Catherine Zeta-Jones has criticised the phrase "nepo baby" as "horrific", arguing that children born into famous families did not choose their circumstances and deserve recognition for forging their own paths in life.
The 56-year-old actress, who is married to Michael Douglas, the son of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, made the remarks in an interview published on 13 September 2026. She defended her two children—Dylan and Carys—who have both pursued careers in entertainment, saying they are working hard to establish themselves independently.
The term "nepo baby" refers to offspring of prominent figures who are perceived to have leveraged their family connections to achieve wealth and success. Zeta-Jones rejected this characterisation of her children's ambitions.
"This horrific phrase 'nepo baby' is horrible because these kids didn't ask to be born into this, they're finding their own way in life. But they love it, and they're good. Otherwise, Michael and I would be the first to go, 'you know what? Maybe law school looks really good'."
Dylan is pursuing an acting career, with reports indicating he is preparing an acting debut in the thriller I Come to You. Carys has expressed interest in directing and has already begun building stage experience; she made her New York stage debut in The Seagull in 2026. Zeta-Jones described both children as "plugging away" at their respective crafts.
"You have to go with your dreams, your passion,"Zeta-Jones said, adding that her daughter had at one point aspired to follow a different path. According to reporting on her full remarks, Carys had wanted to be "Amal Clooney for a while" before committing to her entertainment ambitions.
How Zeta-Jones built her own career
Zeta-Jones' own path to stardom demonstrates the effort required to succeed in entertainment, even with family connections. She secured a West End role in 42nd Street in 1987, establishing herself as a performer in British theatre before achieving wider recognition. Her breakthrough came in 1991 when she starred alongside Only Fools and Horses legend David Jason in the ITV drama The Darling Buds Of May, becoming a household name in the United Kingdom.
She has since become an international film star, with prominent roles in The Mask Of Zorro, Entrapment, Traffic, and the 2002 film adaptation of Chicago. Her early passion for performance shaped her trajectory.
"I had a sniff of the joy of being in the theatre so young. I went, 'I want to do this. I can't imagine going through school and A-Levels in Swansea.'"
Zeta-Jones met Michael Douglas, now 81, at the Deauville Film Festival in France in August 1998. The couple, who have a 25-year age gap, became engaged a year later and married at The Plaza hotel in New York in 2000. Dylan was born in 2000 and Carys in 2003.
What comes next for her children
Dylan's acting debut in I Come to You represents the next significant step in his entertainment career following casting announcements made in March 2025. Carys continues to build her stage presence following her 2026 New York debut, with further theatrical work expected to follow.
Zeta-Jones describes herself as "a bit of an eclectic collector", reflecting her varied interests beyond acting. Her perspective on the "nepo baby" debate underscores broader questions about privilege, opportunity, and merit in entertainment industries where family connections often provide initial access but do not guarantee sustained success.
