Lily-Rose Depp and Lilly Krug are in the spotlight. When the offspring of celebrity parents follow in their footsteps, we watch with eagle eyes. About the so-called "Nepo babies", vitamin B and the question: How important is talent (still)?
Germany is talking about “bathrobes”, in China people are taking to the streets thousands of times because of the strict corona policy and on Twitter users who have not yet migrated to Mastodon because of Elon Musk are discussing people who are said to be “not all cups in the have closet". In short: Even between the years, when things should at least be a little more contemplative, there are topics that get people excited immediately.
That's why, dear readers, I would like to talk to you today about a topic that is particularly polarizing: "Nepo babies". The Berliner would now probably ask: "What'n ditte?" Many people are more familiar with the subject under the term nepotism. "Nepo baby" is a discrediting description for children of famous people. Often referred to as brats who were "born with a golden spoon in their mouth". They often live in luxury and, understandably, automatically have simplified access to the show industry. They get hold of film roles because mum or dad are actors and - as is often accused - follow in the footsteps of their famous parents without any talent at all.
It certainly does not do justice to the topic, which is currently sparking a debate, if criticism is broken down to the envy factor, along the lines of: "You're just jealous that you're not Veronica Ferres' daughter and not on the famous one 'Bet that...?' sofa next to John Malkovich!"
Prejudices boil up quickly, and I don't want to take a stand for "Nepo babies" here, but a change of perspective is good for any debate. Roughly simplified example: Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of actor Johnny Depp and French singer Vanessa Paradis recently graced the cover of a well-known fashion magazine. She wore outrageously expensive clothes, but left out in an interview because she is always seen as "the daughter of" and yet works so "hard" for her success.
Of course, it cannot be denied that the offspring of famous people are overshadowed by them. They are always compared, especially when they follow in their parents' footsteps. For example, Sarah Biasini, daughter of acting legend Romy Schneider, who died in 1982, often had to be told that her mother was "much nicer" than she was.
The fact that Johnny Depp's daughter complained of her suffering in an interview sparked a shitstorm on the internet. Vittoria Ceretti, a model who, as she says herself, had to work hard for her success over years, literally flew off the hat brim at Depp's lament. Lily-Rose would never understand what it means to not be able to afford a return ticket, for example. Even if she weren't successful, she wouldn't have to worry and could enjoy life on Daddy's sofa in Malibu. As her critic wrote: "You have no idea how hard it takes to get people to respect you. IT TAKES YEARS. You get it for free from day one."
For some, the so-called Nepo-Baby debate may be a storm in a teacup, a banter of envy, artificially pumped-up elation, but for others it is justified criticism that has been far too soft for far too long. The following question is interesting in this context: Do children of famous parents have to work harder for recognition or less?
For example, Sofia Coppola, daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, received so much criticism and malice for her role in "The Godfather III" that she gave up her acting career. Today she is very successful as a director. The daughters of Til Schweiger, who often occupy roles in his films, are considered by many film critics to be completely talentless. And Leni Klum is said to be much too small for a model and only gets all the great photo shoots because she is the daughter of "Germany's next top model" mom Heidi.
Of course, all of this is also due to Gossip and a certain voyeurism that the young celebrity has a very special interest in. And of course, the floor gossip gets malicious at times. Even when children even discard the names of their famous parents to make it "alone".
But it becomes embarrassing when the offspring are sponsored by big brands and companies just because they are "the daughters or the sons of", regardless of whether they are talented or not. But it is also comparable when directors suddenly no longer cast their roles with actors but with influencers because they hope for greater commercial success from their reach and accept amateur theater with approval.
The Nepo debate offers plenty of room for philosophizing. Because strictly speaking, acting greats like Liza Minnelli, Michael Douglas or Isabella Rossellini are "Nepo-Babies". Despite all the criticism, one should never forget: Nobody can do anything for the family into which they were born. Some are "privileged", others have to work twice or three times, and yet doors often remain closed.
It also seems to be partly due to the zeitgeist that talent and quality no longer necessarily prevail, but rather good relationships, money and vitamin B. Humility is good and things are not to be taken for granted. However, it is too short to dismiss any criticism as a debate about envy. Are "Nepo babies" allowed to whine about their supposedly "difficult life"? What is your opinion on this?
