Malia Obama will remain in constant contact with two of the most influential people in the world. She was born when Barack Obama was a senator from Illinois and was only 10 years old when she called the White House her home. Typically, many twenty-somethings trying to make a name for themselves in the world take advantage of whatever they can, but the aspiring filmmaker recently had her short film screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024. When making her debut, she dropped her famous last name.
In a move likely designed to avoid “Nepo Baby” criticism, her film The Heart was credited simply as Maria Ann, giving only her first and middle name. .
These days, the concepts of “nepo babies” and “nepo births” have been weighing heavily on the minds of burgeoning Gen Z stars. As they enter competitive industries, long-standing unfair practices become apparent. Many successful and famous people end up like this because of who they are in a relationship with.
This is especially true in the entertainment industry, but nepotism is much more widespread than most people realize. A recent Harvard University study found that by age 30, nearly one-third of Americans work for the same company as their parents, and young people earn nearly 20 percent more in those jobs than they otherwise would. .
But for young black stars with famous families, with a big shadow looming over their careers, it would be wise to reconsider staying anonymous, whether they’re working in front of the camera or behind the scenes. maybe. Historically, white men from high-income households have benefited the most from nepotism, but the situation is made worse by the wage gap that already exists between white male earners and other groups, the Harvard study says. magazine reports. The black community has barely scratched the surface of nepotism.
The “get out of the mud with nothing to give and no connections” mentality is strong and admirable, but work ethic and talent alone often don’t cut it. It’s a chance. Critically acclaimed actor John David Washington learned this the hard way.
As the son of Denzel Washington, he went to great lengths to hide his family ties when he was a teenager. “I lied about him being a construction worker or in prison just to maintain some sense of normalcy. Even if I was good, there was no way people would take me seriously. “I hid who my father was because I didn’t feel like he was,” he revealed in an interview with Porter.
The former college running back, who turned to acting in 2015, was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman and has been praised for his raw talent and commanding screen presence. But his career trajectory is often characterized as “slow and steady.”
So many veteran black entertainers have endured years of struggle, discrimination, and rejection in the workplace to lay the foundation for the next generation. “Nepotism” doesn’t just give you an unfair advantage, it also inspires a strong work ethic and helps up-and-comers hit their stride faster.
Examples include Zoe Kravitz’s meteoric rise to stardom and entrepreneur Andre Johnson, who worked in investments for his father Magic Johnson before becoming EVP of a successful digital sports league. Let’s look at. And following in the footsteps of his famous father LeBron James is USC Trojans basketball guard Bronny James.
The idea of being a “nepo baby” or flaunting your privilege by punching above your weight will always be controversial. But reducing barriers to success is something everyone can achieve.
