Emma Roberts reveals downside of being a ‘nepo baby’

Emma Roberts has managed to pave a successful career in Hollywood, but she says being related to famous people isn’t as easy as it looks.

Emma Roberts has hit out at relentless criticism surrounding Hollywood “nepo babies”, as she revealed the downsides of having famous relatives.

The buzzy term has forced its way into the lexicon in recent years, with young stars copping heat for seemingly finding success off the back of their powerful connections.

In Roberts’ case, the 33-year-old actress is the niece of Oscar winner Julia Roberts, and daughter of prolific movie star Eric Roberts.

Emma Roberts is the niece of Julia Roberts. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

… And the daughter of experienced screen actor Eric Roberts. Picture: AFP/Robyn Beck

She got her big break as a pre-teen on the 2004 Nickelodeon series Unfabulous, before successfully transitioning to both the big and small screen as an adult in Hollywood.

But Roberts said paving her career hasn’t been as simple as it looks.

“People kind of only see your wins because they only see when you’re on the poster of a movie. They don’t see all the rejection along the way,” the American Horror Story star said on the Table for Two with Bruce Bozzipodcast.

“That’s why I’m always very open about things I’ve auditioned for and haven’t gotten the part for. I think it’s important to talk about – otherwise people just think everything’s been so great and linear and easy, and no, it’s not at all.

“But of course it looks like that to the outside perspective or to the naked eye.”

Emma shot to fame at a young age. Picture: Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Revolve

Roberts, a mother-of-one, pointed out several other roadblocks she’s encountered along the way.

“I think there’s two sides of the coin. People like to say, you know, you have a leg up because you have family in the industry,” she said.

“But then the other side to that is you have to prove yourself more.

Dakota Johnson is another “nepo baby”. Picture: Hector Vivas/Getty Images

“Also, if people don’t have good experiences with other people in your family, then you’ll never get a chance.”

The sheer volume of celebrity children working in showbiz was examined by New York Magazine in a controversial 2022 cover story.

The expose, titled ‘The Year of the Nepo Baby’, went viral on social media at the time, with many fans discovering some of their favourite stars were born into Hollywood royalty.

It cited the likes of Timothee Chalamet (nephew of director Rodman Flender), Dakota Johnson (Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith’s daughter), Lily Rose Depp (Johnny Depp’s daughter), Gracie Abrams (J.J. Abrams’ daughter), Maya Hawke (Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman’s daughter) and Lily Collins (Phil Collins’ daughter) among the nepo babies taking tinsel town by storm.

Originally published as Emma Roberts reveals downside of being a ‘nepo baby’