Maya Hawke, the multitalented actress and singer, the offspring of renowned stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, candidly revealed her journey to Hollywood's bright lights. She confessed, "I'm at ease with the fact that I might not deserve it all, yet I pursue it nonetheless." Embracing the moniker "nepo baby," the Stranger Things star acknowledged her privileged upbringing, having actors for parents.
When asked if she felt worthy of the success she's garnered in the industry, Hawke reflected, "'Deserves' is a loaded term. There are countless individuals deserving of such a life yet lacking the means. However, I'm content with the idea that I might not deserve it, yet strive for it regardless. And I realize that my absence wouldn't benefit anyone. At the outset, I saw two avenues: change my name, undergo plastic surgery, and compete in open casting calls."
Hawke confessed she's "comfortable" with opting for the latter path and embracing her familial privilege, even if it invites mockery. She added, "It's okay to be poked fun at when you're standing on a pedestal. It's a fortunate place to be." The Do Revenge actress emphasized, "My bonds with my parents are genuine and positive, surpassing any criticism that might arise."
Elsewhere in the interview, Hawke reminisced about her 2019 comments to The Hollywood Reporter regarding her role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, one of her early milestones. She recounted, "I secured an audition for the project through conventional means, with the help of my agents. I auditioned in my bedroom, accompanied by my father. We sent the tape to Quentin, and I was called back for a second round."
Hawke later faced ridicule for her remarks, which hinted that she landed the role solely based on merit. Now, she clarifies, acknowledging the role of nepotism. "I've been mercilessly mocked for that snippet where I said, on the red carpet, that I auditioned," the Maestro actress confessed. "I never intended to imply that nepotism wasn't a factor — I fully believe it was."
The discourse surrounding "nepo babies" has gained momentum in recent years, particularly following a 2022 New York Magazine article that delved into the unseen network of familial ties that often grant celebrity offspring an edge in the industry. Numerous other celebrities have spoken out on this matter, including Lily Allen, the daughter of British actor Keith Allen. On her Miss Me podcast last month, she observed, "Nepo babies, I think it's similar to the term 'Karen,' in a sense, where it's used to describe women occupying space, and we'd prefer they didn't, that they should just go away." She added, "For instance, my brother [Alfie Allen] doesn't get called a nepo baby, yet I do."
