Opinion | Why Kim Kardashian’s daughter just became the symbol of “nepo baby” privilege

The “nepo baby” discourse has resurfaced once again on social media after Kim Kardashian and Ye’s eldest daughter recently made her stage debut in “The Lion King 30th Anniversary — A Live-to-Film Concert Event” at the Hollywood Bowl.

Ten-year-old North West performed alongside Jeremy Irons, Billy Eichner and Jennifer Hudson, in a fuzzy costume designed by ERL. Recordings of the performance were posted to social media, sparking a backlash from unimpressed viewers who argued North seemed unprepared for such a high-profile role.

Actor Rosie O’Donnell and singer and screenwriter Nick Atkinson shared similar feelings (although others pointed out that the song West performed, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” is arguably an ode to nepotism.)

I can think of very few things more natural than a parent — yes, even a rich parent! — wanting better for their child. The desire to provide as many opportunities for your offspring is innate, making nepotism somewhat of an inevitability. And that’s where societal guardrails come in.

Privileged parents who shamelessly bend the rules, exploit loopholes and circumvent fair processes for the sake of their children should not get a pass just because their behavior is motivated by relatable instincts. Scamming the college admissions process to get your already prosperous kids into elite universities is wrong. Appointing your unqualified children to government positions simply because you can is wrong. Helping your unprepared 10-year-old leapfrog other more talented children to secure a leading role is also wrong. And, I’d argue in this case, likely to open your child up to unnecessary but predictable public ridicule.

Studies have shown that despite parents’ best intentions, putting too much pressure on their child to succeed is detrimental to their overall mental health. Children shouldering an undue burden of parental expectations run the risk of everything from negative self-talk and body issues to academic underperformance and social withdrawal.

Perhaps 10-year-old West wanted to be on stage, and her well-connected parents acquiesced by any means necessary. In the age of social media, however, it’s fair to wonder if either caregiver prepared their daughter for the downsides of fame, and the never-ending bombardment of other people’s opinions. Just because North West frequently appears on social media doesn’t mean she’s immune to the potentially serious mental health consequences of social media exposure, especially at this scale.