Emma Roberts discussed the pros and cons of being a “nepo baby” on the June 25 episode of the “Table for Two with Bruce Bozzi” podcast. As the daughter of Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts, she acknowledged the advantages of having family connections in the industry but emphasized that it also means having to prove oneself more and facing rejection based on family associations.

Roberts highlighted that men, like George Clooney, face less criticism for their connections than women do. She pointed out that people often overlook the struggles and rejections faced by actors with industry ties, focusing only on their successes. Roberts argued that the dismissal of nepo babies stems from a societal preference for “overnight success” stories.

Other celebrities like Dakota Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp have also criticized the nepotism conversation, while Allison Williams acknowledged her privilege but trusted in her own skills. This article covers some aspects of being a nepotism baby and that you can be exploited too. Parts of Emma’s criticism that women face more harm is true.

Here are some nepo babies discussed in this article. Why are some nepo babies more successful than others and do their connections actually hurt them?

1. Lily Rose Depp: Nina-Sophia Miralles criticizes “The Idol” for its objectification of Lily-Rose Depp, arguing that the show’s portrayal of nudity and exploitation is far from empowering. Depp plays Jocelyn, a pop star recovering from a breakdown and manipulated by a nightclub owner, Tedros (played by The Weeknd). The series is filled with gratuitous violence and graphic nudity, depicting Depp’s character in degrading situations without deeper exploration of her suffering or the industry’s exploitation. Miralles contends that the narrative of nudity equating to empowerment is flawed, as it perpetuates the male gaze and pressures women into revealing more, akin to past societal constraints that dictated women’s modesty. She argues that the entertainment industry’s expectation of such nudity is a fantasy realized at the expense of women. The article emphasizes that genuine empowerment and resistance to exploitation require the option of concealment, which is stripped away in shows like “The Idol,” leaving women with no means to reclaim their agency. Lily is Johnny Depp’s daughter. Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. Born in 1999, she grew up between Paris and Hollywood, leading a bilingual and “chilled” childhood. Lily-Rose originally wanted to be a singer but found her true passion in acting, with roles in both French and English films. At 16, she became the youngest global CHANEL ambassador, following in her mother’s fashionable footsteps.
2. Emma Roberts attributes the poor performance of her film “Madame Web” to “internet culture,” which she feels turns everything into a joke. In a Variety interview, Roberts expressed her disappointment, stating that she enjoyed the movie and its cast. She mentioned that predicting the success of a project is impossible, as it depends on timing and luck. In her discussion about “Madame Web,” Emma Roberts acknowledged that Dakota Johnson, her co-star, expressed that she would likely not participate in a similar project again. Johnson, who played the lead role, conveyed in a previous interview that she was disheartened by the film’s reception. Roberts expressed a more positive outlook and a willingness to undertake similar projects in the future. She emphasized that the unpredictability of success should not deter actors from pursuing roles they believe in. Roberts appreciated the film and the people involved, especially the director S.J. Clarkson, who was a major factor in her decision to join the project. Emma Roberts, actress and niece of Julia Roberts, discussed the challenges of being seen as a “nepo baby” due to her famous family. She emphasized that her connections have sometimes hindered rather than helped her career, citing lost job opportunities as evidence. Emma criticized the portrayal of celebrity offspring in media, calling it a “cheap shot” and highlighting the unfair scrutiny faced by young women compared to their male counterparts. She defended the right of individuals, regardless of background, to pursue their dreams without judgment. Eric Roberts, Emma Roberts’ father, has had a varied and extensive career in Hollywood spanning several decades. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows, showcasing his versatility as an actor across different genres. His career highlights include acclaimed performances in movies like “Runaway Train,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and “Star 80.”Eric Roberts’ career has also been marked by roles in popular TV series such as “The Dark Knight,” where he portrayed the character Sal Maroni, and “Heroes,” where he played Thompson. His filmography includes a wide range of genres, from drama and thriller to comedy and action, demonstrating his ability to take on diverse roles throughout his career. Despite the film’s underperformance, Roberts is not intimidated by failure or negative opinions, attributing much of the film’s reception to the influence of internet culture and its tendency to turn everything into a joke. She remains enthusiastic about her work and open to future opportunities in similar projects.
3. Dakota Johnson, Roberts’ co-star, suggested in a March Bustle interview that the film failed because audiences can detect insincerity, criticizing the industry’s reliance on numbers and algorithms over genuine creativity and skeptical about the industry’s reliance on algorithms and numbers over genuine creativity. She emphasized that audiences can detect insincerity and that executives often underestimate their intelligence. Dakota Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. Her maternal grandmother is actress Tippi Hedren. Dakota Johnson, born on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Texas, began her acting career early, debuting at age 10 in “Crazy in Alabama” alongside her half-sister Stella Banderas. Her breakthrough came with “The Social Network” in 2010, followed by global fame as Anastasia Steele in “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Despite the series’ commercial success, Dakota has balanced her career with critically acclaimed roles in films like “A Bigger Splash,” “Black Mass,” and “The Peanut Butter Falcon.” She is not only an actress but also a talented model, having worked with brands like Mango and Gucci. Her commitment to environmental activism includes support for sustainable living and organizations like Global Green. Dakota is fluent in French and advocates for mental health awareness, using her platform to raise awareness and support causes close to her heart. In addition to her film career, Dakota Johnson has ventured into producing with her company, TeaTime Pictures, aiming to champion diverse stories in Hollywood. Known for her stylish appearances and love for fashion, she continues to evolve as a prominent figure in both entertainment and philanthropy, embodying versatility and depth in her roles on and off-screen.
4. Allison Williams: Allison Williams has always navigated the public and private spheres with an acute awareness of her persona and the way it is perceived. From her breakout role in Girls to her chilling performance in Get Out, she has used her image as a tool, playing into and against the preconceived notions people hold about her. Born to journalist parents, including her famous father Brian Williams, Allison’s understanding of media and public perception seems almost innate. Her upbringing in Connecticut, combined with an English degree from Yale, set the stage for her multifaceted career in Hollywood. She acknowledges her privilege without defensiveness, and this transparency has shaped her approach to both acting and press interactions. Williams’ career is characterized by deliberate and strategic role choices. Her performances often play on her public persona, creating layers of meaning for audiences familiar with her work. In Girls, she embodied the quintessential Comfortable Cosmopolitan White Woman of the 2010s, a character both loved and loathed. This role laid the groundwork for her subsequent performances, where she continued to play with audience expectations. Her role in Get Out was particularly significant. Williams used the audience’s assumptions about her character to amplify the film’s impact, transforming from a seemingly benign girlfriend into a villain embodying racial hypocrisy. With M3GAN, Williams expanded her role to include executive producer duties, a move that allowed her to immerse herself in the filmmaking process beyond acting. She contributed to script passes, casting decisions, and even the minutiae of product licensing, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of and investment in the production process. Her involvement ensured that the film’s tone and marketing resonated with audiences, as evidenced by the viral success of its trailer. Williams’ future seems poised for even greater involvement in the industry, potentially as a producer-star who shapes projects from inception to release. Her career trajectory suggests a blend of on-screen and behind-the-scenes work, leveraging her deep industry knowledge and strategic thinking. This holistic approach not only enhances her projects but also sets a new standard for actors looking to expand their influence in Hollywood.

CONCLUSION

It seems that a lot more goes into a successful movie career than meets the eye. On the one hand, you have actors such as Allison Williams that used the connections to her advantage while others don’t get the same return as noted by Emma Roberts. Dakota Johnson, apparently, prepared for months for her role in 50 Shades of Grey. The script was lackluster and not properly done, however, like Ms. Depp, Ms. Johnson chose that movie to bare all on the screen. One might argue that is exploiting those women’s last names–and Emma Roberts does exactly that. In short, women have it tougher than men in Hollywood and nepo babies aren’t getting the breaks you think they are.