Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell may be two of the biggest names in music, but their mom, Maggie Baird, isn’t buying into the idea that their success is purely due to nepotism.
In a new interview with Glamour published on Oct. 3, Baird clapped back at the recent “nepo baby” label that has been attached to her kids. The term resurfaced after a clip of Maggie’s appearance on Friends began circulating online, with many pointing out her and her husband Patrick O’Connell’s connections to the entertainment industry.
However, Maggie was quick to set the record straight, explaining that while both she and Patrick have worked as actors and musicians, they were “working-class actors” who “eked out a meagre living.”
The actress shared, “I got that episode of Friends because I was about to lose my health insurance,” emphasising that neither she nor Patrick had the fame or fortune that their children now enjoy.
She added that there’s a huge difference between the life she led as an actor and the one Billie and Finneas now navigate.
“People don’t really understand there’s a whole industry of people who are creative and they’re working and they’re struggling,” she explained, “But that’s a very different life than on this side of the door where you’re suddenly playing in this different arena.”
Despite their massive success—Billie and Finneas have both won multiple Grammys, and they made history as the youngest two-time Oscar winners—Baird says their family has remained tight-knit and grounded. “The family part is the part that keeps it sane,” she said.
As for how the family deals with the overwhelming scrutiny, Maggie offered a simple reminder: “They’re all human.”
With hits like “Bad Guy,” which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her critically acclaimed albums When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and Happier Than Ever, Billie has consistently dominated both the charts and award shows.
Meanwhile, Finneas is a Grammy-winning producer and songwriter in his own right. He has played a crucial role in shaping Billie’s sound while also finding success as a solo artist, having just released his new album For Cryin’ Out Loud! on Oct. 4, ahead of his upcoming tour in Australia in January 2025.
The project was preceded by the title track, “Cleats” and “Lotus Eater,” and follows the Grammy-winning producer’s 2021 debut album, Optimist.
