Hailey Bieber Responds to Criticism She’s “Not Enough of a Nepo Baby”

Must read

Interview: I Fell Head Over Heels In Love Talking to Taylor Zakhar Perez About Skin Care

Zakhar Perez could not be more opposite. “ growing up, my mom was an esthetician, so she just always taught us the importance of...

The Concrete Echoes of Martin Whatson

Harman Projects, NYC // September 09, 2023 - September 30, 2023 ...

84 Spooky Halloween Nail Art Ideas for 2023

Halloween costumes come with various levels of commitment: We've got the planners who know a whole 11 months prior what their theme is, the...

Hailey Bieber entered the “nepo baby” chat in January when she wore a T-shirt adorned with the eyebrow-raising term. Now, the model explains why “I embrace that I am” one.

Hailey Bieber Slams “Made-Up” Feud With Selena Gomez

Hailey Bieber just rhode in with an explanation to her now-viral “nepo baby” T-shirt.

ICYMI: The supermodel—who is the daughter of Stephen Baldwin and the niece of Alec Baldwin—was thrown into the internet’s discourse over Hollywood nepotism in January, when she wore a white cropped top emblazoned with the words “nepo baby” during a day out in Los Angeles. At the time, many social media users believed it was her way to poke fun at the debate.

Now, Hailey set the record straight about her sartorial choice, explaining that she wasn’t trying to ruffle feathers with the head-turning tee.

“My point to having worn the T-shirt was not to poke fun at it or be like, ‘Yeah, I’m a nepo baby haha,’ type of a thing,” she explained during the June 29 episode of the Bloomberg Originals series The Circuit With Emily Chang. “It was more so to be like, ‘This is what everyone is saying and I want you to know that this is my way of responding to it.'” 

Hailey added that she meant for the tee to serve as an “overly literal” response, explaining, “I’m just going to call myself a nepo baby, because I am one, and I embrace that I am.”

However, according to Hailey, the buzzy shirt unintentionally sparked criticism over how she’s “not really a nepo baby that much.”

“What was funny about that to me, the way the internet is, it’s like nothing’s ever enough,” she remarked. “You’re going to sit there and call me a nepo baby all day long, but then I acknowledge it and then I’m not enough of a nepo baby? There is never any winning with the internet, and that’s what I’ve always—time and time again—realized.” 

Photo by Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Elsewhere in the interview, Hailey weighed in on another infamous social media discourse: Her rumored feud with Selena Gomez.

“I don’t think that this is about me, Hailey Bieber, and Selena Gomez,” explained the star, whose husband Justin Bieber used to date the Only Murders in the Building actress. “This is not about this pitting between two women and division between two women. It’s about the vile, disgusting hatred that can come from completely made up and twisted and perpetuated narratives. That can be really dangerous.”

Hailey added, “I don’t like this whole idea of team this person and team this person—I’m just not about that. I want to be able to bring people together.”

Sign up for E! Insider! Unlock exclusive content, custom alerts & more!

More articles

Latest article

You Need Sustainable Activewear if you Plan on Getting Sweaty

We’ve searched high and low for responsible activewear companies that offer technical and flattering fabrics and designs.We’ve searched high and low for responsible activewear...

See Harry Styles and Taylor Russell Hold Hands in Golden London Outing

Harry Styles' Rumored New Flame: What We KnowHarry Styles and Taylor Russell are living while they're young. Amid the pair's rumored romance, the former One...

The 14 Best Meditation Apps to Download Right Now

Meditation can be hard. But — as your friends, colleagues, and even your therapist might remind you — there are many benefits to the practice....

Asif Hoque is a “Golden Boy”

Half Gallery, NYC // November 18, 2022 - December 17, 2022 ...

Lauryn Hill’s Hair Defied Gravity at Roots Picnic — See Photos

The annual Roots Picnic music festival, which ran from June 2 to June 4, featured performances from tons of stars, including Eve, Usher, and...