Niecy Nash-Betts doesn't want her kids to be nepo babies and makes sure they audition for roles: 'Make 'em work for it, make 'em earn it'

Olivia Singh,Libby TorresJan 23, 2024, 07:28 IST

Insider

Dominick Nash, Donielle Nash, Niecy Nash-Betts, Jessica Betts, and Dia Nash in 2022.Araya Doheny/Getty Images

Niecy Nash-Betts told Business Insider she enjoys working with her three kids and would do it again.
The actor said that her children typically audition, and she wants them to earn their roles.

Niecy Nash-Betts' three children may occasionally work with their Emmy-winning mom, but she doesn't hand them the jobs.

"Most of the time, my kids audition. And they go up against other people," Nash-Betts told Business Insider's Libby Torres for the latest installment of our "Role Play" interview series.Nash-Betts, who's been married to Jessica Betts since 2020, shares son Dominic, 32, and daughters Donielle, 29, and Dia, 24, with ex-husband Don Nash.Dominic executive produced and starred in the series "H.E.I.R." while Nash-Betts' daughters have appeared in several TV shows, primarily projects that starred their famous mom.Donielle and Dia both had small roles on "Never Have I Ever" and "The Rookie: Feds." Dia also played Sandra Smith on "Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," Ryan Murphy's true-crime anthology series that recently earned Nash-Betts her first Primetime Emmy.

Dia Nash and Niecy Nash-Betts on the set of "The Rookie: Feds."Scott Everett White/ABC via Getty Images

"I've told everyone in anything I've ever filmed, 'You don't have to do my kids a favor. Make 'em work for it, make 'em earn it — if they win the part, that's fine. If they don't, that's fine," Nash-Betts told BI. "I'm sure they're going to audition again until they get it right."Nash-Betts said she firmly believes in her children earning their jobs."I don't ever want them to feel like you just have something because I gave it to you," she said. "You got to work for it."

The "Origin" star said she enjoys working with her kids and would happily collaborate again.

"At some point in our lives I've worked with all of them and I love it," she said. "I love bringing your family to work day.""I mean, what's not to love — you get to do what you love around the people you love, and get money," she added. "Come on!"

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Niecy Nash-Betts doesn't want her kids to be nepo babies and makes sure they audition for roles: 'Make 'em work for it, make 'em earn it'