Catherine Zeta-Jones Defends Children's Career Choices Amid 'Nepo Baby' Scrutiny
The actress highlights her children's passion and work ethic as they pursue careers in the entertainment industry.
Catherine Zeta-Jones has vocally defended her children's decision to enter the entertainment industry, asserting that their passion for acting is genuine and that they are forging their own paths.
Zeta-Jones, married to Michael Douglas since 2000, addressed the term "nepo baby," which she described as "horrific." She explained that she and Douglas made efforts to expose their children, Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23, to the "horror stories" of Hollywood to gauge their true commitment to the craft. Despite these warnings, both children pursued acting, participating in numerous college films, musicals, and plays.
"It’s a very small percentage of our business that can really make a living out of doing what we love. But they certainly do love it," Zeta-Jones stated in an interview with AARP Magazine. She emphasized that her children are actively auditioning and working hard, earning their opportunities independently.
Both Dylan and Carys are graduates of Brown University. Dylan studied political science, while Carys earned degrees in film and international relations. Zeta-Jones also shared that she was pregnant with Dylan during her wedding and with Carys when she won her Oscar for "Chicago."
In a previous interview with The Times, Zeta-Jones expressed frustration with the "nepo baby" label, arguing that her children "didn’t ask to be born into this, they’re finding their own way in life." She added that if they lacked genuine passion or talent, she and Douglas would be the first to encourage them to pursue different careers, such as law school.
Michael Douglas himself comes from a show business legacy, being the son of screen legend Kirk Douglas and his first wife, Diana Dill.
Dylan Douglas's foray into political punditry last year resulted in a widely publicized debate on CNN with Republican commentator Scott Jennings. During the exchange, which focused on government shutdowns, Dylan, defending the Democratic party, appeared flustered and stuttered, drawing significant online mockery. Sources close to the family suggested that Douglas felt CNN had "crossed a line" and Zeta-Jones considered the segment "unfair and exploitative," with one insider telling reporter Rob Shuter that Dylan had "never been spoken to like that in his entire life." The family reportedly felt the debate was an "ambush" and vowed to cease interviews with CNN. Jennings, however, expressed bemusement at the reported outrage, noting on Meghan McCain's podcast that Dylan was pleasant off-air and seemed honored to participate.