Richard Wilkins has lashed out at critics who have branded his son Christian a ‘nepo baby‘ after the budding actor topped the list of the Australia’s most privileged offspring.
The term ‘nepo baby’ refers to a person who benefits from their family connections or privileged background.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Richard said the label irritated him because his son shouldn’t be criticised for having parents who are merely trying to support their child.
‘I get a little irritated because you look at any law firm or panel beaters and they all embrace their families and give their kids jobs and help them with their lives,’ he vented.
‘Why wouldn’t you do that? That’s what being a parent is, helping your child. Yes, you might open a door, but he has to walk through.’
Meanwhile, Christian, who recently moved to the US to pursue an acting career, laughed off the label.
He said his famous family name has made no difference to his success overseas.
‘I feel very grateful to be my dad’s son and if that’s what being a nepo baby is, then whatever,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘And I can tell you this much though. The Wilkins name unfortunately doesn’t carry the same weight in Los Angeles, so I don’t necessarily feel like a nepo baby over there.’
In fact, Christian has been making waves all on his own in Hollywood.
‘It’s great. I love living over there. I’ve already filmed a couple short films this year. I just got cast in an online TV series playing the lead,’ he revealed.
‘It’s very exciting. I feel very grateful to be able to come back here and have a safe landing place and a place that’s so beautiful that I get to call home.
‘I’ve always been a big believer that you should chase the fear and it’s definitely scary, but so far it’s paying off and I love it.’
Richard added, ‘His timing last year wasn’t ideal, he moved there a week before the writer’s strike, so there wasn’t much going on, but this year he’s back and things are rolling, it’s great.’
Meanwhile, Christian also addressed the criticism surrounding his bold red carpet looks.
The social media star often likes to express himself at events in dramatic frocks, corset, skirts and high heels.
‘It honestly does not really bother me at all,’ he said.
‘People will say whatever they want to say. And there are far more people saying nice things than there are saying negative things.
‘I’ve always been a very big believer that if you have an opportunity to create visibility for minorities, that you should take that opportunity. And I think any potential positives that I’m doing greatly outweigh any negatives.’
The father-son duo have been working together on their new podcast, The Apple & The Tree.
Christian had the idea to collaborate with his father, hoping to blend their professional skills and family bond.
‘It was an idea that I had. Basically, I love working with Dad, and he is such an incredible professional. He’s so passionate about what he gets to do in it,’ he gushed.
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‘I’ve always loved getting to watch him and absorb everything that he knows through osmosis and kind of thought wouldn’t it be amazing if we got to work together and share some time together and share what we both know, and it’s come to fruition which makes us both very proud.’
Meanwhile, Richard reflected on the journey to bring the podcast to life.
‘It’s taken about two years to get to this point. We stop, go, stop, go, and Christian moved to the US, but it’s a really nice feeling to see those wacky photos that we had done come to life and the podcast be produced and put together.
We’re happy, proud, and thrilled.’