In case you missed it, Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, caused quite a controversy when she dismissed the effect nepotism had on her modelling and acting career.
“The internet seems to care a lot about that kind of stuff. People are going to have preconceived ideas about you or how you got there, and I can definitely say that nothing is going to get you the part except for being right for the part,” Depp recently told Elle, also claiming the term “nepo baby” is mostly used against women. “The internet cares a lot more about who your family is than the people who are casting you in things. Maybe you get your foot in the door, but you still just have your foot in the door. There’s a lot of work that comes after that. ”
While many have shared this sentiment (*cough* Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Therman *cough*), Italian model Vittoria Ceretti was not having it. While Ceretti — who has appeared on multiple international Vogue covers and works with brands like Prada, Versace, and Chanel — did not call out Lily-Rose Depp by name, she said she’d like to see if a certain “nepo baby” could have «lasted through the first five years of my career. ”
«I just want to share a thought here because I can. I bumped into an interview of a so-called ‘nepo baby’ or whatever y’all call it,» she began her Instagram Story post, which was later shared by the gossip account Diet Prada. While Ceretti conceded that the nepo baby in question has probably faced some rejection, the model pointed out that their privilege and family connections have likely cushioned any blow.
Vittoria Ceretti walks the runway during the Chanel Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2022.
“You can tell me your sad little story about it (even at the end of the day you can still always go cry on your dad’s couch in your villa in Malibu), but how about not being able to pay for your flight back home to your family? Waiting hours to do a fitting/casting just to see a nepo baby walk past you from the warm seat of her/his Mercedes with her/his driver and her/his friend/assistant/agent taking care of HER/HIS MENTAL HEALTH,” she continued. “You have no fucking idea how much it takes to make people respect you. TAKES YEARS. You just get it for free day one. ”
The model concluded, “I have many nepo baby friends whom I respect, but I can’t stand listening to you compare yourself to me. I was not born on a comfy sexy pillow with a view. I know it’s not your fault, but please, appreciate and know the place you came from. ”