The next wave of ‘nepo babies’: From Deacon Phillipe making his acting debut with a little help from mom Reese Witherspoon to John Travolta’s daughter Ella releasing music – a look at the noughties celebrity kids following in their parents’ footsteps
- Deacon Phillippe landed his first TV role in Netflix’s hit comedy series, created and produced by his mom’s pal, Mindy Kaling
- Kaling admitted she cast the aspiring actor in the role after his famous mom expressed his interest in acting
- Elsewhere Ella Travolta, the daughter of Hollywood icon John and the late Kelly Preston, is set to release a new song on December 30
- The aspiring actress has also wrapped up production on her leading role in the upcoming flick, Get Lost
- Meanwhile, the likes of Kaia Gerber, Leni Klum and Lila Grace Moss Hack have all been able to launch their careers with a helping hand from their famous parents
- Young stars such as Willow Smith and Romeo Beckham have already made millions in their careers so far
- FEMAIL reveals the other Gen Z celebrity kids trying to make their name in the same industry that helped make their parents global superstars
Having grown up in the spotlight thanks to their famous family members, a new crop of ‘nepotism babies’ are now taking the steps to make their own mark in Hollywood.
Indeed, Ella Travolta has already highlighted the fact she inherited her love for music and movies from dad John Travolta and her mother, the late Kelly Preston, through her recent projects.
Meanwhile, Deacon Phillippe has officially taken his first foray into the family business after his mother, Reese Witherspoon, helped him land a role in hit Netflix series Never Have I Ever.
For Nico Parker, 2023 is set to be a game-changing year as Thandiwe Newton’s daughter will be starring in HBO’s next big-budget television series The Last of Us.
Though other ‘nepotism babies’ such as Maya Hawke, Zoe Kravitz and Dakota Johnson are firmly cementing their place in Hollywood thanks to a string of big name projects, the next set of celebrity offspring aren’t far behind.
Here, FEMAIL reveals the celebrity children attempting to carve out their own slice of the success enjoyed by their famous parents.
DEACON PHILLIPPE, 19: ACTOR
Famous parents: Actors Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon’s son Deacon (middle) has decided to try and become an actor
The teenager made his acting debut as a character in Mindy Kaling’s popular teen drama, Never Have I Ever
Deacon is the youngest child of former couple Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, who famously starred together in iconic 90s flick Cruel Intentions.
The Hollywood stars were married from 1999 until 2007 and are also parents to daughter Ava, 23.
Now Deacon has chosen to continue the family tradition of acting as he makes his debut in the hit Netflix series, Never Have I Ever.
The teen comedy series is created and produced by Mindy Kaling, who has been working on the script for Reese’s upcoming Legally Blonde 3 movie.
Deacon has a guest star role as Parker, who is central character Devi’s (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) debate team rival from a well-funded private school.
Speaking to Variety about the casting decision, Mindy revealed that she cast Deacon after Reese told her that he had an interest in acting.
‘We were breaking the season and there was this role that seemed like it would be perfect for Deacon,’ she stated.
‘He’s obviously so talented and he’s great-looking, and we just thought he would be great and he was excited to come and do it. He’s just such a well-raised kid.’
She continued: ‘He’s so talented, he’s so funny and fit in perfectly with the cast. The cast and the crew loved him and it was special to have him.
‘He’s such a humble kid and he just wants to learn. And he’s been raised by two very successful actors. He’s not wary or anything. He just came in with this open mind and was excited.’
KAIA GERBER, 21: MODEL
Famous parent: Model Cindy Crawford
Kaia Gerber was quick to join her supermodel mother, Cindy Crawford, in the modelling business
The young model instantly got the chance to grace of Vogue Paris with her mother in 2016
Kaia has flourished as a model after she learnt the tricks of the trade not only from her mom but Cindy’s many supermodel friends
Kaia is the youngest child of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber.
As a carbon copy of her famous mother, it came as no surprise to the world when Kaia made her modelling debut as a teenager.
Having learnt tricks of the trade not only from her mom but Cindy’s many supermodel friends, Kaia soon made her Fashion Week debut in 2017 and has fast become a go-to model for top fashion brands across the world.
It doesn’t hurt that the young model actually graced the cover of Vogue Paris in 2016 with her mother, shot by iconic photographer Mario Testino.
Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt gushed at the time: ‘The family resemblance is striking.
‘There’s the same brown eyes that gaze out from underneath the same full brows, the smile that could charm the stars out of the sky, the cascade of hair that would have Barbie green with envy and the same enviable figure from the same genetic miracle.
‘Cindy Crawford’s daughter Kaia Gerber joins her on our cover this month and she’s a carbon copy of her mother at the same age, the original supermodel in the 1990s. For the first time, the pair pose together for Vogue, in the safe hands of Mario Testino.’
Kaia has since been involved in high fashion campaigns for the likes of Chanel, Calvin Klein and Alexander Wang, while she is currently worth $4million.
ELLA TRAVOLTA, 22: ACTOR AND MUSICIAN
Famous parents: Actor John Travolta and late actress Kelly Preston
Ella Travolta has her father John’s full support as she pursues a career in acting and music
Ella is the second child and only daughter of actor John and his late wife, Kelly Preston
Ella is the second child of actor John Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston. Acting is very much in the blood seeing as John’s mother Helen was an actress and singer who then became a high school drama teacher.
Ella first got a taste of what it’s like to be on set when she joined her father in his films Old Dogs (2009) and The Poison Rose (2019).
The pair also starred in multiple commercials together for brands such as Scotts Lawn and PlayStation.
However, the aspiring actress has taken on her first leading role in the upcoming flick, Get Lost.
Her proud father shared a picture of Ella in costume on Instagram in September 2021 and gushed: ‘Here’s my daughter Ella starring in a live action re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland! Called, ‘Get Lost.’ I’m a very proud dad!’
John has been full of pride as the aspiring actress took on her first leading role in the upcoming flick, Get Lost
Ella has also been showcasing her vocals skills on social media, with the singer releasing her new song from her upcoming EP on December 30
Ella also shared her excitement about the project as she shared her own post which read: ‘I am so honored and happy to begin this adventure on such a wonderful project with such an amazing cast and crew. Stay tuned…@get_lost_the_film #aliceinwonderland.’
According to Deadline, Get Lost ‘is a modern-day re-imagining of Alice In Wonderland with the creatures turned into human characters. Travolta plays Alicia/Alice, who goes on a wildly magical trip into the wonderland that is Budapest.
‘Alicia is backpacking through Europe to fulfill her mother’s last wish, and a chance encounter with a strange girl forces Alicia to go on a mind-bending overnight adventure.
‘There she meets not only a mysterious young man, but a whole menagerie of individuals that take her on an odyssey that will open her heart and mind. In the end, her journey ends with a revelation, and freedom.’
NICO PARKER, 18: ACTOR
Famous parents: Actress Thandiwe Newton and director Oliver Parker
Nico Parker is the daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and British writer, director and producer Ol Parker
The young star made her acting debut in 2019 after securing a role in the Tim Burton-directed Dumbo movie alongside the likes of Colin Farrell (left)
Nico Parker is the younger daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and British writer, director and producer Ol Parker.
The young star made her acting debut in 2019 after securing a role in the Tim Burton-directed Dumbo movie.
After that, Nico went on to star alongside Jude Law and Naomi Harris in the HBO miniseries, The Third Day, in 2020.
Meanwhile, she shared the screen with her own mother in the 2021 science fiction film, Reminiscence.
Now, Nico is gearing up to become a household name thanks to her part in HBO’s highly-anticipated TV series adaptation of the popular video game, The Last of Us.
Nico is gearing up to become a household name thanks to her part in HBO’s highly-anticipated TV series adaptation of the popular video game, The Last of Us
Despite having an actress mother, Nico has claimed she chose not to turn to her parents for advice when it comes to acting
The Last Of Us story takes place ‘twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed,’ following Joel, a hardened survivor, who is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.
‘What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival,’ according to the show’s description.
The series is set to become another big hit for the network which has enjoyed recent success with programs such as Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon and Euphoria.
Despite having an actress mother, Nico has claimed she chose not to turn to her parents for advice when it came to acting.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she explained: ‘When it came to acting, I didn’t really want advice. It was very much my own experience.’
PARIS JACKSON, 24: MUSICIAN, ACTOR AND MODEL
Famous parent: Late musician Michael Jackson
Model behavior: Paris Jackson has proven herself to be a triple threat after working as model, actress and singer
Paris Jackson is the second child of the late pop icon Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe
Paris has released several punk and grunge projects as she carves out her own lane in the music industry
Paris is the second child of the late pop icon Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe.
Like her famous family, the singer has a love for music and officially released her first single, Let Down, in 2020, with her debut album dropping in November that year.
She released her single, Lighthouse, and its music video in June and another single titled Just You in October.
The striking starlet joined IMG Model in 2017 when she turned 18, and has since featured in campaigns for the likes of Chanel and Calvin Klein.
The singer has had starring roles in shows such as Star and American Horror Stories
Paris was one of the all-star lineup of models who featured in the final runway showcase for renowned designer Jean Paul Gaultier in 2020.
Most recently, she has been the face of KVD beauty and Kim Kardashian’s Skims line.
Meanwhile, Paris made her acting debut with a guest-starring role in Lee Daniels’ Fox drama Star.
She went on to make her feature film debut in Gringo before landing parts in the VH1 series, Scream, and starring as Maya in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Stories in 2021.
Thanks to her inheritance from her father’s large fortune, as well as her own earnings, Paris is believed to have a net worth of $100 million.
EVER GABO ANDERSON, 15: ACTOR AND MODEL
Famous parents: Actress Milla Jovovich and filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson
Despite being the daughter of action star Milla Jovovich and writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson, Ever Anderson had to convince her parents to let her pursue acting
D23 🙂 Peter Pan and Wendy teaser trailer coming soon
As the eldest daughter of action star Milla Jovovich and writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson, Ever grew up in the world of films and ‘found it cool that my parents work in a world of make-believe.’
However, her parents were not initially supportive when their young daughter expressed her desire to start acting.
The teen starlet made her debut as the Young Alicia Marcus/Red Queen in 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, written and directed by her father.
In 2020, the then 12-year-old graced the cover of Flaunt magazine and spoke candidly about being a nepotism baby.
The teenager ‘found it cool that my parents work in a world of make-believe’
Speaking to the magazine, she explained: ‘The challenging part is having to prove myself. I feel like when your mom is an actress and your dad is a director, those are some pretty big shoes to fill.
‘I want to work hard and make my own path so that people don’t only see me as their daughter, but also as someone who has worked for it, and that I really know what I’m doing and it wasn’t just all handed to me.’
Revealing the reality of the situation, she added: ‘There have already been quite a few projects that I auditioned for where the role went to someone else.
‘That is when my parents remind me to dust myself off and keep working at it if acting is what I really want to do.’
Ever was most recently seen as Young Natasha Romanoff in Marvel’s Black Widow, while she is set to star as Wendy Darling in Disney’s upcoming live-action Peter Pan & Wendy.
The Miu Miu brand ambassador has also completed filming on Joah Jordan’s upcoming film, Helvellyn Edge.
ROMEO BECKHAM, 20: ATHLETE AND MODEL
Famous parents: Football star David Beckham and Spice Girl Victoria Beckham
Romeo is second son of soccer superstar David Beckham and Spice Girl legend turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham
Romeo made his modelling debut as a tween by starring in a global campaigns for Burberry
His relationship with fashion has only continued to develop over the years with the tall teen modelling for the likes of Saint Laurent
Romeo is second son of soccer superstar David Beckham and Spice Girl legend turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham.
Having grown up with parents famous for their fashion looks, it seemed fitting that Romeo would make his modelling debut aged 10 when he starred in a global campaign for Burberry.
Romeo has also followed in his father footsteps by becoming a soccer player
Following the success of the campaign, he then became the face of the British luxury fashion house four years later.
His relationship with fashion has only continued to develop over the years with the tall teen modelling for the likes of Saint Laurent, AMI Paris and Puma.
In fact, the young sports star has signed a long-term brand deal with Puma, impacting to his continued love of sports such as soccer and tennis.
Romeo wasn’t just content with dipping his toe into the fashion like his mother as he has followed in his father footsteps by becoming a professional soccer player.
He started his footballing career in Arsenal’s academy in 2014, but was released the following year and had a five-year hiatus from the sport.
Now the 19-year-old is a forward on the reserves team of the American third-tier side Inter Miami II (formerly known as Fort Lauderdale CF), which is owned by his father David.
Romeo is currently believed to be worth $5 million as his star continues to rise the worlds of sport and fashion.
WILLOW SMITH, 22: MUSICIAN AND MODEL
Famous parents: Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Willow is the only daughter of Hollywood superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Willow first ventured into the music business much like her mother in 2009 and released four albums to date
Willow is the only daughter of Hollywood superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Having grown up with one of the most bankable actors in the business as her father, Willow quickly made her acting debut alongside Will in 2007 action thriller, I Am Legend.
The following year, she voiced the character of young Gloria the hippo in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, alongside her mother as Gloria the hippo.
In 2009, she ventured into the music business much like her mother and released her successful single, Whip My Hair.
In 2011, Will announced he was planning to produce a contemporary remake of the Broadway musical Annie with Willow in the title role, but she was eventually deemed too old for the part.
After taking a break from music, Willow released her debut EP in 2014 before she dropped her first album in December that year.
On her birthday, October 31, 2017, she released her second album, The 1st, before releasing her third album, Willow, in 2019.
2021 saw the punk rock singer dropped her fourth album, Lately I Feel Everything.
Meanwhile, the outspoken child star has been co-hosting the Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk, with her mother and grandmother Adrienne Banfield-Norris since 2019.
To date, Willow is believed to have amassed a net worth of about $6 million.
LENI KLUM, 18: MODEL
Famous parent: Model Heidi Klum
Heidi has been doing her best to guide her teenage daughter after Leni made it clear she wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps
Carbon copy: The supermodel posed alongside her daughter as Leni made her debut for a Vogue Germany cover in 2020
Leni is the only daughter model Heidi Klum shares with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, but she was adopted by Heidi’s second husband, Seal, when the couple were married.
Her mother was on hand to help her make a splash for her modelling debut in 2020 as they posed together on the cover of Vogue Germany.
Heidi kissed her eldest child in the sweet snap for her child’s first cover before gushing about her pride for her ‘self-confident young woman’ on Instagram.
‘I’m so proud of you. And not because you chose this path. I know that no matter which way you go, it will be your own,’ she wrote in German on social media.
‘You always know exactly what you want and what you don’t want. You are not a mini-me. And I’m happy for you that you can now show who YOU are.’
Leni has recently fronted a campaign for shoe brand, Superga and posed with her mother for lingerie brand, Intimissimi
In April 2022, Heidi and Leni, 18, graced separate covers of Harper’s Bazaar Germany.
Leni has been open about the fact her career was helped by her mother as she told People: ‘It’s just a fact. My parents are famous. I did get help starting off, and I know that people would dream to start off with what I had.
‘I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to take what was gifted to me by my mom. But I am doing the work and putting in the time.’
She continued: ‘Now I’m working on my own, traveling alone, going to school. My mom and I just have the same love for the same thing.’
Leni is already believed to be worth more than $1 million as she hopes to reach the same career heights as her model mom.
LILA GRACE MOSS HACK, 20: MODEL
Famous parent: Model Kate Moss
Lila Grace has been following in her mother Kate’s footsteps as she carves out her own modelling career – pictured in 2022
Lila made her fashion debut alongside her mother on the cover of Vogue Italia in 2016
Lila is the daughter supermodel Kate Moss shares with her ex-partner, journalist Jefferson Hack.
Like many other children of the iconic nineties supermodels, Lila has chosen to pursue a career within the fashion industry.
Much like Cindy Crawford and Heidi Klum, Kate has been doing her part to ensure her daughter’s introduction to the masses makes an impact.
Kate has been making sure she is there to help guide her daughter through the challenges of modelling
In 2016, the pair posed together for Vogue magazine in a monochrome series.
The then 13-year-old proved she had managed to inherit her mother’s modelling ability in that images which saw Lila in her mom’s arms and featured a quote from Kate, 48, across the images that read: ‘It’s all about family.’
However, Lila previously revealed that her mother had been keen to deter her from following in her footsteps.
‘My mum always put me off [modelling],’ Lila told Vogue. ‘She was always like, “If you wanna do it, you can, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”‘
Despite her mother’s apprehension, Lila insisted that she doesn’t feel anxious at the thought that modelling success could bring the fame from which her parents tried to protect her.
She mused: ‘Not really. I’ve seen it first-hand, so I’m much more able to cope with it. I’ve had to say no to people. But I’m always nice!’
In 2022, Lila landed her own solo Vogue cover at 19, making a provocative style statement with British heritage brand Loewe in a vibrant shoot, conducted by photographer Steven Meisel.
Lila is starting to grow her own fortune with a net worth of $500,000, which is sure the rise as the years go by.
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