The “nepo baby” debate has once again ignited on social media after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s eldest daughter, North West, made her stage debut in “The Lion King 30th Anniversary — A Live-to-Film Concert Event” at the Hollywood Bowl.
Ten-year-old North performed alongside renowned actors Jeremy Irons, Billy Eichner, and Jennifer Hudson, wearing a fuzzy costume designed by ERL. However, recordings of her performance posted on social media have drawn significant backlash from viewers who argued that North appeared unprepared for such a prominent role.
Among the critics were actor Rosie O’Donnell and singer and screenwriter Nick Atkinson, who expressed their concerns. Some pointed out the irony that the song North performed, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” can be seen as an ode to nepotism.
Public outrage towards a wealthy child enjoying the perks of their privileged status is not unexpected. However, these discussions often misdirect personal blame in ways that are neither constructive nor fair.
It’s natural for any parent, regardless of their wealth, to want the best for their child. The desire to provide ample opportunities is inherent, making nepotism somewhat inevitable. This is where societal safeguards should come into play. Privileged parents exploiting their status to bend rules, exploit loopholes, or circumvent fair processes for their children should not be excused, even if their intentions are relatable.
Scandals like manipulating college admissions for already privileged children, appointing unqualified offspring to government roles, or helping an unprepared child secure a leading role over more talented peers are all examples of such misconduct. These actions not only skew fairness but also potentially subject the child to undue public scrutiny.
Studies indicate that excessive parental pressure can harm a child’s mental health, leading to negative self-talk, body image issues, academic underperformance, and social withdrawal. While it’s possible that North wanted to perform, it’s also crucial that her parents prepared her for the possible negative aspects of fame, especially given the relentless nature of social media.
Societal fascination with the rich and famous further encourages wealthy parents to misuse their influence. Our culture’s obsession with celebrity children’s milestones fuels this behavior. Headlines like “Every Time We Applauded North West’s Sass” and “North West Looks Identical to Kim Kardashian in Their Latest Set of Twinning Photos” demonstrate this infatuation.
It’s vital to remember that parental influence and privilege come in many forms. Private school students, for instance, are more likely to gain admission to top colleges, yet the average cost of private schooling is beyond the reach of many families. Similarly, the prominence of white mom influencers contrasts starkly with the lack of support for Black, brown, and lower-income mothers.
As a parent, I understand the urge to remove any obstacles from my child’s path. As someone from a non-elite background in the media industry, I empathize with those angered by the advantages freely given to children like North West.
To create equal opportunities for all children—whether they are theater kids, low-income kids, athletic kids, science kids, LGBTQ+ kids, kids with disabilities, rural kids, or inner-city kids—we must focus less on criticizing parents who exploit the current system and more on changing that system to ensure fairness for all.
