The term “nepo baby” has become one of the most debated labels in entertainment today and increasingly, one of its most polarizing.

Mainly, it refers to children of celebrities or influential figures who appear to have easier access to opportunities in show business. But in recent years, the label has taken on a sharper tone, often used less as a description and more as a dismissal, tied to assumptions of privilege outweighing merit.

That raises a recurring question in modern entertainment culture: Should “nepo babies” be automatically shunned or dismissed because of their background or should they be given the space to prove themselves?

In Philippine entertainment, where legacy families remain deeply embedded in the industry, that debate is becoming more visible than ever. And Viva Artists Agency’s newly launched “Next Gen” roster has found itself right at the center of it.

Ashley Diaz, Gabbi Ejercito, Icee Ejercito, Jac Abellana, Jaime Yllana, Rob Walcher, Ryan Walcher, and Vito Quizon represent a new wave of showbiz scions stepping into the spotlight.

They carry surnames that already carry weight in the industry but they are also stepping into a climate where that same advantage is heavily scrutinized.

Still, they are united in one point: Their names may open doors, but only their work will determine how long they stay open. 

For Gabbi, daughter of actors Gary Estrada and Bernadette Allyson, the conversation is not something to avoid, it is something to confront directly.

“Like, we know we’re given this much attention because we are the daughters of famous parents,” said Gabbi. “The thing though is, we’re not just banking on that. We want to prove our worth. We want to show people that we are more than just our surnames. That we deserve to be here and we are more than willing to put in the hard work necessary.”

Her sister Icee echoed the same honesty, sharing that she once questioned entering the industry because of the same label now attached to her.

“I really didn’t want to be here talaga because of that. I wanted to prove myself in other fields. But then again, it didn’t pan out that way. Suddenly, I’m here, auditioning for roles. Yes, I audition. I don’t get projects because I’m the daughter of… pumila, ako nag-try out ako, just like the rest,” Icee said.

She added: “Pwedeng sabihin that we have it easy getting in because of our surname but the thing is if you don’t have the talent and the desire it won’t last. Ako, personally, I’m going to try my best to prove my worth.”

For Vito, grandson of Comedy King Dolphy and son of Vandolph, the label is not something to deny but something to rise above.

“Okay lang po na natatawag kaming nepo baby, since totoo naman siya. Pero pwede ko namang ipakita na I’m more than just a nepo baby, na karapatdapat ako pumasok sa showbiz,” Vito said.

This sentiment runs across the group: Acknowledgment of privilege should not cancel out effort. While it highlights a tension the industry has always quietly lived with but rarely addressed so openly, it shouldn't be considered a gauge to simply dismiss them.

The “nepo baby” conversation is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. If anything, it continues to grow louder in an era where audiences are more critical of access, influence, and visibility.

But Viva’s Next Gen stars are in the best position to reframe that narrative by insisting that background alone is not the finish line.

Across their individual journeys, one common thread emerges: auditions, effort, and the pressure to continuously prove themselves beyond recognition.

This is where the conversation becomes less about labels and more about perspective.

Should nepo babies be automatically dismissed because of their advantage? Or should they be judged the same way as everyone else: By output, discipline, and growth?

The reality, as this new generation is trying to demonstrate, sits somewhere in between.

Privilege may explain entry points but it does not guarantee endurance. And in an industry built on public attention, the real test begins not at the moment of introduction, but in the long stretch after.