Matthew McConaughey is stepping into the ring of the "nepo baby" debate with his own insights. The Oscar-winning actor, who shares the screen with his 17-year-old son, Levi McConaughey, in the upcoming Apple TV+ drama *The Lost Bus*, has shared his candid thoughts on this contentious issue as his eldest child embarks on his Hollywood journey.
"There's a fine line between entitlement and shame," he remarked in an interview with *People*, published on September 24. "If you can look it square in the eye and handle it, and if things pan out, then you'll realize, [acting is] a hell of a roller coaster ride." The star of *How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days*—who is also a proud father to Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12, alongside his wife, Camila Alves—went on to elaborate that he's "tried to offer [Levi] some pointers" for navigating the treacherous waters of show business, all while encouraging him to forge his own path.
"It's tough to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and sift through the genuine opportunities from the nonsense. But over time, you've got to develop that sixth sense," Matthew, 55, explained. "It's crucial that he cultivates his own sense of self and identity. And [acting] will be a piece of that puzzle if he chooses to continue, a part of discovering who he is, but it can't be the entirety of his identity."
Of course, there's no escaping the fact that Levi's identity is inextricably linked to his famous surname. And while the teenager admitted that he's "just starting" to feel the weight of expectations stemming from his father's illustrious career, he also recognized his own agency in shaping his destiny. "As much as people might say, 'You got this because of your father or your mother,'" Levi told the outlet, "they can open the door, but then it's up to me to prove myself once I'm inside. That's on me."
Matthew's unwavering support for his son's career aspirations marks a significant departure from his earlier stance on the matter. In fact, the actor revealed that he was initially staunchly opposed to the idea of turning acting into a family affair until he became a father himself. "When I hit around 40, right about the time we welcomed Levi into our lives, I took a look around at all the incredible people I've met, the vast travels I've undertaken, and what an amazing, fulfilling, and enriching experience it's all been," he shared with *People*. "I thought to myself, 'Where did you get the idea that you didn't want any of your kids to pursue this? It would be an honor if they were able to.'"
