What does it mean to be a “nepo baby?” The term, short for “nepotism baby,” points to actors and other creatives who have launched successful careers thanks to their parents’ industry connections. The discourse around nepotism in the entertainment industry reached a fever pitch in December when Vulture published a feature called “The Year of the Nepo Baby.”

Although the term is condescending, and an actor can be forgiven for getting defensive about it, it’s also true. If there are a hundred passionate, talented, and hardworking actors for every available role, and the one actor who books the job just happens to come from a family with powerful connections, what does that say about the fairness of the audition process? You see the same pattern in other creative fields. Yes, you have to be good at what you do in order to succeed—but experienced parents can help you cultivate talent that would have otherwise died on the vine, and connections can help get your foot in the door.