that obviously made it easier to get on Disney. Meanwhile I was stuck in a small town with a couple competitions under my belt while my family could barely keep the lights on.

[@fa1ruz]

What about now? Do you still loath her for being exploited by Disney?

[@jacive._.]

@@fa1ruz do you expect them to feel bad? Yes, Miley clearly had a hard time while at Disney, but she didn't have a hard time getting to Disney, and that's the point.

[@mayaradepaulam]

@@fa1ruz Do you expect her to feel guilty for something she felt when she was a child and didn't know about the thing with Disney? Grow up.

[@Little_Lotta]

I share that sentiment more than I would like to admit.

[@user-ml4ps5cq3v]

@@fa1ruz AND she's still better off than 99% of the population trying to make it. Yes definitely loathe her

[@goma3088]

"Our kids' names aren't silly, our place names are": followed by far too short list of a gloriously bad names (accompanied by a grand swell of music). It caught me off guard and legit had me laughing out loud. I replayed that section a few times. Thank you for that Tara!

[@lujorom9172]

same. i missed her humour so much hahah

[@hillarygonzales8905]

She honestly earned a subscribe from me for that alone 😂

[@wwaxwork]

The weird names for actors thing is so they can get into the Screen Guild. You can't have the same name as another actor past or present so there can be no confusion.

[@lamenia]

We constantly hear about the lack of creativity in Hollywood and the unending stream of remakes. It feels like these issues may be correlated. The mindset that views the nepotism as a given is why we had the college admission scandal, people feel entitled to certain perks. It's why Forbes had the audacity to call Kylie "self-made." It's a blindspot and why we always need to remember that some issues can't be fixed from within. They don't have the capacity to conceptualize a less privileged way of life.

[@jvill4118]

Actually, this is a good point, and I'd like to add that perhaps nepotism is indirectly aiding in the lack of new IP. If a movie producer can fund a project by getting a big name (or, a person related to/associated with a big name (nepotism)), then they'll ride that built-in audience (i.e., fans of said big name) rather than put resources into finding original ideas for a project. Why "waste money" on creating or finding a new IP, when you reuse an old IP that was already successful and is seen more as a "sure thing"? Case and point: Jaden Smith in the Karate Kid remake.

[@laneythelame]

So one could argue these remakes and reboots will continue ad infinitum! Simple because its the same "pool" of people being cycled through the ranks....if they made things more available to people from different walks of life the stories being told could be so much more exciting and innovative smh

[@lavccbm1235]

Your comment about the reboots and remake are so fucking true that my head explosed

[@xCindyLouWhox]

Yes, this exactly. Omg, you nailed it perfectly.

[@ThatgirlINTP]

Man, I LOVE this comment. Yes !

[@scottblack7182]

Nepotism - one of the many daggers in the back of creativity in films today. Thank you for touching on this .

[@emilyau8023]

It is so sad that there is someone out there that can bring diversity and novel creative ideas to Hollywood, but that spot is being taken by an actor's relative who is bland af

[@lornacharles5380]

AMEN 🥰🥰

[@steph713r]

I've always had a problem with Emma Roberts' acting, ever since her debut in "Unfabulous", due to how un-fabulous her acting was... To hear her say in an interview later that nepotism doesn't exist made me roll my eyes. Also: 🍵☕🥛🐄

[@ntmn8444]

Omg so true. I cannot STAND her. She’ll never be as good as her aunt or father. Let’s get real.

[@pruray]

I've heard consistent rumors that she is VERY VERY physically abusive to her boyfriend.

[@kaylamolkner4253]

@@pruray not a rumor, they abused each other and both went to jail briefly

[@samanthag1922]

​@@pruray from everything i read it seemed mutually toxic, but yeah. she's a mother now though so i hope she's doing better and worked on herself, for the kid's sake

[@foxylibrarian1]

She was amazing in Scream Queens, tho

[@justinwatson1510]

Take care of yourself and don’t feel obligated to make any one kind of content. You’ll never be able to please everyone, so just focus on making sure you’re happy with what you’re doing. You seem like a genuinely good person, you’re clearly quite bright, and you’re very witty, so I’m sure that there will always be people who want to hear what you have to say.

[@ForeignManinaForeignLand]

It's like the Royal Family - they try to keep all that old money... in the family 😬

[@Chloe-yq6nd]

Its also sick that when non-nepo babies get recognized, their hard work and determination gets them painted as being overbearing, obsessive, and even creepy. Makes me think of the profile written about Jeremy Strong that essentially made fun of his decades of hard work and attempts to find connections

[@KitKat0nly]

I usually don't comment but think the case of Lily-Rose Depp can be interesting. She claimed she did it without her parents. First most people know her parents and second she kept her father's last name. Her mom is a famous singer and known since she is 14 years old in France, and her dad is known worldwide. Her aunt is also an actress and godfather a singer. I wish people that manage to make it recognised they hotnsome help. I worked the art industry for a small drama/opera company. We struggled booking gigs and finding partners while sons/daughters of or kids from rich family managed to get things quickly. I can't even hate people using their family influence. I just wish the system was more fair and equal. Money doesn't buy talent but how do you measure talent?

[@ailsa7471]

And also she is now the face of Chanel which is a position her mother held back in the day

[@kateaye3506]

Lily Rose also spoke of knowing Karl Lagerfeld since she was small.

[@mrdad-zl9zl]

Lord even she is going with this?? That's got to be one of the worst cases of nepotism denial.

[@myrnaswesy1203]

I actually saw an interview of her and she was talking about her privilege being born to famous parents and how she's thankful it gave her a boast, maybe idk her long enough but I didn't see/hear/read her talking about her making it on her own.

[@petermatthews3729]

In a way Lily-Rose Depp got into acting because of her own connections, not her parents. Her first role was in the Kevin Smith movie Tusk because she was best friends with Harley-Quinn Smith, the daughter of the writer and director of the movie. Kevin Smith asked her dad to be in the movie and suggested it later on.

[@DaisyMaisy02]

I feel like I'm less bothered by this trend if they don't aggressively try to hide it. Like Dan Levy making Schitt's Creek with his sister and extremely famous dad, no one's hiding how this show got made, so it doesn't have that eyerolling "I got here by pulling myself up by my bootstraps" energy.

[@cmg25]

Great example. Also, the iconic eyebrows are fooling no one.

[@manuelrengeldiaz]

YES. That show fits perfectly with the example she named. Also it's genuinely good comedy.It's one of my faves of all time.

[@Updog89]

I think that’s a great example. I can respect the Levy’s for three reasons. First, they used the family vibes to create a show for themselves that reflects natural familial chemistry, and they never tried to pretend like it wasn’t a fun family project. Second, they also did a great job hiring genuinely talented but unconnected actors for the main and secondary cast who probably wouldn’t have gotten a big break otherwise. Third, they made good use of a well established actress Catherine O’Hara by giving her a juicy role she could really shine in, despite the huge lack of good roles for women of a certain age. While Catherine wasn’t a nobody and was probably getting some steady work, she certainly wasn’t given a ton of opportunities to both pay the bills and flex her incredible chops. So if going to leverage the privileges you were born into for your own benefit, at least be like Dan Levy and make sure to use your success and privilege to lift up others, improve diversity, tell unique stories, and be honest about your journey.

[@solaceskies1]

@@Updog89 yes! I was gonna add that Dan Levy and his father really helped Annie Murphy (who played Alexis) get her big break as she was on the verge of quitting the industry.

[@Updog89]

@@solaceskies1 I’d heard something similar! So grateful that they introduced her to the world, she is such a gem.

[@michellebelledejour]

The real tea about Ben Stiller: he’s not the nicest person in Hollywood 👀💯☕️ Many of the Hollywood nepotism babies are either embarrassed or completely in denial about their privileges. Ryan Murphy loves nepotism so much, every one of his shows have actors and actresses with Hollywood parents and family members as their connections 💯 I’m convinced he secretly just cast people based who they are related to.

[@emilia123zz]

Ryan Murphy 100%!! His cast are just famous peoples off spring

[@anitaposa9164]

@@emilia123zz is Evan Peters a nepotism baby? Idk much about him except him being in American horror story.

[@emilia123zz]

@@anitaposa9164 have to admit unsure on Evans Peters. From his Wikipedia page doesn’t seem to be. If you happen to watch AHS Stories that cast was about 90% nepotism 😂

[@isabella-tv9ld]

one of the funniest things i have seen on twitter to this day is Valter Skarsgård, son of Stellan Skarsgård and brother to Bill Skarsgård, Gustaf Skarsgård and Alexander Skarsgård, denying the existence of nepotism and saying "my dad has never given me a job". How are people so very blind to what they are in the midst of?

[@lolita960]

In my opinion the modelling agency is the WORST impacted. I was working in Harrods a couple years ago and I’ll never forget how when I walked in the luxurious clothes department and saw Kendall and Bella FOR EVERY SINGLE BRAND. Literally YSL, LV, Channel, Balenciaga… The worst part is since it is a department store, they were right next to each other. Imagine walking past 10+ designers store and seeing the exact same two girls posing in their windows. It made me so upset I’m not gonna lie.

[@common-girl]

they thing with those models, the parents are paying the designer to hire them.

[@paigeconnelly4244]

Tbh this just make Tom Cruise's career all the more impressive. The most successful Hollywood movie star ever, and the second highest earning actor of all time (next to a Bollywood actor). And neither of his parents worked in the arts or were rich. In fact, his father was an abusive arsehole (which is probably the reason why the Scientologists were able to get to him).

[@mini8129]

The bollywood actor you are referring to (Shah Ruh Khan) also made it on his own. And bollywood has an even more extreme case of nepotism than Hollywood.

[@mau1353]

Of course the Scientologists are a whole other problem

[@marvel096]

yeah i also felt the same way about the scientology part. he was really young when they got him

[@lade7880]

@@mini8129 Shah Rukh Khan is a legend I love him even more now

[@kileymcdonnel6705]

Please do one on the music industry. I am the opposite of a nepotism baby, and I’m currently in school for music. Almost EVERYONE in my program is a nepotism baby, and the opportunities they’re already getting makes me sick… They have connections only seasoned professionals who’ve been doing hard work for 10+ years would have. I work my ass off alongside some friends who are in the same boat, yet instead of having a ton of mutual peers, I’m stuck with lazy and mostly untalented rich kids… I’d be less angry if they were actually good loll *Update if anyone is interested* I quit school and immediately got a job as a pianist and vocalist, performing gigs around my town and sometimes my city, New Orleans. I got this job organically, and it flourished because I’d worked with 1 musician in my town for a few years, and he made the connection for me. I’m not saying I’ve made it, but I’ve started seeing that true connections can happen in music without your parents having to know anyone, or be filthy rich. So just know it’s possible, if you love it, you’re gonna work hard for it :)

[@darwis4769]

exactly why i'm scared of even putting a foot into the industry, i just know it'll be full of nepobabies

[@rosie6]

Damn I felt this.

[@justinallen2408]

@@darwis4769 everything is like this besides low wage jobs cx

[@yesthatsmycat9919]

You imediately made me think of Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish

[@RoxasLov3r4Ev3r]

Ikr???? The most insulting part is the most mediocre and worst people get ahead JUST because of their connections and privilege 😂😂😂🙃🙃🙃🙃

[@essentiallazy]

Even though Katherine Langford is more internationally known for her movies, Josephine Langford actually started acting before her and apparently has quite a acting career in Australia, even though the After movies were her first Hollywood production. I wouldn't necessarily say, that Josphine got the part through her sister Katherine. But yes nepotism also applys for the Langford family, their parents are hella rich and they both had huge advantages. And the name recognition thing is true for both of them.

[@CarlyonProduction]

The other thing regarding ‘talent’ is that so much of a performers ability is cultivated along the way. Miley was awful when she came out, but due to having so much experience now, she is an incredible singer. So people will say ‘miley isn’t there because of nepotism - listen to her voice’ Lots of people could become that good at singing, if they had the access to constant rehearsals, top producers, production managers etc etc. I like miley too! But holy shit, if her entire family isn’t the perfect case to look at.

[@Naahi95]

Yeah, and her acting was terrible the first couple years too

[@tiffprendergast]

She’s still bad

[@kaoutermouslimhaliba7145]

@@Naahi95 She's still a bad actress for me. But her singing specially when she goes for a rock and roll style. Like her cover of like a prayer ,or when she sang with Billy Idol ,is absolutely great!

[@Naahi95]

@@kaoutermouslimhaliba7145 yeah, I last saw her in that black mirror episode. It was... not great. She's a much better singer.

[@haleyd7448]

i'm always thinking about this social experiment from uci: subjects played an openly rigged game of monopoly where they flipped a coin at the beginning to decide which player would be rich and which would be poor. the rich players got privileges like collecting twice the amount of cash and dice rolls. when asked how they (inevitably) won, the rich players would explain their strategy instead of mentioning the coin toss.

[@AsherGrace7]

I always loved JJ Abrams backstory of "I was just a little kid obsessed with movies, man and that's how I got here." then you read his family connections and it's like ohhhhhhh, I see.

[@melz6625]

The only way that non connected people seem to get into Hollywood is by being cast as kids as there is still less competition. Creating the issue of parents having to use so much resources on pushing their minor kid into the scene, possibly creating a Britney Spears type of abuse situation of a kid and the kid losing its childhood just so that they have some acting credits already by the time they’re adults.

[@amoureux6502]

Alyson Stoner made a good video about what she called the "toddler to trainwreck pipeline," basically this. Hollywood has so many real issues that need addressed but actors just want to focus on "I got my photos taken by paparazzi when I was walking around outside of my mansion"

[@athenajaxon2397]

True Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Ryan Gosling were all kid actors