Recently I came across an article from the Business of Fashion about Gray Sorrenti and her photography career path. Well, more that she didn’t become a photographer because of her photographer dad. Now I admit I didn’t read the article because 1) the paywall and 2) this isn’t necessarily a response to this article, but more so this opinion I have as a whole regarding nepotism in today’s world.
For those not in the loop, nepotism is using family connections to be successful in industries. An individual is inheriting success, walking a path paved by family members in the same industry. It’s nothing new though, looking at royal families, family-owned businesses, overall people following the career paths of their parents. And this is where my thoughts starts to take form.
Nepotism has a bad connotation, and when seeing what the American Dream traditionally is, by being able to come from nothing and become something, it isn’t a surprise. I think many though forget much of the drive for the American Dream is to improve the experience and lives for the next generations. Nepotism is the outcome of the American Dream being fulfilled.
This leads to the distaste for nepotism by general society. But I don’t think it’s really towards nepotism. It actually towards those who want to pretend their success is based all on their own hard work. As though their connections and early exposure had nothing to do with their success. The “self-made” aspect of the Kylie/Billionaire Forbes situation, or the top runway models who defend “working just as hard, if not harder” despite being born into money and/or the fashion industry (thinking the Hadid Sisters, Kendal, Lila Moss etc) or even Nicolas Cage, who’s stage name doesn’t reflect the Cinematic Royal name of Coppola he was born with.
Really this more is an analysis on the human desire to want independence. To have this identity of being successful from one’s own merit. Which, when this does happen, is many times an inspirational and impressive feat. But this doesn’t have to be everyone’s path, and it isn’t.
There is a gracefulness and humbleness to admitting one’s success was made from a combination of hard work and nepotism. And it isn’t something to be ashamed of. Kind of goes along the lines of making fun of yourself first before others do. It’s genuine and, in my opinion, more honorable to admit the obvious. With the exposure social media has brought to the entertainment industry by humanizing the once Demi-gods of celebrities, it is hard for someone to feign a story of humble backgrounds. Might as well admit what will inevitably be uncovered and full on surf the nepotism wave.
