Netizens Back Emma Roberts' Claim George Clooney Is Not Called A Nepo Baby Because He's A Man

Emma Roberts got candid about the nepo baby issue in Hollywood.

Roberts, 33, has starred in numerous movies, including "Wild Child," "We're The Millers," "About Fate," "Scream 4," "Nerve" and "Holidate," to name a few. However, many attribute her success in the industry to her family connections.

She is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts. The "Space Cadet" actress recently appeared on Bruce Bozzi's "Table for Two" podcast and seemingly fired back at the "nepo baby" criticism by questioning why George Clooney wasn't subjected to the same scrutiny when he also came from a famous family, and several netizens agreed with the "Madame Webb" star.

"[S]he is so right," one commented on X, formerly Twitter.

Another added, "I mean, she has a point -- no one calls Chris Pine a nepo baby."

"It's true that we often hear about female celebrities being labeled as 'nepo-babies,' while their male counterparts seem to get a pass. Emma's got a point there. Why aren't we seeing the same level of scrutiny for sons of famous actors?" a third person wrote.

"She clocked that tea. I only ever hear about female' nepo-babies,'" a different user said.

"She spilled bc I only ever see people talking about women," another remarked.

Some netizens also named other male actors who reportedly came from popular families but were not branded as nepo babies. One said no one has been talking about Nicolas Cage, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr. being nepo babies. Another added that Armie Hammer and Kiefer Sutherland could be put in the same category.

However, others argued that the issue also existed among male actors. Some said Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, and Jake Gyllenhaal were subjected to the same scrutiny.

"Jaden Smith? Jake Gyllenhaal??? I've seen tons of hate for them and could find more too," one wrote.

Someone else added, "Nick Cage literally changed his name to avoid it, what a terrible example."

"Everyone called Jaden Smith a Nepo baby when his dad put him in that crappy movie after earth or whatever it was called. Same with Ice Cube's son when he played his father in straight outta Compton. Also, you are free to call them out if you see them. This is victim bait," a third person opined.

"I'm sure Nic Cage did get the nepotism comments back in the day, which is probably why he changed his name to stop the comparison," a different commenter said.

Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola. He is the nephew of motion picture director Francis Ford Coppola. However, he changed his name and used the last name "Cage" to differentiate himself from his popular uncle.

Roberts opened up about the nepo baby issue on Bozzi's podcast.

"People definitely have preconceived notions of you," she said

"I think there's two sides of the coin, you know. People like to say, 'You have a leg up because you have family in the industry,' but then the other side to that is, you know, you have to prove yourself more," Roberts explained. "Also, if people don't have [a] good experience maybe with other people in your family, then you'll never get the chance."

She added that a unique story making it into Hollywood was more appealing than one having a familial connection, such as her case. However, she wondered why Clooney wasn't subjected to the same scrutiny when he is also from a famous family.

"I think there's something to be said where everybody loves the kind of overnight success story. And so if you're kind of not the girl from the middle of nowhere that broke into Hollywood, you know there's kind of an eye roll of like, 'Well, your dad was this,'" she continued.

"I always joke, I'm like, 'Why is no one calling out George Clooney for being a nepo baby? [His aunt] Rosemary Clooney was an icon,'" she added, referring to the actor's late aunt who was a famous singer and actress.

Tags

Emma roberts, George Clooney