Music

Mel B's Daughter Phoenix Says Nepo Babies Face 'Hate' and 'Jealousy'

Mel B's oldest daughter, Phoenix Brown, weighed in on 'nepo babies,' calling the term "toxic."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Phoenix Brown and Mel B attend Cirque du Soleil's "LUZIA" premiere at Royal Albert Hall on January 13, 2022 in London, England.
Karwai Tang/WireImage

Phoenix Brown, the eldest daughter of Spice Girls member Mel B, believes that celebrity children who benefit from nepotism face "so much hate."

The 25-year-old shared her thoughts on the ridicule faced by 'nepo babies' in a recent interview with Radio Times. The term refers to individuals who gain coveted opportunities through close connections, often family members.

When discussing the term, Brown said that it "has increasingly toxic connotations."

"Even when nepo babies are great at their job – and many are – they face a backlash fuelled by misunderstanding, jealousy or resentment," she expressed.

Brown, who's older sister to Mel's younger daughters Angel, 17, and Madison, 13, added that her mother's fame has "opened a few doors," as she seeks a career in DJing and presenting.

On the criticism of nepo babies, Brown said that it's "almost to the point of obsession," and asked if "nepo babies [were] taking the flak for wider inequality in society?"

Last October, Brown debuted special Born In The Limelight Nepo Babies: UNTOLD and shared that her mother came from a "working-class background" before joining a girl group.

Plenty of celebrities still carry the nepo baby label, including Emma Roberts, the daughter of Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts, Jaden and Willow Smith, the children of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Zoë Kravitz, daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.

Related Stories

Barack Obama and daughters
pop-culture

Barack Obama Says Daughters Want Success Without Leveraging Last Name

In 2023, Barack's daughter Malia chose not to be credited as an Obama in her directorial film debut.

tara mahadevan550 days ago
Stephen A. Smith in a light-colored blazer and tie sits on stage, looking focused
sports

Stephen A. Smith on Role Nepotism Played in Lakers Drafting Bronny James

The ESPN commentator is reminding basketball fans that nepotism has been rampant in the NBA for years.

Brad Callas675 days ago
Emma Roberts and George Clooney at separate events, with Emma wearing a sleeveless top and George in a dark blazer
pop-culture

Emma Roberts on ‘Nepo Baby’ Criticism Unfairly Targeting Women: ‘Why Is No One Calling Out George Clooney?’

The 33-year-old actress—whose aunt is Julia Roberts and dad is Eric Roberts—argued against the stigma about working in Hollywood with family connections.

Alex Ocho677 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App