Jamie Lever, daughter of legendary comedian Johnny Lever, recently addressed the nepotism discourse in Bollywood, firmly distancing herself from the label of a “nepo kid.” In an interview with Zoom, Jamie reflected on her path in the industry, emphasizing that while she is the child of an actor, her journey has been carved by auditions, rejections, and relentless persistence.
“There’s a vast gap between being an actor’s child and a nepo kid,” she remarked. Jamie believes that true “nepo kids” often receive opportunities without proving themselves, while she has had to earn her roles through effort and resilience.
Jamie also recalled her father’s candid advice, urging her to be exceptional if she wished to pursue showbiz. “He told me, ‘If you’re entering this industry, be the best — or don’t bother at all.’” She stressed that some individuals are handed lead roles effortlessly, but for her, each step has demanded training, dedication, and perseverance.
Johnny Lever, a revered figure in Indian comedy with over 300 film credits, built his career from stand-up stages to big screens. Jamie, meanwhile, has appeared in films like Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, Housefull 4, and Crakk, while gaining online fame for her celebrity impressions.
Currently, she’s set to take her talent global with The Jamie Lever Show, a comedy tour across 15 U.S. cities starting August 1 in Seattle and concluding in Boston on August 31.