In a recent Variety interview published on Tuesday, September 5, Maya Hawke shared insights into her familial connection with her father, Ethan Hawke. Maya, aged 25 and the eldest child of the renowned actor Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, humorously likened their family dynamic to that of “boring, indie Kardashians.” Her comments shed light on the unique experiences of growing up in a famous household, alongside her younger brother Levon, who is 21 years old.
Maya also playfully teased her father about his viral attempt to flirt with Rihanna during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, where he and Levon found themselves seated next to the 35-year-old pop star. Ethan humorously recalled, “I’ve been captured by the paparazzi openly flirting with Rihanna.” To which Maya added, “Openly trying to,” with a smile.
Even as they delved into the trials encountered while working on their latest film, “Wildcat,” centered around American novelist Flannery O’Connor, the father-daughter pair maintained their light-hearted banter. Ethan playfully admitted, “To put it simply, I’m a nepo dad! And I’m not ashamed of it,” before adopting a more earnest tone, stating, “If anyone wants to critique us for collaborating, that’s completely valid. People are entitled to their opinions. Our focus remains on delivering a commendable performance when we’re on set.”
Nevertheless, Maya experienced “occasional moments of self-doubt” during the production due to this dynamic. She elaborated, “The online world doesn’t always capture subtleties. My dad has been a significant mentor for me, and we genuinely desire to collaborate. We enjoy each other’s company.”
The actress has previously shared her perspective on the significant advantages her parents’ fame has afforded her and her determination not to squander her privilege. In a September 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, she expressed, “I believe the only way to navigate the nepotism factor, which undeniably provides substantial benefits in life, is to acknowledge that you’ll receive opportunities without earning them, but those opportunities won’t be endless.” She continued, “You must continue to work hard and deliver quality work. If you perform poorly, those opportunities will cease. That’s my guiding principle.”
Maya catapulted to stardom through her portrayal of Robin Buckley in the 2016 series “Stranger Things” and has since featured in prominent projects such as “Little Women” in 2017, “Do Revenge” in 2022, and “Asteroid City” in 2023. Initially, Ethan and Thurman, who is 53 years old, had reservations about her pursuing an acting career, but over time, they have become increasingly supportive.
“They had concerns about the public aspect of the acting profession and the challenges it entails,” Maya shared with The Guardian in October 2021. She continued, “They were also cautious about shielding me from being pushed into acting. Their priority was to make certain I developed a robust sense of self, a genuine passion for the craft, and a strong work ethic. They didn’t intend to usher me down every red carpet or cast me in cameo roles in their films. Once I reached an age where it was evident that these were my choices, they became incredibly supportive.”