Kate Winslet has faced backlash for her remarks about the term ‘nepo baby’, stating that her children didn’t receive any advantages in the entertainment field.
The term ‘nepo baby’ refers to the offspring of influential or affluent parents, whose achievements are often attributed to their parents’ industry connections.
Commonly used to describe the children of famous actors and musicians, Winslet—whose acting career spans over three decades—argues that this doesn’t always ensure a thriving career.
“I don’t like the nepo baby term because, you know, these kids are not getting a leg up,” the mother of two told the BBC.
“You know, [Joe] would say to me, ‘I don’t want people to think that this film is just being made because you’re my mum’. The film would have been made with or without me, the script is so, so good.
“And with Mia, I just try and say to my children, just follow your heart.”
Winslet was speaking with the outlet prior to the release of Goodbye June, a film for which her son Joe Anders, 21, penned the screenplay.
Joe also acted alongside Winslet in the film Lee, as well as in 1917, directed by his father, Sam Mendes.
Meanwhile, Winslet’s daughter Mia Threapleton appeared with her mother in the Channel 4 drama I Am Ruth.
“There are lots and lots of people in the world whose children go into a similar family business, whether it’s being a judge or a lawyer or a doctor,” Winslet elaborated.
“Part of it is actually teaching them to ignore the white noise of silly terms like nepo baby, which you can’t really do anything about.”
Many were quick to criticize Winslet’s statements, accusing her of being ‘delusional’ about the concept.
One individual commented: “This is delusional and insulting to every young performer who lacks famous parents or the necessary contacts to get opportunities.”
Another remarked: “Even if you believe this (which I don’t) – there was a shocking statistic out recently about the very low number of working-class people working in the arts in the UK.
“It has massively declined during my lifetime and much of it is because trying to make it in the arts costs too much money. Most people simply can’t afford to wait for their big break.
“So whether you want to call them ‘nepo babies’ or not, they are still privileged kids from wealthy backgrounds which is a massive help regardless of who their parents are. (And then you add that on top of it.) I get being proud of your kids and wanting them to do well, but really.”
A third person added: “Why can’t people just admit they had a helping hand? Talent plays a part, but also it’s luck-based.”
Another noted: “I don’t care if someone is a nepo baby. Best believe, if I was in a position to give kids a leg up, I’d do so. Of course I want them to be successful and to be doing something meaningful to them.
“But, just admit it. This is what aggravates me. Let’s see how her kids’ careers would be going if she was working a 40 hour week, making 50k a year somewhere. Is it possible they’d be doing what they are doing? Sure. It is likely? No, absolutely not.”