Ryan Phillippe defends kids from ‘nepotism talk’ after son Deacon’s tour of pricey apartment goes viral

Ryan Phillippe’s kids may be following in his acting footsteps, but he doesn’t want to hear any nepo baby criticism.

The “Cruel Intentions” star shared in a new interview that he is “annoy[ed] about … nepotism talk” in Hollywood.

“So many people grow up and end up doing what their parents do to some degree or another,” Phillippe — who shares daughter Ava, 24, and son Deacon, 20, with ex-wife Reese Witherspoon as well as daughter Kai, 12, with ex-girlfriend Alexis Knapp — told “Extra” Tuesday.

Ryan Phillippe clapped back at “nepotism talk,” defending his children. ryanphillippe/Instagram The actor shares daughter Ava (left) and son Deacon (right) with ex-wife Reese Witherspoon (center). Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter He is also the father of preteen daughter Kai (third from left). ryanphillippe/Instagram

“I always get offended for the children of actors and entertainers when people bring that up because, yeah, of course, that’s what they’ve grown up around. These kids have grown up watching on set with Reese or with me. It seems natural, I think.”

The actor’s defense comes four months after Deacon sparked criticism for showing off his pricey New York City apartment on TikTok.

“Rich kids / nepo babies LOVE to avoid mentioning their extremely wealthy parents,” one user wrote at the time, while another called the college student a “trust fund baby.”

“It seems natural,” Ryan said of children following their parents’ footsteps. Getty Images for Fanatics He went on to share his hopes to act alongside Deacon in an upcoming series. Ryan Phillippe/Instagram

Deacon is pursuing a career in music, which Ryan, 49, is “insanely” proud of, but he is also acting like his parents.

Not only has Deacon appeared in “Never Have I Ever,” but he may join his dad on the set of an upcoming series soon.

“He may be … playing my character’s brother in the flashbacks, so I’m kind of excited about that possibly happening,” the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” star explained to the outlet.

The college student went viral last year for showing off his swanky NYC apartment. TikTok/@calebwsimpson Deacon, who is also a musician, made his TV debut in “Never Have I Ever.” Ava, for her part, is starting to get her “feet wet” in the industry. reesewitherspoon/Instagram

When asked whether Ava is also interested in being in front of the camera, Ryan said his eldest child is “getting her feet wet.”

He noted, “She’s taking time to kind of figure out exactly what it is she wants to do.”

Witherspoon, who is also the mother of son Tennessee, 11, with ex-husband Jim Toth, has yet to comment on the nepo baby criticism.