Breaking Free: Why Nepo Babies Are Ditching Their Famous Last Names
The Celeb Kids Who Ditched Their Famous Last Names: A Desperate Attempt for Autonomy?
In a shocking turn of events, two high-profile celebrity kids have decided to drop their famous last names and start anew. Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, has bid adieu to her last name and is now simply going by "Malia Ann." Meanwhile, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, the 19-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has also changed her moniker, opting for a more low-key persona.
The question on everyone's mind is: why are these celebrity kids suddenly ditching their famous last names? Is it a desperate attempt to break free from the constant scrutiny and pressure that comes with being the offspring of Hollywood A-listers? Or are they simply trying to carve out their own identities and forge their own paths in life?
For Malia, the decision to drop her last name may be a bid for autonomy. As she navigates the cutthroat world of show business, she's likely looking to distance herself from her famous parents and create her own brand. After all, as her mom Michelle Obama revealed on her podcast Sibling Revelry, her daughters started "pushing away" from their parents as teenagers, desperate to distinguish themselves from their famous family.
But what about Shiloh? Her decision to drop Pitt's last name may be a response to the messy divorce between her parents. The couple's bitter battle has played out in the public eye, with Jolie accusing Pitt of domestic violence and him denying the claims. In this toxic environment, it's no wonder that Shiloh is looking to reinvent herself.
The trend of celebrity kids dropping their famous last names isn't new, however. Nicholas Cage (born Nicolas Coppola) famously changed his name early in his career to distance himself from his famous uncle, Francis Ford Coppola. And Louisa Jacobson, the youngest daughter of Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep and sculptor Don Gummer, has also opted for a more low-key persona, using her middle name to avoid confusion with another actress named Louisa Gummer.
According to brand strategist Rachael Kay Albers, celebrity kids like Malia and Shiloh are changing their names for two main reasons: they want to stand on their own two feet artistically and career-wise, or they want to live a quiet life and avoid the spotlight. "Nepo babies" (as Albers calls them) are rebranding themselves as they navigate the complexities of fame.
But can these celebrity kids truly escape their famous parents' shadow? As Albers noted, when Malia Obama changed her name, it wasn't just about shedding her last name – it was about reshaping her identity in public. And let's be real: no matter how hard she tries, people will always remember her as "Malia Obama."
The same holds true for Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. Despite her efforts to distance herself from her parents' messy divorce and create a new persona, the public may never truly forget that she's the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
As Albers put it, "They'll never forget you're Malia Obama." But will these celebrity kids' attempts at rebranding ultimately pay off? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: the world is watching with bated breath as these famous faces try to carve out their own paths in life.
The question remains: what's next for Malia and Shiloh? Will they continue to navigate the cutthroat world of show business, or will they find a way to forge their own paths outside of the spotlight?
Stay tuned, folks. This is one celebrity drama that's far from over.
Sources: The Scholarly Note
