These singers have surprising connections to the music industry...
Gracie Abrams has built an extremely successful career with her confessional pop songs over a short span of time, but she didn't exactly come from nowhere. Her father is acclaimed filmmaker J.J. Abrams, the director behind blockbusters like Star Trek, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Super 8. Her family connections undoubtedly gave Abrams access to the entertainment business from an early age. | © Teen Vogue
Charlotte Lawrence has developed a career as an indie-pop singer, but her family tree is packed with Hollywood connections. Her mother is actress Christa Miller, while her father is producer and writer Bill Lawrence, who is the creator of hit shows including Scrubs and Ted Lasso. She grew up in a household where entertainment was essentially the family business. | © Vanity Fair
Magnus Ferrell may not be as famous as some of the other names on this list, but his family connections are hard to beat. He's the son of comedian and actor Will Ferrell and has pursued music as a singer-songwriter since young. Growing up with one of Hollywood's biggest comedy stars as his father certainly gives him a leg up in the entertainment industry, even as he works to establish his musical career. | © Rolling Stone
Mabel may have established herself as a major British pop star with hits like "Don't Call Me Up", but music was already in her blood. She's the daughter of Swedish singer Neneh Cherry and producer and musician Cameron McVey. With two accomplished musicians as parents, Mabel grew up surrounded by the music industry before launching her own career. | © Billboard
Robin Thicke had a pretty serious entertainment pedigree before he ever released a record. His father was actor and songwriter Alan Thicke, while his mother, Gloria Loring, was a singer and actress. Robin eventually became a major pop and R&B star, especially after the enormous success of "Blurred Lines" in 2013. | © Fox
Lily Allen's unconventional artist persona might make her seem like an unlikely nepo baby, but you'd be surprised to know that she grew up surrounded by British entertainment royalty. Her father is actor and musician Keith Allen, while her mother is film producer Alison Owen. She has acknowledged the nepo baby allegations in the past, calling them an unfair label levied against women. | © Live Nation
Ben Platt's impressive singing and acting abilities are very much his own. Regardless, he has had an enormous industry connection at home. His father, Marc Platt, is a major Hollywood producer whose credits include La La Land, Wicked, and Mary Poppins Returns. That makes Platt's path into professional entertainment a little less surprising. | © Billboard
Willow Smith's musical career has seen her experiment with everything from pop and punk to alternative music, and she's a talented artist in her own right. Still, her parents are actors and musicians Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Her brother Jaden also became a musician, making the Smith family one of entertainment's most obvious modern dynasties. | © NME
Speaking of the Smiths, we'll talk about Jaden Smith. Since young, his career has blossomed across acting, rapping, and alternative music. Being the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith meant he was born into an extraordinary level of fame. He has developed a musical identity that is quite strange yet unique. | © Rolling Stone
Enrique Iglesias inherited one of the most recognizable surnames in Spanish-language music. His father is the legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, one of the world's best-selling artists. Enrique ultimately became a superstar himself, proving that having a famous father didn't prevent him from building an enormous career of his own. However, it's undeniable that he had certain connections that may have helped his career. | © Billboard
Miley Cyrus' celebrity parents are hardly a secret. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was already a country superstar when Miley was born. On the other hand, her mother, Tish Cyrus-Purcell, is a notable manager and producer. However, it's fair to say that she has become a respectable artist today. Cyrus is talented in both the music and acting industries. She first became a massive star herself through her main role in Hannah Montana. | © NME
King Princess became an indie-pop sensation with songs such as "1950", but her family connection is pretty interesting. Her father, Oliver Shauss, is a music executive who worked as an engineer and producer. Growing up around a professional recording environment gave King Princess a rather early introduction to the industry, with many privileges afforded to her. | © Teen Vogue
Nancy Sinatra is arguably one of the most classic examples of a nepo baby. Inheriting a legendary surname, Nancy's father was none other than Frank Sinatra, one of the most famous entertainers in American history. Despite that enormous shadow, Nancy developed her own musical identity with hits including "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and "Somethin' Stupid". | © Nancy Sinatra
The 1975 frontman Matty Healy may not immediately scream "nepo baby", but his parents were actually both established television personalities. His father, Tim Healy, is an actor, while his mother, Denise Welch, is an actress and television personality. Healy therefore grew up surrounded by performers and entertainment-industry figures. With Healy at the helm, The 1975 has received immense success over the years. | © NME
Clairo's bedroom-pop beginnings might make her seem like a self-made artist, but she had a significant connection to the music industry from the start. Her father, Geoff Cottrill, is a longtime marketing executive who has held senior positions at Converse, Starbucks, and The Coca-Cola Company. He also worked with brands and artists in the music business, giving Clairo a level of industry access that most aspiring musicians don't have. | © Rolling Stone
Some artists have surprisingly famous connections to the music industry. While being the child of a celebrity doesn't automatically mean someone will be a massive success, having a famous parent can certainly provide connections and opportunities that most aspiring singers don't have. That said, we'll list 15 singers you may not have realized were nepo babies.
