Every few years, a fresh batch of celebrities emerges from the celebrity factory, looking just like stars we’ve already seen twenty years ago. These days, it seems like every other actor or musician shares the same face and last name as someone already well established in the industry. 

The phrase “nepo baby” might be a favorite joke of chronically online netizens (me included) today, but nepotism has been a long-running tradition in showbiz, right up there with unnecessary movie sequels and political stunts at the Oscars. 

But not all nepo babies are created equal. 

Some use their privilege for a few forgettable projects or a fancy skincare brand. Others take advantage of their Hollywood head start and build something bigger. I’m not judging talent here; I’m just looking at who has taken their nepo baby status to its fullest potential and who hasn’t quite gotten there. 

A celebrity of their own

These are the rare nepo babies we almost forget have famous parents. They’ve built careers that stand on their own, created strong public images, and now their parents are more of a footnote than a forethought. Having a well-known family might have opened doors, but staying in the spotlight takes more than just a famous last name. 

Sofia Coppola 

Francis Ford Coppola’s daughter didn’t just inherit her dad’s Hollywood connections; she also inherited a real talent for filmmaking. After her, ahem, controversial acting debut in The Godfather Part III, she pivoted to operating behind the camera and became one of the most legendary female directors. Yes to more women in film! 

Lily-Rose Depp 

As the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose was always destined for fame. But she’s so much more than her parents’ careers. Recently, she’s become my favorite director, Robert Eggers’, go-to actress. She starred in his 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu, and she’ll reunite with Eggers this winter in his upcoming film, Werwulf. 

Zoe Kravitz 

Zoe is more than just the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet. From Big Little Lies and The Batman to directing Blink Twice, she’s become one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars. At this point, she’s arguably more recognizable to younger audiences than either of her parents. 

Mostly Instagram famous

Not everyone uses their family connections to chase Oscars. Some find that looking good, showing up at fashion week, and getting lots of PR freebies can be a career of its own. These celebrities have used their famous names, but their success is measured more by followers, brand deals, and the number of likes on their Instagram photo dumps. 

Kaia Gerber 

With supermodel Cindy Crawford as her mom, Kaia was born into fashion royalty. She’s made a name for herself on the runway and tried some acting, but her biggest impact is still in fashion and on social media, not from any standout creative project. 

Sofia Richie 

For a long time, Sofia Richie was mostly known as Lionel Richie’s daughter. Then her wedding, “quiet luxury” style, and a TikTok viral fashion moment turned her into one of the top fashion influencers almost overnight. Sometimes, great style is all you need. 

Hailey Bieber 

The Baldwin name helped Hailey Bieber get started, but she found ways to stay in the spotlight. She turned her modeling career into a beauty brand, Rhode, and keeps one of the most followed social media accounts in pop culture. Being married to Justin Bieber likely helped her numbers, too. 

Oh, I forgot Gwyneth Paltrow had a daughter. 

Every famous family has a few members who haven’t really found their place yet. Maybe they’re still figuring things out, or their projects haven’t taken off. Maybe social media just isn’t on their side. Whatever the reason, these nepo babies haven’t fully used the name recognition they were born with. 

Jaden Smith 

Jaden has tried a bit of everything: acting, music, fashion, even bottled water. Still, none of it has made people forget he’s Will Smith’s son. He’s had some successes, but his career feels more like a bunch of side projects than a career. 

Chet Hanks 

Tom Hanks’ son has become internet-famous for reasons that almost certainly weren’t part of the family business. Chet Hanks is internet-famous, though probably not in the way his family hoped for. With hilarious YouTube and reality TV appearances and an incredible Jamaican Patois accent, he’s become known for his side-splitting viral moments rather than for building a Hollywood enterprise. 

Apple Martin

The daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin has spent most of her life avoiding the spotlight. And you know what? Good for her. That’s probably the healthiest decision anyone in this article has made.

Recently, she’s started making more appearances as a model for magazines like Chloe and Interview. And maybe we’ll see more of her! Maybe. I certainly don’t care either way.

Do you think these best and worst nepo babies use their nepotism wisely? Let us know in the comments what you would do if you were in their position!