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'She made him #1 target': Internet disagrees as Meg Ryan says nepo baby label undermines her son Jack Quaid’s talent

Actress Meg Ryan praised son Jack Quaid's talent, defending him against the 'nepo baby' label

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The mother inside actress Meg Ryan is not ready to be a silent spectator when people label her son Jack Quaid, whom she has with her ex-husband  Dennis Quaid, a "nepo baby."

In an interview with Glamour magazine, the 'When Harry Met Sally...' actress said the label is "dismissive" of her son's talent.

"Jack is really talented. He's more of a natural than I'll ever be. That nepo stuff is so dismissive of his work ethic, his gifts, and how sensitive he is to the idea of his privilege," Ryan said.

Following his parents' footpath, Jack, 31, made his silver screen debut with a minor role in the 2012 dystopian action film 'The Hunger Games'.

He rose to fame with the role of Hughie Campbell in Prime Video's hit ongoing satirical superhero series 'The Boys'.

Meg Ryan realized Jack Quaid's talent when he was in middle school

The 62-year-old actress knew of her son's acting talent when he was a middle schooler.

Speaking to the Glamour, Ryan recalled watching Jack on stage, "I remember seeing him in a middle school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream," she said and added, "He was playing Bottom. I was newly divorced from his dad, and he was seated at the other side of the gym."

"I had my head in my hands and was like, 'Oh, no. He's good. He's really good.' I leaned forward, and I see Dennis, and he's also leaning forward with his head in his hands. I just knew," said the 'Sleepless in Seattle' star.

Ryan also talked about her concern about the "unwanted cruel scrutiny" her son might face due to the public attention. "You don't wish it [on anyone]. It's too hard and it's too weird," she added.

Jack's recent role was as Richard Feynman in Christopher Nolan's magnum opus 'Oppenheimer'. He will be next seen in the fourth season of 'The Boys' scheduled to be released in 2024.

Internet says Jack Quaid is a 'nepo baby'

Netizens differ from Ryan's perspective of people wrongly labeling her son's acting career a product of nepotism, as many pointed out Jack's privilege over talented people whose parents are unpopular.

One user said, "The way rarely anyone brings him up when talking about nepotism but now she just made him the #1 target."

Another user stated, "There are many talented people who will never have the chance cause their parents aren't famous, he's a nepo baby and that's why he's famous."

"To be dismissive of the nepotism problem is to show just how privileged you are," one user opined.

Another user noted, "The nepo baby label is a comment on your opportunities, not necessarily your talent."

"Recognizing someone's privilege and connections doesn't dismiss their talent lol," noted one amused user.

Another user explained, "Nepotism doesn't mean you are a bad person or talentless. It means that doors were opened by virtue of your familial relationships. It's not to say, 'Jack Quaid isn't talented,' it's to say, 'There are 100 other Jack Quaids that never got the chance.'"

"He's very talented, but he's still a nepo baby. Plenty of people just as talented as him who will never get the same opportunities," read another reaction.