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'Nepo Baby' Lily Allen Sparks Debate By Saying Celeb Kids Aren't Who We Should Be 'Worrying About'
21 December 2022
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Singer Lily Allen is speaking out against all the recent 'nepo baby' hate.
The "Smile" and "F**k You" singer herself is a nepotism baby, her father being actor Keith Allen and mother movie producer Allison Owen.
Allen, however, does not like being called a 'nepo baby' especially because of the negative connotation associated with the term.
She recently posted a thread on Twitter outlining her thoughts on the matter, claiming that 'nepo babies' in law, politics, and finance are the ones people "should be worrying about."
In her first tweet she said:
"The nepo babies y'all should be worrying about are the ones working for legal first, the ones working for banks, and the ones working in politics."
"If we're talking about real world consequences and robbing people of opportunity."
"BUT that's none of my business."
\u201cThe nepo babies y\u2019all should be worrying about are the ones working for legal firms,the ones working for banks,and the ones working in politics, If we\u2019re talking about real world consequences and robbing people of opportunity. BUT that\u2019s none of my business.\u201d— Lily A (@Lily A) 1671473901
Allen later quote-tweeted herself:
"And before you come at me for being a nepo baby myself, I will be the first to tell you that I literally deserve nothing."
\u201cAnd before you come at me for being a nepo baby myself, I will be the first to tell you that I literally deserve nothing.\u201d— Lily A (@Lily A) 1671475310
Her tweets seemed to ignite a lot of back-and-forth conversation regarding the entertainment industry and the privilege associated with nepotism.
In response—and in an attempt to clarify—Allen posted a thread that only seemed to further muddy the waters.
Her lengthy thread read:
"Look, I seem to have riled people up with my comments about nepo babies."
"I am nearly 40 years of age and am more than happy, in fact I think it's important to disclose what a privileged upbringing I've had and how that has created so many opportunities for me."
"I mention my age because I haven't always been able to have that conversation, in my twenties I felt very defensive about it, I felt like I worked extremely hard and that I deserved the success that I had, that people connected to my songs and that the songs came from me."
\u201cI mention my age because I haven\u2019t always been able to have that conversation, in my twenties I felt very defensive about it, I felt like I worked extremely hard and that I deserved the success that I had,\u201d— Lily A (@Lily A) 1671550380
She continued:
"I also had quite a fraught relationship with some of my family members so it felt difficult for me to attribute my successes to them, at the time."
"But we all know it's more complicated than that."
"It's quite clear that there is a severe lack of representation in the industry where class and race are concerned."
"Everyone loses as a result."
\u201cBut we all know it\u2019s more complicated than that. \nIt is quite clear that there is a severe lack of representation in the industry where class and race are concerned. Everyone loses as a result.\u201d— Lily A (@Lily A) 1671550380
Allen finished:
"I do feel that nepo babies are being somewhat scapegoated here though, there is a wider, societal conversation to be had about wealth inequality, about lack of programs and funding, and I guess that was the point I was trying to make, maybe badly."
"I promise you I'm not rooting for an industry full of people that had childhoods that looked like mine."
"I just really think that we can't get to a real solution without identifying the real problem, as fun as it is to laugh at the kids of famous people."
"Nepo babies have feelings."
\u201cI promise you I\u2019m not rooting for an industry full of people that had childhoods that looked like mine.I just really think that we can\u2019t get to a real solution without identifying the real problem, as fun as it is to laugh at the kids of famous people. Nepo babies have feelings.\u201d— Lily A (@Lily A) 1671550380
Some Twitter users agreed with Allen and stated 'nepo babies' are treated differently without regard to their feelings.
Honestly I hate the way nepo babies are treated. Just automatically shamed and criticised for existing, it’s ridiculous. All it does is create more divide. Whether you’re raised in working class or upper class, we’re all human beings.
— TLaveene (@LaveeneW) December 20, 2022
There is a difference between having enough star power and talent to continue in your field for many years, and being in a movie because daddy bought it for you. You keep being you!
— mümmã hûtçh (@KarenHutchings2) December 20, 2022
I got the point u were making, others seem to be deliberately misinterpreting. Your connections may have got you in the door, then you had a chance to prove yourself. Politicians, Lords, aristocracy have so much power, and can get away with murder. It’s all distraction.
— Jamie Eldon (@jamie_eldon) December 20, 2022
Others agreed with some of what Allen stated, but pointed out she was born into opportunity many never encounter, regardless of their talent.
Children of celebrities who didn’t have to struggle as much as other celebs to achieve their fame
— Ana V. (@lil_lobster236) December 20, 2022
But that's all people are saying. Who your family is gets you in a door you probably never would've had a chance to enter, your talent is what made you stay. It's okay to admit that.
— Cold Brew Consumptioner (@xoxo_krissi) December 21, 2022
Created opportunities is the key. You wouldn’t have had so much sustained success without your own talent. Look at the nepo babies in music who aren’t successful. It’s the same for any profession. You grow up seeing that aiming for X job is normal and attainable.
— Ian. Not Moved On. (@worcesteryokel) December 20, 2022
Nice. Not just a privileged upbringing but direct support, too. It's not just being raised rich.
Alfie Allen's first film role was in Elizabeth. The producer? His mother. Tell me his casting was solely on merit
— J M (@mulronie) December 21, 2022
I guess the main point is, in your heart of hearts, do you believe your children would have an easier or harder time getting the opportunity to break into the music or movie industry than the children of any other non famous family?
— Vitor Araujo (@Vitor_BR) December 21, 2022
After much discussion, Allen hung up her hat for the day.
"Anyway, enough internets for today, I am abandoning my post as chief nepo baby defender."
"Have a wonderful rest of your day."
\u201cAnyway, enough internets for today, I am abandoning my post as chief nepo baby defender. Have a wonderful rest of your day.\u201d— Lily A (@Lily A) 1671555454
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