Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson has described the 'nepo baby' debate as 'boring and annoying' after making fun of it on Saturday Night Live.
In almost any industry, the concept of 'it's not what you know, it's who you know' is true to some extent.
As a result it can be frustrating for those trying to get into the industry without connections, but one place in particular has come under fire more than most: Hollywood.
The film and TV industry is full of people who have followed in their famous parents' footsteps, with Dakota Johnson among those who has faced criticism for potentially receiving a leg-up after she followed her parents, Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, into stardom.
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Not wanting to ignore being called a 'nepo (nepotism) baby', Johnson decided to address the criticism in a comedy sketch when she hosted Saturday Night Live last month.
Joined by John Higgins and Martin Herlihy — sons of SNL legends Steve Higgins and Tim Herlihy — the group hit each other with endless back and forth roasts.
"Is Daddy-o who you called to get your job?," Johnson asked, before being asked whether she really wanted to 'do the parent thing'.
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"Nope," she responded, before calling for a 'nepo truce'.
The group put their 'nepo' rings together before chanting a mantra: "A foot in the door and so much more."
The sketch earned a lot of laughs from the audience, and on Wednesday (7 February), Johnson spoke more about the 'nepo baby' debate and whether the children of stars have an unfair advantage.
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While discussing her entry into the industry in an interview with Hoda Kotb on theToday show, Johnson made clear that her parents didn't give her any help as she said her dad 'cut her off' when she decided she wanted to pursue acting over going to college.
Johnson took on modelling jobs to help pay her rent before earning some acting credits, though she did occasionally have to ask her mom for help.
When it came to being described as a 'nepo baby', then, Johnson said: "When that first started I found it to be incredibly annoying and boring.
“If you’re a journalist, write about something else. That’s just lame. So the opportunity to make fun of it [on Saturday Night Live], I jumped at.”
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After Johnson shared her comments, a number of viewers responded to criticize her opinion on the debate.
"Dakota Johnson not recognizing her privilege is … lame," one viewer commented, while another wrote: "I don’t understand how it’s so difficult for them to say “yeah my famous and rich parents helped me get into the industry"."
However, others stuck up for the star as one X user wrote: "being a nepo baby isn’t inherently bad especially when they decide to be talented."
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Money, Dakota Johnson
Emily Brown