Top 10 Exact Moments a Nepo Baby Brought Shame To Their Family

The Osbourne family isn’t exactly known for their squeaky-clean image. But if Ozzy and Sharon were banking on their kids to polish up that image, then they might have miscalculated. In 2009, their daughter, Kelly Osbourne, made headlines for all the wrong reasons when she was arrested for slapping a reporter. The incident occurred at a London nightclub, all because gossip columnist Zoe Griffin wrote an unflattering article about Osbourne’s then-boyfriend, model Luke Worrall. Osbourne was charged with common assault and subsequently released on bail. Although she seemed to have dodged serious consequences for it, the slap only added to Osbourne’s rebellious reputation and intensified public scrutiny around her rock n’ roll clan.

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards had its moments, but by the end of the night, all anyone could talk about was Miley Cyrus. Cyrus hit the stage in a nude latex outfit and danced provocatively with Robin Thicke during their performance of his song “Blurred Lines.” It sparked intense backlash, leaving many people asking, “Why?” and more importantly… “How?” Specifically, how did Cyrus go from her wholesome image as Disney’s Hannah Montana to a twerking sensation on national TV. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was dragged into the media frenzy, as some felt her actions reflected poorly on their family. Regardless, it was the quintessential good-girl-gone-bad tale, which Cyrus ultimately played to her advantage.

Lead singer of The 1975, Matty Healy is one of those nepo babies you might not have suspected. Healy was born to British actors Tim Healy and Denise Welch, and even appeared as an extra in their TV shows. But his parents’ attempts to maintain a respectable public image often clash with Healy’s unpredictable behavior. In 2023, he stirred controversy after kissing his bandmate onstage in Malaysia to protest the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws. This act was seen by many, including LGBTQ Malaysians, as a performative stunt that could backfire on the community. Healy also faced backlash for making comments on a podcast that many deemed racially insensitive. These incidents not only affected his reputation, but also cast a shadow on his parents’ achievements.

In the 2000s, Nicole Richie frequently made the news, though rarely for a good reason. The socialite and daughter of music legend Lionel Richie found herself in legal trouble several times. In 2002, she was arrested for getting into a fight at a New York nightclub, although the charges were later dropped. She also faced subsequent arrests for drug possession and driving under the influence. In 2007, Richie received a four-day jail sentence for the DUI, but was released after only 82 minutes. At the center of all of this was her father, who had to manage his daughter’s crises while fending off the relentless media coverage. Thankfully, he stuck by her side, helping her overcome those challenges and emerge stronger.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stunned everyone, including members of the British Royal Family, when they decided to step back from official duties in January 2020. Many in the public didn’t understand why at first, but things became clearer after their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. During the tell-all chat, the couple revealed troubling allegations of racism within the royal household and spoke about their mental health struggles, claiming they received very little support. This unprecedented interview broke the long-standing tradition of maintaining a dignified silence, and turned the royal family’s “dirty laundry” into primetime entertainment. Suddenly, the air of mystery around the monarchy was shattered, leaving many wondering if the age-old institution was still relevant in these modern times.

Children of celebrities often face pressure to live up to the towering legacies of their parents. For Jaycee Chan, the son of the beloved acting and martial arts icon Jackie Chan, that pressure must have been particularly intense. Jaycee seemed to go against his father’s law-abiding image when he was arrested in 2014 after police found drugs at his home in Beijing. This arrest was particularly damaging given Jackie’s longstanding role as an anti-drug goodwill ambassador in China. But in a classic display of parental responsibility, Jackie publicly apologized for his son’s actions and promised not to use his connections to influence the legal proceedings. Ultimately, Jaycee was sentenced to six months in prison and fined approximately $300.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan certainly isn’t the most cautious person out there. But at least, his stunts and antics are confined to the wrestling ring, under tightly controlled conditions. However, his son, Nick Hogan, has shown far more recklessness. In August 2007, Nick, who had already accumulated multiple traffic violations, was driving under the influence when he lost control of his car and crashed into a tree. Although Nick survived without any major injuries, his passenger and close friend, John Graziano, wasn’t so lucky. He suffered severe brain damage that requires full-time care for the rest of his life. As a result, Hulk Hogan was left to pick up the pieces of his son’s accident, eventually settling a lawsuit with Graziano’s family.

Max Landis was once a rising screenwriter in Hollywood, known for writing films like Netflix’s “Bright” and making Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for entertainment. However, his career unraveled in 2017 when multiple women came forward accusing him of manipulative behavior, sexual harassment and assault. If the name Landis rings a bell, it’s because he is the son of director John Landis, who made iconic comedies like “National Lampoon's Animal House” and “Coming to America.” But the allegations against his son were no laughing matter. Not only did they effectively derail Landis’ trajectory, causing studios to shelve his projects, they also harked back to the fatal on-set accidents that almost ended his father’s career back in 1982.

Being the son of “America’s Dad” naturally sets some high expectations, but Chet Hanks, whose father is Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, hasn’t exactly followed the script. His streak of controversies began in 2015 when he rear-ended the vehicle of a man named Terry Moogan, while driving his parents’ car, allegedly under the influence. Moogan wound up suing Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson for damages. But the controversies didn’t end there. Hanks sparked outrage for using Jamaican patois, which many labeled cultural appropriation. Then in 2021, his “White Boy Summer” campaign drew further scrutiny, with some saying the merch had disturbing similarities to racist symbols. These incidents have only cemented Hanks’ status as the family’s black sheep.

Martin Sheen is a highly respected actor in Hollywood, mostly known for his iconic performance as President Jed Bartlet in “The West Wing.” However, his son, Charlie Sheen, never really followed in those presidential footsteps. Sheen was once a top Hollywood leading man, thanks to his hit role on “Two and a Half Men.” But then came 2011. Sheen, who was already known for his erratic behavior, went completely off the rails when he openly criticized the show’s creator Chuck Lorre. After calling Lorre names in an interview, Sheen was fired from the show, which marked the beginning of a highly publicized meltdown. During this period, his father felt powerless over the situation, but stood firmly by his son through it all.

Which of these nepo babies do you think has redeemed themselves in the public eye and in the eyes of their families? Let us know in the comments below.