Zooey Deschanel Hits Back At ‘Nepo Baby’ Claims

Zooey Deschanel hit back at “nepo baby” claims — and was dragged online for it because she has an Oscar-nominated cinematographer for a father and both her mother and sister are actresses.

During the 44-year-old actress’ appearance on “The School of Greatness” podcast, she denied that getting work in the TV and movie industry had anything to do with her parents, other than creatively. In the past she’s been called a “nepo baby,” which is a term for someone who gets work in Hollywood because of nepotism, the Independent noted. 

“My mom is an actor and my dad is a cinematographer and a director,” Deschanel said. “I can’t possibly emphasize enough how much creative help I had from my family unit. My dad is a great creative mind and such a talented person.”

“It’s funny because people be like, ‘Oh, nepotism,’ I’m like no. My dad’s a DP [director of photography, another term for cinematographer],” she added. “No one’s getting jobs because their dad’s a DP. It’s definitely not.”

“My mom is a great actor and is so nurturing,” the actress continued. “My mom would coach me when I didn’t have an acting coach, she would help me, read lines with me. She’d be so supportive. I would have so many great discussions about film and filmmaking with my dad. They both would help me.”

The “New Girl” star said that her dad would also give her great direction and read lines with her. She said having a family involved in the business gave her an automatic “community” that would help her. 

Zooey Deschanel on being called a nepo baby

“My father is a cinematographer … no one is getting jobs because [of that]”

Her dad is a 6X Oscar nominee and her mother is an actress pic.twitter.com/tLDSPOgaTR

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) April 1, 2024

Deschanel’s father has been nominated for six Academy Awards for his cinematography work in legendary films like “The Patriot,” “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Right Stuff,” and “The Natural.”

The “Elf” star’s mother is “Twin Peaks” star Mary Jo Deschanel (formerly Weir) and her sister is Emily Deschanel — who has appeared in movies like “Spider-Man 2” and “It Could Happen To You.”

Shortly after the interview surfaced, people took to X and mocked the actress with memes and comments suggesting she definitely did have a leg up because of her parents.

“In Zooey Deschanel’s case (having an Oscar-nominated cinematographer and an actor for parents, plus an older sister who’s also a very successful actor) you just gotta accept the Nepo Baby label and keep it moving,” one person wrote. “Any arguing or indignation is gonna backfire.”

Another added, “I would like to congratulate Zooey Deschanel on her role as the new punching bag on this topic for the foreseeable future.”

While a third wrote sarcastically, “Okay you f***ers. Leave her alone. I am serious. I am not having you bully this nepo baby. I draw the line at Zooey Deschanel!”