Nepo baby hate is so poisonous – people just misunderstand us or are jealous, says Mel B’s daughter Phoenix Chi Brown
FORMER Spice Girl Mel B’s daughter has opened up about the perks and pressures of growing up with a famous parent.
Phoenix Chi Brown, 25, who is carving out her own career as a DJ and television presenter, has shared her thoughts on the often misunderstood world of ‘nepo babies’ – children of celebrities who are believed to use their parents’ connections to get ahead.
In her new Channel 4 documentary, she explores the topic of nepotism and the “rising anger in recent years” towards the success of celebrity offspring in the entertainment industry.
Speaking to Radio Times, Phoenix candidly admitted: “I can’t deny that having Mel B as my mum has opened a few doors.”
She added: “Even when nepo babies are great at their job, they face a backlash fuelled by misunderstanding, jealousy or resentment.
“The issue has never before sparked so much hate or become so febrile and poisonous.”
In her upcoming documentary Nepo Babies: Untold, airing next Thursday on Channel 4, Phoenix dives headfirst into the realities of leveraging her famous parentage.
She sets out to prove just how much her mum’s name can boost her success.
In one eye-opening experiment, Phoenix pretends to reinvent herself as an artist, using a pseudonym before eventually dropping her famous connection.
The result? Viewers will watch as she stages an exhibition and manages to sell one of her paintings for over £2,000 – an impressive feat, but with a catch.
An independent expert in the documentary admits that without the association to her mum, the artwork would likely be worth just £30.
The term “nepo baby” shot to fame after New York Magazine declared 2022 as “the year of the nepo baby.”
The label highlighted the rise of young stars like Lily-Rose Depp, Kaia Gerber, and Dakota Johnson, whose success has often been linked to their famous parents.
Others include the children of David and Victoria Beckham, including Brooklyn whose skills are in cookery and photography.
He also happens to be married to Nicola Peltz, the daughter of a hedge fund billionaire.
According to data firm Braidr, over half of social media comments about Brooklyn Beckham are negative, with many suggesting his success is largely due to his famous parents.
They would have been embarrassed to just say that they were someone’s son or daughter
Mel B, 49
However, Phoenix has pushed back against the critics, arguing that nepotism isn’t exactly a new phenomenon.
She said: “Nepotism is everywhere, no matter what area you work in. It’s just that the entertainment industry is very visible.
“It’s clear there is a problem … but we will get nowhere by targeting nepo babies as individuals. We must explore the bigger societal issues.”
In the documentary, Phoenix highlights the stark contrast between her own experience and that of others trying to break into the industry.
What is a Nepo Baby?
A ‘nepo baby’ is a colloquial term used to describe individuals who have gained opportunities or success in their careers primarily due to familial connections or the influence of their well-known or wealthy parents, rather than solely through their own talent, skills, or efforts.
The term ‘nepo’ is short for ‘nepotism’, which refers to favouritism granted to relatives or close friends, often in a professional context.
Key Characteristics:
- Inherited advantage: Nepo babies often benefit from their family’s established reputation, wealth, or industry connections.
- Access to networks: They typically have easier access to influential networks and resources within their chosen field.
- Public perception: The term can carry a negative connotation, implying that their success is not entirely merit-based.
Industries Affected:
- Entertainment: Many actors, musicians, and other performers are often labeled as nepo babies if they have famous parents.
- Business: Individuals who inherit or are given significant roles in family-owned businesses.
- Politics: Politicians who follow in the footsteps of their parents or other relatives.
Examples:
- Children of famous actors who become actors themselves.
- Heirs to business empires who assume executive roles.
- Offspring of political figures who enter public office.
The concept of nepo babies is often debated, with some arguing that it undermines the notion of meritocracy.
Meanwhile, others believe that it is natural for families to support and help each other succeed.
While she easily secures interest from three prominent figures in the art world for an internship, a talented graduate from London’s prestigious Slade School of Fine Art struggles to get any responses to similar email requests.
Her mum Mel, 49, added: “Back in my era there wasn’t such a thing as a nepo baby.
“Maybe someone was the [child] of somebody famous but they all grafted.
“They would have been embarrassed to just say that they were someone’s son or daughter.”
Richest Nepo Babies
NEPO babies - children of celebrities or influential individuals who benefit from their parents' fame and connections - often have a leg up in their careers. Here are some of the wealthiest nepo babies:
Blue Ivy Carter
- Parents: Beyoncé and Jay-Z
- Worth: Estimated to be worth millions due to her parents’ combined wealth and her own ventures in music.
Brooklyn Beckham
- Parents: David and Victoria Beckham
- Worth: With parents who are icons in football and fashion, Brooklyn has carved out his own space in photography and modelling.
Kaia Gerber
- Parents: Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber
- Worth: Following in her supermodel mother’s footsteps, Kaia has a flourishing modelling career.
Jaden Smith
- Parents: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
- Worth: Jaden has succeeded as an actor, musician, and entrepreneur, leveraging his parents’ fame and his own talents.
Lila Moss
- Parents: Kate Moss and Jefferson Hack
- Worth: As the daughter of a supermodel, Lila has quickly risen in the fashion world with numerous high-profile modelling gigs.
Lourdes Leon
- Parents: Madonna
- Worth: Lourdes has made a name for herself in fashion and music, benefiting from her mother’s legendary status.
North West
- Parents: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
- Worth: Even at a young age, North is already a social media sensation and has appeared in several fashion campaigns.
These individuals exemplify how familial connections can provide significant advantages in building wealth and achieving success.