Emma Roberts challenges the “nepo baby” narrative, highlighting the struggles faced by actors with famous families.
In a recent podcast interview, Roberts, whose aunt is Julia Roberts, emphasizes the misconception of a smooth path for Hollywood hopefuls with family connections. “People only see the wins,” she says, “not the countless rejections.”
Despite her family’s legacy, Roberts feels the constant pressure to prove herself. She acknowledges the double-edged sword: “You have a leg up, but you have to work twice as hard.” Negative experiences with an actor’s family can unfairly shut doors for future generations.
Roberts criticizes the public’s obsession with overnight success stories, which fuels the unfair perception of “nepo babies.” She observes, “There’s an assumption you didn’t struggle because your family is famous.”
Roberts highlights the gender bias in the “nepo baby” discussion. Male actors with famous parents seem to escape the same level of scrutiny. “They’re following their dreams too,” she says.
Roberts uses George Clooney, whose aunt was actress Rosemary Clooney, as a humorous example to illustrate the complexity of the issue. She concludes by suggesting young women are disproportionately affected by the “nepo baby” label.
Emma Roberts’s interview sheds light on the challenges faced by actors with family connections, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of their journeys to success.