Maude Apatow responds to being called a ‘nepotism baby’: ‘I’m in a lucky position’

Actress Maude Apatow opened up to Porter magazine in an intimate new interview.

The 24-year-old Euphoria star got candid about being the daughter of Hollywood icons Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, as well as the next season of the acclaimed HBO series.

Maude admitted in the sit-down that she’s ‘in such a lucky position’ to be what the internet has dubbed a ‘nepotism baby.’

During her chat with the fashion publication she said, ‘At first, I was sad… I try not to let it get to me because I obviously understand that I’m in such a lucky position.’

Looking at the glass half full she added, ‘A lot of people [in a similar position] have proven themselves over the years, so I’ve got to keep going and make good work. It’s so early in my career.’

The performer, who described herself as having been ‘shy’ in high school, said she used it to her advantage.

‘I’d channel all my anxiety into theater. Everything had to be just perfect,’ she emphasized. ‘That’s not always a good thing; I probably burnt a lot of bridges.’

She attributes her perfectionism to having well-respected parents in the entertainment industry.

Maude, older sister to Iris Apatow, 19, explained: ‘I try not to think about that so much, but it definitely drives me. I feel like I really need to prove myself, so I work extra hard.’

The talented TV sensation also noted that she looks to her screenwriter father for guidance.

In fact, he directed her in her first-ever film credits, as she appeared in his 2007 movie Knocked Up and 2009’s Funny People, which both starred her mom.

Judd has encouraged his firstborn to do more than act. ‘My dad always told me acting is tough because you never know what’s going to come next. He always encouraged me to write,’ Maude shared.

The breakout star revealed, ‘Dad always reads what I write, but I have to be at a certain point. I’ll wait until I’m almost done and then get notes from him. I get annoyed because he’ll come up with a better idea, but he’s super-helpful.’

While she’s gearing up to shoot the third and final season of showrunner Sam Levinson’s Euphoria, the show that rocketed her to fame, she’s got other projects in the pipeline.

Among them is a ‘dark comedy,’ which she’ll write and star in for the streaming giant Netflix.

As a writer, she says, ‘I’m always hard on myself. Sometimes I get in my head and think, “Why would anyone want to hear what I have to say?” Then I tell myself, it doesn’t matter, it’s just entertainment.

‘I try to clear my head of any of those thoughts. You can’t constantly judge yourself: it’s such a creativity killer.’

And as she practices more self-awareness, Apatow noted that she is ‘trying to take it easier on myself.’

It was prompted by ‘a really bad infection’ she endured in 2020, which saw her become hospitalized for a brief stint.

‘I wish I could say I meditate. I don’t, but I’m trying not to run myself into the ground so much. I’m trying to judge myself less,’ she added.

Getting back to Euphoria, the dramatic series that also stars Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Zendaya, Maude experienced a swift rise to notoriety.

‘After season one came out, it was kind of crazy. Then season two comes and it gets even crazier, I can’t get my head around it… but I’m so glad that people like it,’ she said.

Season three of the show will premiere sometime next year.

Aside from her busy career, the young star also has a flourishing love life, and was spotted on Monday with rumored new boyfriend Patrick Gibson, 27, as they arrived at JFK Airport in New York City.

Maude looked comfortable while traveling, wearing an oversized grey Supreme hoodie, black sweatpants and black sneakers.

She accessorized her look with a Louis Vuitton purse, and went natural for the day, showing off her flawless complexion with no makeup.

She pulled her brunette tresses into a comfortable bun, and shielded her eyes from the sun with black sunglasses as the pair made their way outside.

Meanwhile the Irish actor wore a black sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and Nike sneakers.

It’s currently unknown how long the duo have been seeing each other.

Apatow was rumored to be dating author Sam Koppelman, 26, earlier this year, after being spotted with him while attending a basketball game on January 20.

Prior to that she was linked to Lukas Gage, who played Tyler in Euphoria’s first season, as well as other Euphoria co-star Angus Cloud.