Nicola Peltz has another career milestone, but not everyone in Hollywood is applauding it. The 31-year-old actress accepted a Rising Star honor in Venice, and one industry insider attacked the decision as Hollywood nepotism.
Nicola Peltz’s ‘Rising Star’ award is branded ‘cringeworthy’ by an industry insider
Peltz received the Rising Star Award at the Kinéo Awards on Sept. 5 during an event held alongside the Venice Film Festival. The Kinéo Awards said Peltz has drawn growing international attention through work in front of and behind the camera.
Her résumé includes Bates Motel, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and her 2024 directorial debut, Lola. Still, one industry source told the Daily Mail the recognition was “nepotism at its absolute worst.”
The insider questioned why Peltz, 31, received a Rising Star award after acting since childhood. The source also called the situation “so cringeworthy” and pointed to her billionaire father, Nelson Peltz.
However, the outlet presented that connection as speculation. It did not report evidence that Nelson influenced the selection.
The Daily Mail said it contacted Kinéo and the Venice Film Festival about the selection process and possible Peltz family involvement. Neither organization commented.
That distinction matters because the Kinéo ceremony is not one of the Venice Film Festival’s official competition prizes. Vogue described it as an independent event that runs alongside the festival.
Peltz accepted the award with husband Brooklyn Beckham and family in attendance. During her speech, she thanked them and said they help her “reach to the stars.”
Meanwhile, Brooklyn has publicly defended his wife during online criticism. He recently told one commenter not to speak about Peltz after they targeted her appearance. Questions about Nelson Peltz and the Rising Star award now add another layer to that attention.
Peltz’s next film, Prima, pairs her with Faye Dunaway, who received a lifetime achievement honor at the same Kinéo ceremony.
For now, the award remains hers. Still, the insider backlash shows that not everyone agrees with the “Rising Star” label.
