‘Nepotism’ has become the term that finds star kids privileged and considers them the ones who have a free pass to the industry, regardless of their potential. While there has been a lot of debate on nepo-kids throughout the film fraternity, actress Maya Hawke recently shared her candid thoughts on her path to Hollywood.
Maya Hawke is the daughter of actors Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, who are among the most renowned names in the film industry. Recently, during a conversation with The Times of London, the actress acknowledged that her parents have given her an advantage.
Maya Hawke shares candidly about her pros of being a nepo-baby
Just like her parents, Maya Hawke has a knack for acting, which the actress has proven with her performance as Robin Buckley in the Netflix science fiction series “Stranger Things,” since then, she has even starred in several other films, solidifying her career in Hollywood. While considering whether she deserves the success she’s received in the industry, Hawke said,
“‘Deserves’ is a complicated word. There are so many people who deserve to have this kind of life who don’t, but I think I’m comfortable with not deserving it and doing it anyway. And I know that my not doing it wouldn’t help anyone. I saw two paths when I was first starting, and one of them was: change your name, get a nose job, and go to open casting roles.”
25-year-old Hawke, who is also a musician, further added that she’s “comfortable” choosing the second option and embracing her nepotism, even if it leads to jokes. She said, “It’s OK to be made fun of when you’re in rarefied air. It’s a lucky place to be. My relationships with my parents are really honest and positive, and that supersedes anything anyone can say about it.”
In 2019, the actress appeared in a Quentin Tarantino-directed film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Previously, the actress commented on her role in the film, saying,
“I got an audition for the project through the normal channels through my agents. I did an audition in my bedroom with my dad. We sent in the tape to Quentin, and I got a callback.”
She was later teased for her remarks, which implied that she was cast in the movie based on skill alone. However, she’s now clarified her comments, admitting that nepotism played a part. Hawke said,
“I’ve been wildly made fun of for this clip when I said, on the red carpet, that I auditioned. I never meant to imply that I didn’t get the part for nepotistic reasons — I think I totally did”.
“Nepo baby” discourse has increased in recent years, notably after a 2022 New York Magazine story that dove into the invisible network of family ties that can give the children of celebrities an advantage in the industry.
