Lola Young Denounces “Nepo Baby” Claims After VMA Debut

Lead: British singer Lola Young repudiated recent “nepo baby” rumors today after electrifying her first MTV Video Music Awards performance at UBS Arena, Long Island, calling the speculation “rubbish.”

Nut Graf: Young’s emphatic denial underscores her commitment to authenticity amid soaring fame following her viral hit Messy and VMA nominations, highlighting the artist’s struggle against unfounded industry gossip.

Performance Highlights

• Debut performance on the Extended Play Stage at the 2025 MTV VMAs, delivering a powerful rendition of Messy in front of a live audience at UBS Arena.
• Nominated for Best New Artist and Best Alternative for Messy, which topped both Billboard’s Pop Airplay and Alternative Airplay charts earlier this year.

“Nepo Baby” Claims

• In a post-performance interview, Young dismissed allegations of industry connections, stating, “I’m not a nepo baby, I’m not an industry plant, there we go I said it. I’ve cleared that up for you losers that want to comment rubbish on the internet.”
• Rumors centered on her familial ties to author Julia Donaldson, which Young mocked as baseless: “Some people are saying I’m a nepo baby because my great aunt wrote The Gruffalo. I mean what kind of rubbish is that?”

Background and Context

Lola Young, 24, rose from Beckenham’s local music scene to global recognition after Messy went viral on TikTok in 2024. Her mother works in mental health charity and her stepfather is a professional bass player, grounding her musical journey without privileged industry perks, Young affirmed.

Her debut album This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway and forthcoming release *I’m Only F**king Myself* continue to showcase her candid songwriting and energetic stage presence, cementing her status as a Gen Z pop innovator.