In late 2022, a viral New York magazine article about “nepo babies” and the world’s complicated relationship with them spurred massive discourse across the internet. Now, actor Amanda Seyfried has entered the chat to offer her take on the touchy debate about celebrities whose parents are also celebrities.
“Listen, nepo babies aren’t the worst. We gotta stop giving them a bad name. It’s not their fucking fault,” the actor, 39, said in a TikTok clip posted by Canadian news outlet Etalk on Tuesday.
TV correspondent Traci Melchor agreed with Seyfried while expressing that she wished she didn’t have to “fight” her way into the industry. Seyfried replied, “Me too!”
The actor argued that nepotism won’t save anyone who’s not talented because “it all comes out in the wash,” adding, “if you’re not good, you’re not good.”
Appearing to become emotional, the “Mean Girls” alum then pointed to singer Gracie Abrams, daughter of famous filmmaker J.J. Abrams, as an example.
“Gracie Abrams is… incredible. So whether or not her dad helped her out, it doesn’t matter. It’s like, she’s very, very, very good at what she does and she brings it and gotta love her,” Seyfried noted.
Social media users on TikTok had mixed reactions to Seyfried’s sentiments.
“[Nepo babies] refuse to acknowledge their privilege and that is in fact their fault,” one person argued.
Another added, “They claim to be self made is the prob.”
“I can see where she’s coming from, but the problem is so many of them aren’t good and they’re being forced down our throats while so many talented people never get a chance,” someone else argued.
One person wrote, “No it’s not their fault but yes it def does matter… there are a lot of talented people who don’t have that privilege.”
“I just would like to know why people expect “nepo babies” to be doctors or lawyers…they grow in an artistic environment, and no matter what they choose, sing, write, paint…people complain,” another commenter said.
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Watch a clip from Seyfried’s interview below.
