Maya Hawke, the daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, proudly embraces the ‘nepo baby’ label as she pursues her own career in acting and music. In an interview with The Times, Maya explained that while some may say she doesn’t deserve the opportunities that come with her famous lineage, she is comfortable with it and believes that not pursuing her own path wouldn’t help anyone. She acknowledged the privilege she has from her relationships with her parents, emphasizing the honesty and positivity of those connections.
Reflecting on her journey to landing a role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Maya shared how she auditioned for the project through normal channels with help from her father, ultimately earning a callback. She wishes she had used better wording when describing the process, as she sparked controversy by claiming nepotism played a role in her casting. Despite this, Maya has fully embraced the nepo baby label, understanding that it helped her get her foot in the door for her Tarantino role.
Maya Hawke shares close bonds with her actor parents, Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, who met on the set of Gattaca in 1996 and married in 1998. Though their relationship ended in divorce amid rumors of infidelity in 2005, Maya has worked with both her mother and father on separate projects in recent years. She starred alongside Uma in the crime comedy thriller The Kill Room and scored the lead role in Wildcat, a biographical drama directed by her father. She shares a passion for music with her father as well, having released her third studio album, Chaos Angel, on May 31.
Chaos Angel is described as an “altogether happier album” compared to Maya’s previous work, Moss, released in 2020. The album features singles like Missing Out, Dark, and Hang In There, showcasing Maya’s growth as a musician. In addition to her music career, Maya is lending her voice to the character Anxiety in Inside Out 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the original 2015 animated hit. The first film was a commercial success, grossing $858.8 million worldwide, cementing its popularity with audiences.
Maya Hawke’s open embrace of her Hollywood lineage sets her apart as she confidently navigates her own career in the industry. While some may criticize her nepotistic advantage, Maya remains steadfast in her pursuit of acting and music, recognizing that her parents’ influence has provided her with unique opportunities. As she continues to develop her craft and collaborate with both her mother and father on creative projects, Maya’s talent and dedication shine through, establishing her as a rising star in her own right.
