Insert Foot doesn’t mind repo babies, but probably prefers if his don’t go into the family business. Adam Pardee/STAFF.

There’s yet another outcry over a “nepo baby” this week – the same week one of the ultimate nepo babies – Lisa Marie Presley – passed away at a young 54.  

It was a premature death after a life of riches and fame and struggle and pressure and anxiety and tragedy. She was the daughter of one of history’s most celebrated and glamorous celebrities, but she seemed to have anything but a privileged life. 

“Nepo baby” is the current buzzword among pop culture watchers, meant to criticize artists who seemingly get ahead because of family connections. That, to me, is hilarious, because this is America and where have you been?

This is an unfair country built on nepotism and inheritance of money and opportunity. I’m not saying it’s right, because it’s not. But how is this suddenly a new thing? How else do you explain decades of Trump family relevance?

And it’s not all gravy. Expectations can suck – ask Julian Lennon or Frank Sinatra, Jr. The so-famous-she-never-had-a-choice Presley dealt with a father dying when she was a child (Elvis impersonators must’ve been a blast) and a son dying of suicide when she was an adult, just three years ago.

In between there were stories of addiction, confusion – how else does one throw herself into a doomed marriage with Michael Jackson? – and a brief try at a career in her almighty father’s business. I saw her play once – she wasn’t bad. But she certainly suffered by comparison.

So tell me some more about nepo babies.

I read a story today about actor Timothée Chalamet being the latest target of critics because his uncle is director Rodman Flender and his grandfather was writer and screenwriter Harold Flender. His mother is actress Nicole Flender, who is also not much of a household name.

The story’s point was that the “Dune” actor hasn’t had to audition for a movie in seven years because of his connections.

That might be because he’s a very good actor. He’s been nominated for an Oscar, which usually means something. The nature of Hollywood is such that even the biggest directors can fall mighty fast with one or two bombs. Nepotism might be a factor when it comes to a small part on which the movie’s success doesn’t depend. But a lead role? Especially in a film like “Dune,” based on a book so beloved they keep spending millions trying to adapt it to the screen?  

History says it’s very difficult to visually capture Frank Herbert’s incredibly epic sci-fi saga. Yet they pulled off the best adaptation yet with Chalamet in the lead role, with a sequel on the way.

Nepotism didn’t work for Sophia Coppola’s acting career, so she became a very good director. All the showbiz Coppolas had to eventually produce (or Nic Cage wouldn’t have a career). Michael Jordan’s kids didn’t make it out of college sports, nor did Joe Montana’s. Nobody argues Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant didn’t earn their places in the history books because they’re nepo babies. Connections only go so far. You get one chance to pull off nepotism on a big scale. Then, if you don’t follow up, you’re done. Ask Jakob Dylan, whose band The Wallflowers made one very popular record. 

Everywhere else in this country, it’s seen as natural to go into the family business. There’s a reason “It’s not what you know, but who you know” is a cliché. It’s true. 

Nobody rips Jesus over who his father was. 

Like it or not, it makes sense so many of the best artists come from families of artists, because they grew up understanding the business. Some who say talent is inherited might point in that direction. Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Robert Downey, Jr., Carrie Fisher, Jaime Lee Curtis, Jennifer Aniston, and on and on… may have gotten an initial look because of their families. But they’ve endured on their talent for decades. Everybody loves Wolfgang Van Halen’s musical prowess, but do we know him if he doesn’t grow up with his dad and uncle, who in turn grew up with their professional musician father?

Unfortunately, rags to riches make great stories because they don’t happen very often. But we’ve got plenty of great art, thanks to people staying in the family business.  

Follow music critic Tony Hicks at Twitter.com/TonyBaloney1967.