AIBU regarding celebrity children and nepotism?

[Rhine]

Ive just read on the DM online that Gordon Ramsey's 13 year old daughter is getting her own cookery show again. Having seen said child on The One Show with her father earlier this year I thought she seemed obnoxious and bratty and can't imagine why anyone would want to watch anything hosted by her, but there you go I suppose it's what happens when you have a famous daddy (or mummy).

It's the same with the Beckham children getting all of these high profile modelling gigs. Are they particuarly good looking children? Not in my opinion, not ugly by any means but not expetional to look at either. Its just because of who they are.

It's all over the industry, celeb kids getting gigs because of eho their parents are. There are probably thousands of kids out there who are far more talented, able and more attractive but aren't gettting a look in because they don't have the connections.

It doesn't seem fair to me.

[Sunsoo]

People like Kelly Osbourne annoy me especially. She has tried just about every field of the media, and failed in every one, yet she is still working!

[mellowheart]

There are a few models who who I think wouldn't have got where they are without the famous parents. Georgia Jagger comes to mind, she's not even of the required height for models. No way would she be a model if it wasn't for her parents. That Cara Dev thingy, her father owns the Harrods site, not a celeb as such but very influential. Rod Stewart's daughter another.

[emotionsecho]

I'm always a bit wary when models suddenly decide to go into acting, I probably judge their ability to act far more than I would someone who wasn't already a success in another field, usually I find them wanting and that may be harsh.

[Marynary]

There is a lot of nepotism but with perhaps the exception of modelling I don't think they really get anywhere unless they are reasonably good at the job.

[SheGotAllDaMoves]

I agree that there aren't quotas and that many people in the entertainment industry make their place, as opposed to a place coming up IYSWIM.

[EddieStobbart]

I'd really rather the profile of those who worked for it was elevated, how else do you encourage aspiration?

[EddieStobbart]

Banging on about the BBC again - how many kids cooking shows so they do? I'm not aware of more than one and the position is filled by a celeb's offspring. So if DD said to me "I want to a job like her" (she won't, her idea of hell) then what should my careers advice be? "Well, you don't have famous parents dear, so how about a little stint on Big Brother or TOWIE when you're a bit bigger and if you're outrageous enough you'll get a manager who can get you a few spin offs".

[Stripeysocksarecool]

The way to make sure that children of "celebrities" don't get the acting / modelling jobs is to kill the cult of celebrity. If no one paid any attention to the antics of, for example, the Beckhams no one would want to employ their kids.

being in thrall to celebrities and their every utterance has created the very thing that posters are now complaining about.

[TalkinPeace]

Just because Random Celeb Offspring has made it, doesn't mean there's one less place for an unknown.
Oh yes it does.
The meejah will fill their posts with those they know rather than the untried and untested.

[TheDowagerCuntess]

I don't know why people keeping saying otherwise talented - but unconnected - people miss out.

This isn't the X-Factor, with just one winner.

There are no quotas for success in fashion, modelling, music, TV. Come one, come all - if you've got it, you've got it.

Just because Random Celeb Offspring has made it, doesn't mean there's one less place for an unknown.

[Anotheronebitthedust]

What really annoys me is the way that so many of the children never acknowledge the leg-up their famous parents have given them. They get immediately defensive if asked in interviews and say how hard they've worked to get where they are - that could very well be true, but one doesn't negate the other. Plenty of others work just as hard/harder but without the family connections get nowhere. Worse of all are those who have the cheek to say it has actually worked against them 'I've had to work much harder to be recognised as my own person and not just [...]'s son/daughter'

Those that acknowledge 'Yes, I've been incredibly lucky to have a parent in the industry, but now I want to really work hard and make a name for myself,' I think fair enough, but the majority don't seem to think like that.

Mind you I think the same about people who flitter around trying acting/modelling/singing/DJing, etc. How many people are actually top-level quality at all of those things? But so many of them think that, once they are famous for one thing, they can just pick and choose whatever other field they want to go into next, despite any actual talent/formal training.

[EddieStobbart]

And what's with the "life isn't fair" posts? No it isn't and that's why it's worth discussing. I actually have no problem with paying the Beckham kids squillions to do a bit of modelling - private company gets loads of publicity in return, that's how the market works. The BBC is supposed to be above all that and presenting this show is an opportunity for a talented kid. If she went through the same audition as lots of others and won the role then good on her, otherwise - a bit crap.

[EddieStobbart]

This has all gone a bit weird. Kids audition for stuff all the time - as I said up thread, I only hope it was the case here and the BBC didn't use some of my license fee to create a star vehicle for a celebrity's young daughter. I have nothing against her, I'm sure she's a lovely kid but frankly I'd rather if they were getting anyone to do this, aimed at this market, give Zoella a shout - at least she's earned her stripes.

[NellysKnickers]

Life isn't fair. As adults we all know that. Get over it.

[mellowheart]

So I'm "paranoid and envious" and you've worked this out from a couple of posts I've put up in response to a thread about the unfairness of celebs getting jobs because of their parents. Wow. Well we can all form opinions then can't we, I think you're rather rude and nasty. It's just the way your posts have struck me.

[SheGotAllDaMoves]

Obviously there is some nepotism at play.

But also, I suspect talents run in families and those talents will be well nurtured by parents already successful in that field.

[Stripeysocksarecool]

Paranoid as we'll as envious mellow . I'm not having a go at you at all. it was just that your post struck me as particularly out there with its hyperbolic "makes me sick" coment

[Snowfilledsky]

I was a bit at GR's daughter getting a show. Same as Steve Irwin's daughter doing 'Dancing with the Stars'.

No more so than seeing the Beckham child in those awful macs though.

[mellowheart]

Why are you having a go at my posts anyway, the thread is all about what I'm on about but I didn't start it?

[mellowheart]

Sorry stripey totally don't agree, they don't need to trawl the country, plenty of youngsters apply to get roles on TV. These ordinary people do come to them. Unfortunately they'd sooner use someone (in many cases) who has a famous name. It's all wrong IMO but you're entitled to yours of course.

[jonicomelately]

I regularly visit a media organisation and two of the junior people there, who have jobs most young people would give their right arms for, are related to people who are household names.
I've seen the Gordon Ramsey daughter show and to be honest I wasn't impressed. What were the BBC thinking? She has a fabulously wealthy lifestyle which is showcased and I feel for all those poor kids watching at home. The BBC are supposed to entertain and educate and I fail to see how they do either with this programme. The girl is nice enough but I also really struggled to understand what she was saying half the time.

[Stripeysocksarecool]

"mellow who do you think the media should be chucking money at instead?
Children who are just as or more talented than Gordan Ramseys daughter. I don't know any other 12 year old that gets their own show. I should imagine every school in the country has more talented. I'm aware why they want someone connected to a famous name but it still makes me sick."

mellow so how are all these talented children going to come to the attention of TV companies? Do you expect them to constantly trawl the country looking for talent rather than to use the people who come to them?

Anyone who has children who want to go into a particular field or profession should encourage them to do so instead of whining about how it's not fair.

[XCChamps]

I have no idea why any parent would allow, let alone encourage their 13yo to have her own TV show. Especially parents who (presumably) are able to provide for her quite comfortably and know how difficult being in the public eye can be.

[TalkinPeace]

How many F1 drivers at top level motor sport people have dads who did ......

the meejah is the worst offender though

look up how many journalists get their kids jobs in the industry that are never advertised

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Tfoot75
Couple of examples
Nicholas Cage - His uncle is Francis Ford Coppola
Angelia Jolie - Father is Jon Voight
Charlie Sheen
Emilio Estevez - sons of Martin Sheen
George Clooney - son of Nick Clooney and nephew of Rosemary Clooney

Football
Jamie Redknapp - son of Harry and cousin of Frank Lampard (whose Dad was capped for England)

Show Jumping
Look at the Smith and Whitaker families