Lily-Rose Depp, one of the internet’s favorite cool girls, has become a sensation over the past decade. Her French-speaking skills, signature pout and effortless style have made her an icon for Pinterest-loving girls everywhere. However, her true talent is what is going to help her keep thriving within the realm of film and fashion. 

Daughter of acting legend Johnny Depp and French singer and model Vanessa Paradis, Depp was born into the entertainment industry. Her first significant role was in “The Dancer,” where she portrayed legendary dancer Isadora Duncan. Since then, she can be seen in “The King,” “Wolf,” and “The Idol,” among other projects. Depp has also made an impact in the fashion industry, as she was handpicked by Karl Lagerfeld himself to be a Chanel ambassador at the age of 16. 

In fact, Depp’s personal aesthetic has helped her connect to a wider fanbase of teenage girls, and has gotten her the recognition she deserves. Many fans, including myself, were introduced to Depp on social media due to her glowy makeup looks, y2k-inspired outfits and past relationship with the ever-beloved Timothée Chalamet. While this it-girl factor has made her relevant to much of Gen Z, it has also led people to question her credibility in the acting world up until very recently. 

However, Depp’s career has taken on a whole new level with her performance in 2024’s gothic horror film “Nosferatu.” Her performance alongside Bill Skarsgård was emotional and unforgettable, and proved that Depp has what it takes to become one of the actresses for Gen Z.  

As much acclaim Lily-Rose Depp has received for her achievements within the entertainment industry, she has received backlash from those who see her as undeserving of the applause. Just like many other young stars who have a famous parent, the label “nepo-baby” has been attached to her.

This label often has a negative connotation. When we think nepo-baby, we tend to think of someone who gets whatever they want without trying, who never has to deal with competition and who isn’t actually talented. Although talent is not necessarily genetic, many children of stars are aware of the resources they have, and do not want to be seen as lazy or unappreciative of their lives.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Depp opened up about her insecurities regarding her career, saying, “I feel like people have been ready to see me fail, in a way, since I was a kid. That has made me only want to work harder and prove people wrong. Not in a vindictive way at all, but just in a sense of, like, fuel to my fire. I do want to prove that I’m a hard worker and I’m not here for anything else but to work hard.” 

While Depp has established her ground as an actress and has many years of success ahead of her, there is a newer generation of nepo-babies just now arriving on the scene. Romy Mars, daughter of filmmaker Sofia Coppola, is just one of these teens who are beginning their paths in the entertainment world as well as beginning adulthood. 

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Mars discussed the privilege she has of being born into a Hollywood family. She says, “I think about nepotism a lot, like more than I should. It’s true there’s so many talented people, more talented than me. I get the opportunity to record in a studio and have access to scripts and stuff because of my family. I can’t forget that. I always try to think about how lucky I am to get the opportunities that I get, and not just [be] like, ‘Well, this is my life.’” As an upcoming musician, Mars is aware of the advantages she has, and she is grateful for them. 

As Lily-Rose Depp has now solidified her place in the spotlight, it is clear that her talent and drive have brought her to a point where the label of “nepo-baby” doesn’t affect her. In fact, Depp’s pure talent will take her wherever she chooses to go with her career. 

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