Melanie Griffith exudes chic calm after NY Mag's ‘nepo baby’ cover mocks daughter Dakota Johnson

Celebrity nepotism is nothing new but the term 'nepo baby' has become increasingly popular as an insult
UPDATED DEC 20, 2022
Melanie Griffith appears cool while grabbing lunch in West Hollywood following Dakota Johnson's appearance on the 'nepo baby' cover. (Backgrid/New York magazine)
Melanie Griffith appears cool while grabbing lunch in West Hollywood following Dakota Johnson's appearance on the 'nepo baby' cover. (Backgrid/New York magazine)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Melanie Griffith rocked a casual but chic outfit when she was spotted for lunch at Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique in West Hollywood on Monday, December 19. Her outing came after her daughter Dakota Johnson, 33, was mocked among a host of other young stars with celebrity parents on New York Magazine's 'The Year of the Nepo Baby' cover. 

The 65-year-old 'Lolita' actress, who went out with her dog, wore a cream leather jacket over a white t-shirt, light blue pants, and brown sandals, as per Daily Mail. She sported a brown shoulder bag and a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. The star, who is also Antonio Banderas's ex-wife, styled her blonde hair loosely in waves falling down her back.

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Melanie Griffith looked effortlessly cool while grabbing lunch from Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique in West Hollywood on Monday (Backgrid)
Melanie Griffith looked effortlessly cool while grabbing lunch from Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique in West Hollywood on Monday (Backgrid)
Melanie Griffith donned a cream leather jacket over a white tee, which she paired with light blue jeans and brown sandals (Backgrid)
Melanie Griffith donned a cream leather jacket over a white tee, which she paired with light blue jeans and brown sandals (Backgrid)
Melanie Griffith was joined by her dog for the outing (Backgrid)
Melanie Griffith was joined by her dog for the outing (Backgrid)

Earlier on Monday, Griffith's daughter, Johnson, appeared on New York Magazine's 'nepo baby' cover alongside Maya Hawke, Maude Apatow, Lily-Rose Depp and other celebrities with famous parents. Celebrity nepotism is nothing new, but the term 'nepo baby' has gained popularity as a way to mock their children. 

Nate Jones, a senior writer of 'Vulture', spoke with managers and casting directors in the industry, one of whom said, "A lot of the children of famous people are not good. Someone once said to me, 'We should hire so-and-so because their parents will come to the opening night,'" a veteran casting director recalled. "A big agency will write and say, 'This is so-and-so's kid,' and you understand that to mean 'So you have to see this kid.' I have learned to simply say, 'Not right for the role. But lovely.' There are a number of veiled responses rather than saying, 'Are you guys kidding me?'"



 

Johnson, whose father is Emmy nominee Don Johnson, hails from a long line of renowned actors. Her mother Griffith was nominated for the Oscar while her grandmother Tippi Hedren won the Golden Globe. In 2019, 'Suspiria' director Luca Guadagnino said of casting Johnson as the lead in his horror remake, "I can see Tippi Hedren [in her]." Johnson was also crowned Miss Golden Globe in 2006, a debutante-style title reserved for the daughters of celebrities. 

In addition to being a mother to Johnson, Griffith also mother to Stella Banderas, 26, with her ex, Antonio Banderas, along with a 37-year-old son, Alexander Bauer, with her ex-husband, Steven Bauer.

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