The children of wealthy and famous people, also sometimes known as “nepotism babies” or “nepo babies,” have to work “twice as hard” to prove themselves, according to nepotism baby Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Oscar-winning actress was discussing the topic of nepotism with Hailey Bieber on Bieber’s YouTube show Who’s in My Bathroom? on July 27, and opened up about growing up with a famous mother and father. Paltrow’s mother is actress Blythe Danner, and her dad, Bruce Paltrow, was a film director and producer. Bieber also comes from a famous family, as her father is actor and director Stephen Baldwin.
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“As the child of someone, you get access other people don’t have, so the playing field is not level in that way. However, I really do feel that once your foot is in the door, which you unfairly got in, then you almost have to work twice as hard and be twice as good,” Paltrow told the Rhode founder. “Because people are ready to pull you down and say, ‘You don’t belong there,’ or, ‘You are only there because of your dad or your mom.'”
The Goop founder’s comments were perceived by some to be out of touch, as there’s an immense amount of privilege that allows nepo babies to have a leg up compared to regular people. Paltrow’s comments failed to acknowledge that people like her and Bieber are born with their foot in the door — they don’t have to fight their way in like non-famous folks.
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Several people on Twitter took notice and shared their sentiments about the unfairness of the situation, writing: “It’s so wild how out of touch celebrities are,” and “It’s the delusion for me.”
Paltrow had words of advice for Bieber and shared the criticism that nepo babies face shouldn’t hold them back, despite others not having the same opportunities. “What I definitely believe is that nobody in the world, especially anybody that doesn’t know you, should have a negative impact on your path or the decision that you make,” she said.
