Holy airball! Have the nepo babies found another way to put everyone’s backs up?

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"TikTok Trend 'Holy Airball' Highlights Wealth Bragging Among Celebrity Offspring"

Holy airball! Have the nepo babies found another way to put everyone’s backs up? analysis cover image The Guardian 5.7
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/jun/02/holy-airball-have-the-nepo-babies-found-another-way-to-put-everyones-backs-up
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AI Analysis Average Score: 5.7
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TruthLens AI Summary

The recent trend of 'holy airball' on TikTok has sparked conversations about wealth bragging among the children of celebrities, often referred to as 'nepo babies'. This trend involves young influencers showcasing their privilege through videos that highlight their famous parents in a context that often belittles others. For instance, Alexia Sotomayor, a professional swimmer, shared a video where she humorously addressed an underestimation of her abilities by a peer, leading to the catchphrase 'Holyfrickenairball' as a punchline. This trend has been adopted by other celebrity offspring, such as Ava Phillippe, Francesca Scorsese, and Alianna, who have all participated in similar TikTok videos that emphasize their familial connections in a boastful manner. Each video typically features a dialogue that showcases the disparity between their life experiences and those of average individuals, often culminating in a visual display of their parents' achievements or wealth, which raises eyebrows about the appropriateness of such displays.

Critics argue that this trend reflects a troubling attitude towards generational wealth, where the offspring of successful individuals flaunt their advantages rather than celebrating their own personal accomplishments. The underlying message of these videos often implies an expectation of inheriting wealth and status, which can be perceived as distasteful and elitist. For example, a TikTok from the daughter of an Airbnb executive showcased lavish rental properties as a response to someone underestimating her family's business. This practice of bragging about parents' success rather than one's own efforts has drawn criticism for suggesting that these young adults are not capable of achieving success on their own. The phenomenon raises questions about societal values and the impact of privilege on personal identity, as many viewers are left to ponder the implications of such displays of wealth and entitlement in the digital age.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The article presents a commentary on a new social media trend termed "holy airball," which has emerged among the so-called "nepo babies"—children of celebrities and influential figures. It highlights how these individuals use TikTok to showcase their privileged backgrounds in a way that is both boastful and self-deprecating, ultimately raising questions about wealth and social standing in modern society.

Social Commentary on Wealth Display

The term "holy airball" is used to describe instances where individuals feel underestimated, leading to a display of their backgrounds that is meant to provoke a reaction. The examples provided illustrate a phenomenon where children of influential parents share anecdotes that emphasize their privilege, often wrapping it in humor or sarcasm. This trend appears to reflect broader societal issues regarding wealth, entitlement, and the perception of success.

Public Perception and Backlash

By focusing on the ostentatious nature of these posts, the article seeks to create a sense of discomfort among readers regarding the flaunting of wealth and privilege. It suggests that while these individuals may find humor in their experiences, the underlying message can be perceived as tone-deaf or insensitive, especially in a world grappling with economic inequality. This could lead to a growing backlash against those perceived as out of touch with the realities faced by the average person.

Hidden Agendas and Societal Implications

The article does not overtly suggest any hidden agendas; however, it can be interpreted that there is an intention to provoke thought and discussion about the implications of such displays of wealth. The emphasis on social media trends may serve as a distraction from more pressing social issues, such as wealth disparity and systemic inequality. In this context, the article could be seen as a critique of superficial culture that prioritizes status over substance.

Manipulative Elements and Trustworthiness

The language used in the article, particularly in describing the "holy airball" trend, could be viewed as manipulative in that it frames the behavior of these individuals in a negative light. This framing may lead readers to form a judgment about the nepo babies and their perceived lack of awareness regarding class issues. While the article contains real examples from social media, the selection and presentation of these anecdotes could skew public perception, leading to distrust in the authenticity of the individuals involved.

Cultural Relevance and Broader Connections

This trend connects to a larger dialogue around privilege, identity, and the responsibilities of those in the spotlight. The timing of the article suggests a growing concern within society about the normalization of wealth bragging and its implications for social cohesion. The mention of various celebrity offspring indicates that this phenomenon is not isolated, but rather part of a broader cultural moment that reflects ongoing tensions regarding class and privilege.

Possible Economic and Political Effects

The depiction of wealthy individuals flaunting their status may lead to a variety of societal reactions, including increased scrutiny of the wealthy and a push for greater accountability in how privilege is perceived and discussed. If the public sentiment shifts towards a negative view of such displays, it could influence consumer behavior, political discourse, and even social media trends as users seek to align themselves with more humble values.

Target Audience and Community Support

This article likely resonates more with audiences critical of privilege and those advocating for social justice. It appeals to readers who are concerned about the implications of wealth inequality and who may feel alienated by the ostentatious displays of wealth by the privileged class.

Overall, the article serves as a critique of social media culture, particularly the way it enables individuals to showcase their wealth and connections. It raises important questions about the impact of these trends on societal values and the collective consciousness regarding wealth and privilege.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/jun/02/holy-airball-have-the-nepo-babies-found-another-way-to-put-everyones-backs-up

Name:Wealth bragging.

Age:There’s Buddhist scripture warning against it, so let’s assume pretty old.

Appearance:Evolving.

Don’t worry, I’m very up to date on this. It’s all about stealth wealth these days, right?You mean subtle demonstrations of wealth that deliberately make a point of not looking obnoxious?

Yes, that’s exactly it.Ha ha ha. No.

What has it changed to?Are you familiar with the “holy airball” trend?

I’m an adult with real-world responsibilities, so of course I’m not.OK, so the TikTok kids are saying “Holy airball” whenever someone underestimates them. For example, the professional swimmer Alexia Sotomayor posted a video that said “told him i’m a swimmer, he said ‘i used to swim in the summer, i can probably beat you’”. Then there was a clip of her preparing for the world championship, and the word “Holyfrickenairball”.

Oh, gross.Yes, it’s a wildly ostentatious boast. But now the nepo babies are doing it.

Give me an example.Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter, Ava, just posted a TikTok that read: “I told him my mum’s a lawyer, and he said, ‘Oh what firm does she work at?’” Theholy airball momenthere was a photo of her mother in Legally Blonde.

Any others?Martin Scorsese’s daughter, Francesca,got in on the act(“I told him my dad is a film-maker. He said ‘Oh nice, for like commercials or something?’” ) and Akon’s daughter,Alianna(“told him my dad was in the music industry … he said ‘oh, like a manager?’”).

Oh, it’s wrong to be proud of your parents now, is it?Well, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Because now the children of CEOs have waded in. The daughter of an Airbnb executiveposted a TikTokreading, “I told him my family owned an Airbnb. Him: ‘Oh their little apartment must be cute’”, followed by a slideshow of expensive rental properties. The daughter of an Anthropologie designerdid onethat said: “I told him my mom designed a famous candle. He said, ‘like for a farmer’s market?’.”

This is sweet.No it isn’t. It’s one thing to brag about your own accomplishments, but it’s far uglier to brag about accomplishments you had nothing to do with and only benefit from. The subtext of all these TikToks is essentially: “Look how rich I’m going to be when my parent dies.”

I’m not sure that’s the case.And the format of the videos is offputting too. God forbid anyone asks you a follow-up question when you’re boasting about your mum.

So I shouldn’t show off about my parents online?Not unless you want everyone to think you’re incapable of standing on your own two feet without them, no.

Do say:“TikTokers are bragging about generational wealth.”

Don’t say:“Their parents must be so proud.”

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Source: The Guardian