The runway walk that sparked a firestorm, a 17-year-old Sunday Rose Kidman, daughter of Hollywood royalty Nicole Kidman, strode down the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in a beige trench coat. Her stern expression and oversized leather lapels for Calvin Klein, however, weren’t met with applause, but with a chorus of online criticism. The term “nepo baby” was thrown around with venom, with comments like “Nepotism is revolting” and derisive remarks about her walking ability, suggesting she’d be better suited assisting established models.
This sentiment resurfaced with the announcement of Harper Beckham’s impending skincare line, targeted at tweens and teenagers. While the publicity spun it as entirely Harper’s initiative, a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and a potential challenger to Kylie Jenner’s multi-billion dollar empire, the narrative quickly shifted. Accusations arose that such privileged paths were fuelling “success anxiety” among Gen Z, leaving many feeling disheartened and inadequate. It’s understandable, when one considers the millions of aspiring actors, models, and entrepreneurs brimming with talent, yet struggling to break through. This widespread resentment has undeniably fuelled the “nepo baby” backlash.
The Refreshing Counterpoint: Hustling Against the Odds
In stark contrast to this narrative of effortless ascent, the story of Ronnie Wood’s eldest daughter, Leah, offers a refreshing perspective. At 47, Leah Wood has carved out her career as an artist, openly admitting to having “hustled” her way through life and having to “work her arse off,” despite her Rolling Stones rocker father’s estimated £150 million fortune.
In a candid interview, Wood expressed gratitude for her father’s approach, stating, “I think my dad did me a favour there in not putting tens of millions of pounds into my bank account.” This sentiment, though perhaps difficult for many in similar positions to articulate, highlights a deliberate choice to foster independence. The only financial assistance she recalls from her famous father was “money to, like, buy food some days and maybe do the occasional school bill.”
Leah describes her life as “very normal,” emphasising the shared effort with her husband to manage their finances. “Having kids and stuff, our mortgage to pay and, you know, trying to find X amount of money to fix the old stone wall,” she explained. This contrasts sharply with her observations of other children from famous families who, she believes, “just get handouts, and it doesn’t motivate them to be hungry for work, to be passionate for work.” This strong work ethic is something Leah is determined to pass on to her own children, mirroring the approach her father took with her family. Her brother, Jesse Wood, who is 49, even claimed in court to be “scraping by” on £1,000 a month after his separation from TV presenter Fearne Cotton.
The Persistent Shadow of Privilege
Despite these emerging stories of hard work, the phenomenon of “nepo babies” continues to cast a long shadow. The Vanity Fair Oscars party, for instance, saw a significant presence of offspring from famous families gracing the red carpet. Models like Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford, and Iris Law, daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost, are prominent examples. Even Brooklyn Beckham, son of David and Victoria, has managed to leverage his lineage into a wildlife photography book and a product line, despite facing criticism for his culinary skills. Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, effortlessly transitions into Hollywood roles, seemingly as a birthright.
The Rise of the “Anti-Nepo Baby”
This is precisely why voices like Leah Wood’s are so vital. These individuals, who are on “normal salaries” and are being dubbed “anti-nepo babies,” offer a refreshing counterpoint to the prevailing narrative of inherited success. Their stories shed a new light on privilege, demonstrating that it is possible to forge a path independent of A-list parents, thereby safeguarding one’s sanity and self-esteem.
Madonna and director Guy Ritchie’s son, Rocco Ritchie, is another prime example. Reports from 2016 indicated that at 16, he worked as a Deliveroo cyclist in London and even considered a career in a garden centre. He has since consciously carved out his niche as an expressionist painter, determined to build a reputation separate from his famous parents. He initially used the pseudonym “Rhed” to conceal his heritage, only being unmasked in early 2022.
In December, Rocco shared a rare family photograph on Instagram, showing both Madonna and Guy Ritchie supporting him at his art exhibition in London. He acknowledged the potential for judgment but expressed pride in his identity and, more importantly, in the support of his parents. His exhibition was aptly titled ‘Talk Is Cheap,’ emphasizing his belief in letting the work speak for itself.
A Spectrum of “Normal” Careers
The appeal of “anti-nepo babies” extends to other notable families. Gordon Ramsay’s daughter, Megan, 27, is a police officer, and his son, Jack, 26, serves in the Royal Marines. Ramsay, with an estimated net worth of £162 million, has reportedly agreed to contribute only 25 per cent towards his six children’s first homes, a decision that sounds refreshingly grounded.
The list of accomplished offspring forging careers outside the entertainment and fashion industries is extensive. Anna Wintour’s son, Charles, is a doctor; Jeff Bridges’ daughter, Hayley, is an interior designer; Bruce Springsteen’s son, Sam, is a firefighter; Bill Murray’s son, Luke, is a basketball coach; Robert De Niro’s son, Raphael, is a real estate broker; and Willem Dafoe’s son, Jack, is an environmentalist.
Jamie Oliver’s 22-year-old daughter, Daisy Boo Pamela Oliver, is a trainee nurse. Ben Atkinson, who bears a striking resemblance to his father Rowan Atkinson, joined the British Army’s Royal Gurkha Regiment in 2019. Ulrika Jonsson’s daughter, Bo, 24, is a Norland nanny.
Navigating the Celebrity Maze
It seems that children of famous parents are in a no-win situation: judged for their inherited fame and often criticised if they lack it. However, they often overlook a simpler, more conventional path – one that involves a P60 tax form rather than a famous surname.
The celebrity world is indeed peculiar, and choosing a “normal” job might seem like an unconventional move. Yet, many A-list offspring grow up intrinsically linked to their parents’ brand, part of a public relations machine from birth, as Brooklyn Beckham’s experiences illustrate. Even those who pursue more ordinary careers often find themselves living in the shadow of their parents’ fame. However, if Leslie, the daughter of Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, who is now 73, could break free, then any “nepo baby” can. Leslie has lived a relatively private life, working as a yoga instructor and a nurse in Boston.
The proliferation of “anti-nepo babies” is crucial for maintaining a sense of normalcy in celebrity culture. They serve as a welcome antidote to a world where the rise of the “copy-paste face” in Hollywood leaves us questioning whether many celebrities are not just related, but a product of the same predetermined paths.
