Gracie Abrams, one of today’s biggest indie-pop stars, has become a prominent figure in the revolution of the music industry. From releasing her debut single “Mean it” in 2019 to her most recent album “The Secret of Us” on June 27, 2024, Abrams has taken the music industry by storm. While her success is primarily due to her unique voice and compelling storytelling, it’s hard not to wonder–why does her name sound familiar?
To refer to the unfair use of influence due to the popularity of family members or friends, the word “nepotism” has emerged all over the internet. Nepotism is prevalent in Hollywood, however, it can be difficult to determine what Hollywood children are actually using their families’ names for power, and who simply wants to pave their own path in the world. Although the name “Abrams” has power in the film industry, it is clear that Gracie has other plans that don’t necessarily involve the world of space and sci-fi films.
Abrams was born on Sept.7, 1999, in Los Angeles, California. Her father J.J. Abrams is a renowned film producer who helped curate popular science fiction series such as “Star Trek” and “Star Wars.” Her mother, Katie McGrath, is a well-known actress in the industry, recognized for her roles in “Merlin” and “Jurassic World.” Coming from a famous family in Los Angeles, it’s no surprise she got a boost in the industry. However, while it may seem easy to attribute all of her success to her family, Abrams’ unique singing style and breathy voice have no doubt made her stand out alone.
Since touring with popstar Taylor Swift on “The Eras Tour,” Abrams has grown beyond the popularity of her last name. She was one of the top finalists for “Best New Artist” at the 2024 VMA Awards, “Best New Artist” at the 2024 Grammys and is now currently on her United States leg of her personal, and very successful, “The Secret of Us Tour.”
While recognizing her name carries some weight to the success of her career, it doesn’t stop her from pursuing what she really loves. “Nepo-baby,” a term recognized by New York magazine in December of 2022, has been popularly associated with children of industry giants. In an article for Rolling Stone, Gracie Abrams discusses how she has dealt with being called a “nepo-baby”: “Obviously we can’t control where we are born into, and there are a million visible and even more invisible advantages to having family members who are in any entertainment industry,” she stated. “I know how hard I work, and I know how separate I’ve kept [my parents] from every conversation about anything careerwise, but of course you can understand what it looks like from the outside.”
Although some of Gracie Abrams’ success is due to the privileges she was granted at birth, her transparency gives a new perspective on how the public should choose which artists or influencers to uplift and admire. It’s evident that many stars get opportunities because of their background, but the persuasion of the public is truly what ends up making the most impact in the end.
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