Kevin Costner Isn’t Doing Himself Any Favors in ‘Nepo Baby’ Debate With Latest Comments on Casting Son
Yes, ladies and gents, the “nepo baby” conversation continues. And it’s understandable. Plenty of people think it’s BS when children of celebrities get roles they might not be qualified for just because of their famous parents and vast Hollywood connections. But Kevin Costner has re-entered the chat, and we’re somewhat surprised by his comments.
Because Kev, bud, you’re not really helping your cause. Well … unless your cause is to seem incredibly unsympathetic.
Costner cast his “beautiful” and “quiet” 15-year-old son Hayes in a “smaller role” in his latest movie, Horizon: An American Saga.
“I have not shoved my children into the business,” he said on Today, per Us Weekly. “I realize there’s so many young actors that would just kill to be in this movie and I don’t want to take those parts away from them just ‘cause I can place my own children in. But in this instance, it was a smaller part. I selfishly wanted him with me for the week, two weeks he was with me.”
OK … so … here’s the thing … the size of the role doesn’t really matter. Because, again, someone else would have killed for that “smaller part.” And your “selfish” move proves that you knew this was problematic and went ahead with it anyway because you wanted to be around your son.
Which is understandable! Parents love spending time with their kids. And if you can go as far as to pay them to do it (can’t relate), I guess you might as well.
Costner previously admitted that the move was also to make his teen hang out with him. Parents of teens know how hard it can be to get their kids to stick around. ” I kind of did it on purpose, so he could be hanging out with me,” the Oscar winner told People in 2022.
But this defense doesn’t exactly make things better.
The nepo baby action is a bit of a trend for the Costner family. The actor shares adult kids Annie, Lily, and Joe with ex-wife Cindy Silva. He shares adult son Liam, 26 with ex Bridget Rooney. And he shares teens Grace, Cayden, and Hayes with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner. Costner has worked alongside his three oldest kids. And believe me, I mean no shade toward the Costner kids. Hayes was incredibly impressive in his debut role. But Costner himself should realize just how out of touch his comments actually are.