Emma Roberts, best known for her roles in 'American Horror Story' and 'Scream Queens,' shares her perspective on the 'nepo baby' debate, highlighting the unique pressures faced by celebrity offspring in Hollywood.
- Jun 28, 2024
AceShowbiz - Emma Roberts, the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts, has weighed in on the ongoing "nepo baby" debate, bringing attention to the gender disparity in criticism directed at children of celebrities.
Speaking on the "Table for Two" podcast, the 33-year-old actress remarked, "I always joke, 'Why is no one calling out George Clooney for being a nepo baby? [His aunt] Rosemary Clooney was an icon,' " emphasizing how young women often bear the brunt of such scrutiny.
Emma Roberts noted that gender plays a significant role in the nepo baby discussion. She observed that young girls face harsher criticism than their male counterparts. "I feel like young girls get it harder with the nepo baby thing. Like, I don't really see people calling out sons of famous actors," she added.
Roberts made her acting debut at the age of nine in the movie "Blow" and has since experienced the unique pressures of growing up in a famous family. She highlighted how, despite the perceived advantages, there are significant drawbacks. "People like to say, you know, you have a leg up because you have family in the industry. But then the other side to that is, you have to prove yourself more," Roberts explained.
She pointed out that the public tends to see only the triumphs of nepo babies, overlooking the rejections and hard work that accompany their careers. "People only see your wins, because they only see when you're on the poster of a movie - they don't see all the rejection along the way," she said.
The "American Horror Story" star also mentioned how connections in Hollywood can sometimes hinder one's career if others have had bad experiences with family members.
Despite the challenges, Roberts has aimed to carve her own path in the industry, expressing a desire for her work to overshadow her fame. "Fame has never been the goal, because fame at a certain level is kind of scary," she shared. She cited her aunt Julia's experience as both a guiding light and a cautionary tale about the darker sides of extreme fame.
Concluding her thoughts on the debate, Roberts emphasized that no one should be criticized for pursuing their dreams. "I don't think anyone should be called out for wanting to follow their dream," she said, recalling the extensive work and persistence behind the so-called "overnight success" stories.
The nepo baby conversation became particularly heated in 2022 after New York Magazine's cover on the topic sparked widespread discourse, forcing many in Hollywood and beyond to reexamine the invisible networks of family ties in the media industry.
