Liev Schreiber Defends Daughter Kai Against 'Nepo Baby' Critics at Paris Fashion Show

Additionally, Taylor, who is Kai’s stepmother, was present to offer encouragement. The youngster disclosed that the 32-year-old accompanied him in Paris, as evidenced by several photos from the city of love posted on social media.

How did actress Naomi Watts, star of Mulholland Drive and now wife to Billy Crudup, respond to her significant career achievement? She expressed her joy by posting highlights of her son Kai’s runway moments along with the message, “Look at my Maison Valentino darling! I’m squealing with pride. I love you, Kai.

Kai Schreiber, the actress from Mulholland Drive who is also Naomi’s son’s mother (Sasha Schreiber), received praise from Naomi on her Instagram post dated March 9. Alongside pictures of Kai at a show, she wrote, “That’s my Maison Valentino baby! I’m bursting with pride. Thanks @kaischreiberrr.

Liev Schreiber isn’t going to let anyone stand in the way of his daughter’s dreams.

Kai Schreiber, the youngest child of actor Ray Donovan and his ex-partner Naomi Watts, stepped onto the runway for the first time at Alessandro Michele’s Valentino fall 2025 fashion show in Paris on March 9. However, some people online criticized the 16-year-old as a “nepo baby.” Yet, Liev Schreiber, her father, swiftly defended her against these comments.

The 57-year-old said during his interview with TMZ, posted on March 12: “I have little concern for those who criticize me. Let me phrase it like this: If you’re a professional actor and your child aspires to make their mark in the world, wouldn’t you want them to choose their own path, not the one you took?

He added, “Regardless of her choices, it’s her life to live as she pleases. I am incredibly proud of her, and I believe she excelled in the performance on the show.

Absolutely, it’s not just on this occasion that Liev, who is Sasha Schreiber’s father (17 years old) and Hazel’s dad as well (18 months old, with wife Taylor Neisen), has expressed his pride about Kai’s runway debut. In fact, following the show, he shared a touching introduction with his followers.

Next to a photo of his daughter strutting down the runway in a mini dress featuring a snakeskin print and brown-purple feather collar, sheer white tights, white sandals, a nude headpiece, and black-blue sunglasses, the Ray Donovan star expressed on Instagram, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the extraordinary @kaischreiberr!

Kai’s stepmother, Taylor, was present to offer encouragement. In a collection of posts from Paris on social media, Kai disclosed that the 32-year-old accompanied him in the city of love.

Reflecting on my recent professional achievement, as a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d put it this way: When my major career milestone unfolded, none other than Mulholland Drive’s actress – now wife to the talented Billy Crudup – couldn’t contain her joy. She proudly showcased highlights from Kai’s runway strut, accompanied by a heartfelt message: “That’s my Maison Valentino boy! I’m squealing with pride. A big thank you to Kai and to everyone who made this possible.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m constantly delving into various aspects of the entertainment industry, and one topic that has been generating quite a buzz lately is nepotism. It’s fascinating to observe how different celebrities approach this subject, and I’d like to share some insights with you. Here’s what more stars have had to say on the matter.

(Note: This sentence maintains the original idea while rephrasing in a more conversational and personal tone.)

Initially, I found it extremely frustrating and dull, as she expressed during her appearance on the February 7, 2024 episode of Today, regarding the ongoing “Nepo Baby” controversy. (Daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson)

In a playful manner, the actress who played in “Fifty Shades of Grey” commented on the issue by saying, “I couldn’t resist the chance to poke fun at it,” alluding to an “SNL” skit that satirized the controversy she participated in during her hosting stint on the show last month.

Let’s not forget that this discussion has been ongoing for some time now. It’s worth noting that Emma has consistently challenged the idea that her connection as Julia Roberts’ niece and Eric Roberts’ daughter significantly contributed to her career success.

Many individuals believe that, but in 2011, the actress from Scream 4 stated to PopEater that this notion is preposterous. They discuss nepotism, which she finds absurd given her extensive audition experiences and failure to secure roles. Furthermore, she points out, one person can’t easily provide you with multiple opportunities; even if they can help you land one part, it’s unlikely they could consistently deliver 10 parts.

Goldie Hawn‘s daughter doesn’t bother to get the knives out when talk turns to nepotism.

Speaking with The Independent in December 2022, Kate (raised by Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn’s longtime partner) expressed that labels don’t matter much to her. She added, “In our family, we’re a storytelling bunch. It runs deep within us. Whatever people may call it, it won’t alter the fact that it’s part of who we are.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but echo the words of this remarkable woman who’s nurtured not one, not two, but three extraordinary individuals – Ryder and Bingham (with Chris Robinson and Matthew Bellamy, respectively) and Rani (with Danny Fujikawa). In her unique way, she candidly shared, “I believe there are other realms where this phenomenon is more prevalent. Perhaps the modeling world? I notice it in the business sphere a lot more than I see it in Hollywood. There have been instances when I find myself in business meetings and think, ‘Hold on, whose offspring is this? This person seems to know nothing!’

Ultimately, she added, “If you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter.”

Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, shared with Elle magazine in a January 2023 article that she acknowledges the advantage she has. She expressed gratitude for having a wealth of knowledge at her disposal and someone to offer wise guidance, which she feels incredibly fortunate to have.

However, when discussing filmmaking, the actress from Bottoms stated, “An artist won’t compromise their creative vision for a child’s sake. Art isn’t produced that way, and my focus lies in artistic endeavors.

Furthermore, she emphasized, “People don’t enjoy collaborating with someone who’s bothersome and difficult to work with, and unkind. Although nepotism exists, I believe if it were as widespread as often portrayed, we would encounter it much more frequently.

Carving out her own cinematic universe, Elizabeth is proof that, sometimes, it just takes one.

As a young girl of 10, Mary-Kate Olsen’s sister (who once pondered using Elizabeth Chase as her professional name) expressed that she intuitively grasped the concept of nepotism. In an interview with Glamour UK in 2021, she admitted, “I may not have known the term then, but I felt a sense of unease about not earning something on my own merit at a very tender age. This discomfort stemmed from my personal insecurities, even as a 10-year-old.

The child of long-time entertainers Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller thinks that having one foot in the door can take you only so far.

In response to allegations of nepotism regarding Sean Penn’s son Hopper being cast in a short film directed by Steven Spielberg’s daughter Destry and written by Stephen King’s son Owen, Ben Stiller tweeted in 2021: “Based on my personal experience and not knowing any of them, I would wager that they’ve all encountered challenges. These challenges might be different for those without connections to the industry. As we all know, Hollywood can be tough, and at its core, it’s a system that rewards merit.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: In my view, I’ve often observed that Hollywood isn’t always a level playing field. It favors some individuals over others for various reasons. However, I firmly believe that those without genuine talent or merit can’t sustain their success if they’re given opportunities based on connections or popularity rather than skill.

In February 2023, even though Ben had already voiced his opinion earlier, the label of being a “nepo baby” was still applied to him by Steve Martin during promotional trailers for their Pepsi Super Bowl commercials.

In a conversation with W after being directed by Sean Penn in the 2021 drama “Flag Day”, Dylan expressed feeling disappointed about landing the role because someone else had initially gotten it. However, she also mentioned that as an actress, she has spent a long time auditioning and facing rejections throughout her career.

About the controversy surrounding her brother acting in a short film directed by Steven Spielberg’s daughter, Dylan stated emphatically, “The entertainment industry is all about connections. It’s always about who you know, regardless of whether you are the son of Sean Penn.

In an interview with TopMob News in February, Hopper, who first appeared on the big screen in Sean’s movie “The Last Face,” shared that the discussions surrounding nepotism didn’t particularly influence him.

He simply said, “If you enjoy it, that’s fantastic. If not, no worries,” he shared after wrapping up the filming of Devil’s Peak alongside his mother, Robin Wright. “If people suspect nepotism, I couldn’t care less. I will always approach my work with the same level of professionalism as everyone else, and I won’t compromise my performance just because I’m working with my dad or mom.

Working alongside his father posed the same “great nightmare” for Hopper that it did for all other actors not connected to the director.

In simpler terms, just like other actors not related to the director, working with his father was a big problem or challenge for Hopper.

In any project, he pointed out, “if I made a mistake on the first day of the film, I would be let go, just as anyone else. If I were bad at it, I would remain bad. And unfortunately, I have been less than exceptional.

In an interview with Elle in February 2022, the actor from High Fidelity explained that people often presume he landed a job due to his famous parents, Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz.

Man, let me tell you, it wasn’t a walk in the park, but boy, did I hit the jackpot! Landing an agent came surprisingly smooth for me. Can’t deny that it opened doors for me, but remember, it wasn’t just luck. I was always performing for my grandparents, even as a kid. It wasn’t about who I was related to; it was all about the passion burning inside of me.

Following an explosion, the actress shared with GQ several months afterward that it was quite ordinary for individuals to be involved in their own family businesses. She also pointed out that surnames originated from this practice; if your family was known as the Smiths, you were likely a blacksmith yourself.

In a November 2022 interview with Elle, the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis expressed that people often come into situations with pre-existing notions about them or their journey, stating, “I can confirm that nothing will secure you a role other than being perfectly suited for it.

Certainly, The Idol celebrity’s remark about the current popular issue sparked a flurry of additional comments in response.

In a chat with i-D some months ago, Lily-Rose shared, “I’ve become more cautious about these discussions now.” She reflected, “My parents made every effort to provide me with the most ‘ordinary upbringing’ they could. Of course, it wasn’t an ordinary childhood for anyone. I’m fully conscious that my childhood was not like everyone else’s.

In response to Lily-Rose’s discussion, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin’s daughter believes that children of famous people will ultimately succeed or fail based on their individual efforts. However, their initial success often comes as a result of a significant push in the right direction.

In a TikTok post from November 2022, Ireland expressed gratitude to her parents by saying, “I wouldn’t be here or able to do what I can do without them, and I believe it’s a mistake to underestimate their importance.

It might seem like you either possess talent, ability, or neither, but life can be less complicated and more relatable if you simply acknowledge your strengths and the reasons behind them.

In her interview with Hailey Bieber on ‘Who’s in My Bathroom?’ in July 2022, the daughter of Blythe Danner and the late Bruce Paltrow expressed that being a child of well-known parents gives you access others don’t have. She emphasized that this uneven starting point means you often need to work harder and strive for excellence to make up for the advantage you initially received.

In the 1989 TV film titled “High,” Bruce served as director and guided Gwyneth through her first acting role. Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg added a magical touch to it by selecting his 14-year-old goddaughter for the part in the 1991 fantasy movie “Hook.

In October 2023, Gwyneth spoke to Bustle about the ongoing controversy surrounding the term ‘nepo baby’, referring to children of famous people. She described the term as somewhat unflattering. This conversation took place prior to the heated debate that followed.

Raised by a famous actor who is regarded as a national treasure, the actress and activist often felt that her upbringing was significantly different from what most people experience.

In an interview with Harvard Business Review in 2018, I shared a personal revelation from my childhood: At the tender age of 10, our family relocated to the East Coast. It was then that I came to understand, through the way I was treated, that there was something unique about me. This realization made me somewhat self-conscious. There were individuals who sought friendship due to my father being Henry Fonda; however, there were others who didn’t care for me because of the same reason. It was a complex experience, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.

Upon starting my acting career,” the two-time Academy Award winner explained, “having a famous father in the film industry definitely opened some doors for me – that much is clear. But I never wanted to rely on that connection alone, so I put in extra effort. Rather than attending one acting class per week, I immersed myself in four, ensuring no one could label me as a casual enthusiast.

A famous actor from Jurassic World, who started out as “Redheaded Audience Girl” in his father Ron Howard’s movie Parenthood, expressed to The Daily Beast in 2020 that it was an incredible blessing to have a parent working in an industry he was passionate about and eventually joined. He emphasized that while it’s wonderful for that person to achieve their own success, the greatest privilege of all was his father’s unwavering support, encouragement, and respect towards him from the very beginning.

Of course, Bryce went on to explain, “doubts might surface or you may overhear someone saying something like, ‘She only achieved it due to reasons X, Y, or Z,’ but that’s quite insignificant.

Translated: Ethan, who has Maya with ex-wife Uma Thurman, openly admitted to Variety in September that he was thrilled to direct his daughter in Wildcat, and he’s unapologetic about it. In simpler terms, he’s a proud father using his connections to support his child’s career.

In the movie, Maya (who portrays Flannery O’Connor) admitted, “There were instances of doubt during filming. However, the internet lacks subtleties. My father has been a significant mentor for me, and we aim to collaborate further. We enjoy spending time together.

25-year-old Maya had earlier mentioned that she could only advance as far as being her parents’ dependent. In a conversation with People in 2021, she expressed that if she didn’t perform well, she might be removed from the royal family’s jurisdiction. She accepted this as fair and stated that she would do her best to avoid disappointing them.

Just prior to receiving her first Oscar for her supporting role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, the daughter of the late screen icons Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh found humor in making a jest about the current trend or spirit of the times.

In a speech during her SAG Award acceptance in February 2023, Jamie Lee acknowledged that people might assume her success was due to family connections since her husband, Christopher Guest, is also an actor. However, she emphasized that at the age of 64, this recognition was simply astounding, not the result of nepotism.

In his interview on Armchair Expert in 2018, Colin shared that at the beginning, he had an innocent and affectionate view of things, assuming it wouldn’t be such a big deal and people would understand he was his own person, not just Tom Hanks’ kid. However, he learned that this assumption didn’t hold true.

The 46-year-old, who made his film debut as “Male Page” in his father’s 1996 directorial debut That Thing You Do!, expressed on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast in October 2022 that he owes his decision to pursue acting solely to his father’s advice.

Tom suggested, “If you aren’t truly committed to this, think of another option, as sticking with it may lead to misery.

Speaking from personal experience, I consider the entertainment industry as nothing more than a family endeavor for me. Being a father to Colin and Elizabeth (my children with my late ex-wife Samantha Lewes), as well as Chet and Truman (with my current spouse Rita Wilson), it seems that show business has been an integral part of our family dynamics.

In an interview with Reuters in January 2023, Tom shared that “This is something we’ve always been engaged in.” He added, “It’s the environment our children have grown up in. We have four kids, and they all possess a creative flair, each of them immersed in different forms of storytelling.

In addition, it wasn’t unexpected for director Marc Forster to choose Truman to portray Tom’s younger self in “A Man Called Otto”. However, as the Oscar winner shared with ET at the film premiere, “Ultimately, the choice lies with the actor. They need to show up on set and deliver their lines honestly. It’s all about whether they can do it or not, and that decision is entirely theirs.

A scion of one of the most storied Hollywood dynasties, Drew couldn’t escape her famous last name.

Although being the granddaughter of screen legend John Barrymore gave her some influence, the actress from Never Been Kissed expressed this on her talk show in January 2023: “If you’re from a family of lawyers, and someone says, ‘Her dad runs the firm,’ it’s like saying ‘Well, she passed the bar exam and made it here on her own.’ So I want us to celebrate rather than be catty about it.

Heidi Klum’s oldest child is grateful for being in good health, largely due to her supermodel parents Seal. However, it’s ultimately her decision to remain there.

19-year-old Leni shared with People magazine in October 2022 that it’s simply true: her parents are well-known figures. She acknowledges receiving assistance at the start of her journey, something many would envy. However, she emphasizes her own efforts and dedication. Nowadays, she’s independently traveling, attending school, and pursuing her interests – just like her mom, they share a common passion.

Judd Apatow’s and Leslie Mann’s eldest daughter found the “nepotism baby” label disappointing, but she was making an effort to remain unfazed by it.

In response to being asked about her journey, the star of Euphoria stated to Net-a-Porter for an article in September 2022: “Many individuals who find themselves in similar circumstances have demonstrated their abilities throughout the years, so I must continue and produce quality work. At this point in my career, there isn’t much to present yet, but I hope that someday I will look back on my accomplishments with great satisfaction.

In a tweet posted in December 2022, Allen assertively stated, “It’s the ‘nepo babies’ – those working in law firms, banking institutions, and politics – who you should be concerned about, when it comes to genuine world impacts and depriving others of chances. However, that’s not my concern.

In reaction to the predictable criticism that pointed out the singer’s family ties with actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, who are her parents, Lily graciously agreed that the discussion about TikTok promoting entertainers due to nepotism was indeed a relevant one.

She expressed that it’s undeniable there’s a significant shortage of diversity in the industry, considering class and race. This situation negatively impacts everyone involved…I believe that while nepotism is being criticized, we should also discuss the larger issue of societal wealth disparity, and the absence of initiatives aimed at providing opportunities and resources.

In her opinion, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about if your parents are successful individuals like Sen. John McCain and Cindy McCain. However, one should take pride and acknowledge their accomplishments.

She suggested to her peers, often referred to as ‘Nepo babies,’ to acknowledge the advantages their family name has provided and make use of them. However, she emphasized on Instagram Stories in December 2022 that while talent and determination are important factors, it’s not fair to act like having famous parents is a justifiable burden. She went on to say that minimizing this advantage by suggesting others have it easy comes across as arrogant and insensitive.

Is there more to be said from Stephen Baldwin’s daughter, who is also the niece of Alec, Billy, and Daniel Baldwin, as suggested by her “Nepo Baby” t-shirt worn in January 2023?

Though she did.

Speaking as a lifestyle expert, let me rephrase it for you: “In June, when I appeared on ‘The Circuit With Emily Chang’, I made a deliberate choice to express my thoughts in a very straightforward manner. I wanted to ensure my perspective was clear and distinct from the general consensus.” As for being labeled a ‘nepo baby’, I openly acknowledge this label. I proudly claim it, as it’s part of who I am now.

In February 2023, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s youngest daughter paid tribute to her older sisters, Rumer Willis and Scout Willis, by acknowledging their fashionable style as children of Hollywood celebrities.

As an overjoyed mom, I couldn’t help but gush to Glamour about my incredible son, Jack Quaid. You see, he possesses a gift that leaves me in awe, a talent so profound it makes me feel like a mere novice compared to him.

Meg commented, “His talent, hard work, and sensitivity are often overlooked due to the nepotism debate. It’s important to consider these aspects as well.

Jack is certainly aware of the assumptions that are made about the children of actors.

In an interview with Thrillist back in 2022, the actor from ‘The Boys’ remarked, “I anticipated that people would frequently remark, ‘Oh, I know how he landed that job,'” but it doesn’t matter. I’m okay with them continuing to say so. However, as long as I understand my own path to success, that’s all that truly matters to me.

Now 31, Jack decided long ago there was no point trying to hide his parentage.

In an interview on Allegedly with Matthew Cole Weiss in 2016, he stated, “I don’t aim to avoid it, but rather, I’m a great admirer of their talent.” Recognizing that he couldn’t audition until he turned 18, Jack further explained, “Given non-actor parents, I would still be thrilled to have this role.

2025-03-13 21:19

Liev Schreiber Defends Daughter Kai Against ‘Nepo Baby’ Critics at Paris Fashion Show

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