Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, acknowledges her “nepo baby” status in the entertainment industry but is unashamed of the advantages it brings. She believes that not taking opportunities offered to her does not benefit anyone else, so she embraces her privilege and is comfortable with not necessarily deserving it. Maya often jokes about her famous family, referring to them as the “indie Kardashians”, and knows that trying to hide her lineage would be futile as it would eventually be uncovered.
In a recent interview, Maya discussed how she landed a role in Quentin Tarantino’s film Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood for “nepotistic reasons”, but she also pointed out that many other children of Hollywood stars were cast in the film. Despite potential criticism of her “undeserved” fame, Maya is able to handle jokes and negative comments about her family background. She views her position in the entertainment industry as fortunate and acknowledges that being able to joke about it is a sign of being in a privileged position.
Maya opened up about her relationship with her father, Ethan Hawke, mentioning a time after her parents’ divorce when she lived with him at the Hotel Chelsea. She reminisced about their creative and magical times spent together, such as running a lemonade stand in the lobby and following treasure maps around the neighborhood. Their close bond contributed to the ease of working together on the film Wildcat, a biopic of Flannery O’Connor directed by Ethan Hawke and starring Maya as the acclaimed author.
Despite the advantages Maya has had in her career due to her famous parents, she maintains a positive and honest relationship with them. She acknowledges that her upbringing and family connections have played a role in her success, but she remains grateful for the opportunities she has been given. Maya’s attitude towards her privilege and her ability to openly discuss and joke about her family background reflect her acceptance of her position in the industry.
Maya Hawke’s approach to her celebrity status and her relationship with her parents sets her apart in the entertainment industry. She is unapologetic about the advantages she has had but recognizes that she has worked hard to establish herself as an actress and singer. Maya’s authenticity and humor in dealing with criticisms and jokes about her family background show her resilience and ability to navigate the complexities of fame. Her collaboration with her father on the film Wildcat is a testament to their close bond and shared passion for the arts.