The term 'nepo baby' has become a common critique for celebrity children leveraging family connections, but some are pushing back by forging independent careers. Ronnie Wood's daughter Leah Wood, 47, recently spoke about her struggles as an artist despite her father's £150m fortune, stating she has 'worked her arse off' and received only minimal financial help from him.
Leah Wood told The Times that her father's lack of handouts motivated her work ethic, saying, 'I think my dad did me a favour there in not putting tens of millions of pounds into my bank account.' She emphasised her normal life, including paying a mortgage and fixing a stone wall, contrasting with other celebrity kids who 'just get handouts' and lack hunger for work.
Madonna's son Rocco Ritchie, 25, is another example. In 2016, he worked as a Deliveroo cyclist in London and later pursued painting under the pseudonym Rhed to hide his famous heritage. He only publicly acknowledged his parents in December 2023 when they attended his art exhibition.
These 'anti-nepo babies' stand in contrast to figures like Sunday Rose Kidman, daughter of Nicole Kidman, who faced backlash after modelling for Calvin Klein at 17, or Harper Beckham, whose upcoming skincare line sparked accusations of privilege. The resentment stems from the vast advantages celebrity children enjoy, but some are proving success can be earned on their own terms.
