Victoria Beckham would like people to go easier on the children of public figures like herself.
The former Spice Girl addressed the hot topic of “nepotism babies” while speaking to the U.K. outlet The Sun last week to promote her Netflix documentary series, “Victoria Beckham.”
At one point in the interview, Beckham spoke about her 20-year-old son, Cruz Beckham, who wants to follow in her footsteps by carving out a career in the music industry.
“He taught himself to play about seven instruments. He writes his own songs, he’s put a band together,” she told the outlet. “He’s properly done it from the grass roots up.”
But when journalist Clemmie Moodie suggested Cruz Beckham was “not a traditional nepo baby,” his mother replied, “But he is a nepo.”
Victoria Beckham, second from right, with son Cruz Beckham, daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz Beckham and son Brooklyn Peltz Beckham.
Frazer Harrison via Getty Images
“I mean, I feel sorry for these kids that are considered nepo babies,” she explained. “The kids are simply the kids of their parents. It’s not their fault. Give them a chance. What matters is that people are good and kind. It is fine to be ambitious, but it is more important to be kind.”
Alluding to Cruz Beckham specifically, she added: “Let the music speak for itself before you judge.”
Victoria Beckham has been married to British soccer legend David Beckham since 1999. In addition to Cruz, the couple share sons Brooklyn, 26, and Romeo, 23, and daughter Harper, 14.
The term “nepotism babies,” or “nepo babies,” refers to children of actors, singers and other public figures whose professional success, typically in the realm of show business, is perceived to be a byproduct of having famous and wealthy parents.
David and Victoria Beckham have been married since 1999 and share four children.
Karwai Tang via Getty Images
Since New York Magazine ran a cover story on the subject in 2022, the topic has drawn some memorable responses from a host of celebrity progeny, including actors Maude Apatow, the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, and Ben Platt, whose father is film, television and theater producer Marc Platt.
TruthHas NoBias
Your SupportFuelsOur Mission
Your SupportFuelsOur Mission
We Won’t Back Down
As more major networks align with those in power, the space for fearless journalism is shrinking. By becoming a member, you support a newsroom that asks the tough questions, no matter who’s in charge.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
A number of famous parents, including “Uncut Gems” actor Julia Fox, have encouraged their kids to embrace the label for their own benefit.
Released on Netflix last week, “Victoria Beckham” chronicles its subject’s rise from insecure teen to Posh Spice of the Spice Girls to global fashion and beauty entrepreneur.
Reviews have been mixed. While Variety called the documentary a “thoughtful portrait of a woman reclaiming her image,” The Guardian deemed it “meticulously constructed … but extremely boring.”