Gwyneth Paltrow acknowledged that she has been helped by nepotism
(Picture: PA Archive)Gwyneth Paltrow has praised Hailey Bieber for wearing a shirt with the term “nepo baby” printed on it.
After InStyle Magazine posted a photo on Instagram of the 26-year-old model wearing the the top as she was out and about in Los Angeles on Friday, the Goop founder gave a thumbs up in the comments.
Paltrow, 50, wrote: “I might need a few of these.”
The fashion statement was also liked by actress Kate Hudson – whose mother is actress Goldie Hawn – and Paltrow’s praise follow the recent criticism about the growing number of children whose famous surnames have helped them find fame.
These children have been dubbed “nepotism babies”, or “nepo babies” for short.
Both Bieber and Paltrow are “nepo babies”.
Bieber, who is married to pop star Justin Bieber and has become a top fashion model, is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and the niece of Alec Baldwin.
Iron Man star Paltrow’s parents are actress Blythe Danner and film director Bruce Paltrow.
However, many people were unimpressed and took to the comments to slam Bieber’s statement.
One wrote: “Having money truly makes mediocre look aspirational.”
Another wrote: “Why are they acting like they’re standing up for something? ‘we are proud to say that the rich stay rich and in power!’ Good for u girl.”
A third commented: “Well really nothing to be proud of here,” while a fourth said: “Thank you to nepo babies for ruining the nepo baby discourse.
“An important discussion on the importance and influence of privilege and wealth in many industries. Now an ironic T-shirt that celebrities are liking and claiming.”
Paltrow recently spoke about nepotism on Bieber’s YouTube series Who’s in My Bathroom.
"As the child of ‘somebody’, you get access that other people don’t have," she said. "The playing field is not level in that way.
“However, I really do feel that once your foot is in the door, which you unfairly got in, then you have to work almost twice as hard and be twice as good.
“Because people are ready to pull you down and say ‘You don’t belong there’ or ‘You are only there because of your dad or your mom.’"
Last week, actor Tom Hanks also defended nepo babies.
The star’s children, including son Colin, Truman, Chet and daughter Elizabeth Ann, have all become Hollywood actors.
“Look, this is a family business,” he told Reuters. “This is what we’ve been doing forever. It’s what all of our kids grew up in.
“Doesn’t matter what our last names are. We have to do the work in order to make that a true and authentic experience for the audience.”
