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They lit up the Grammys and walked away with major wins – but Olivia Dean and Lola Young are no strangers to the spotlight.
Born into families with deep creative ties, these British nepo babies have been linked to circles most people can only dream of.
From powerful industry connections to stages that now stretch worldwide, their rise to fame has always seemed almost destined.
At just 26 and 25, respectively, they are quickly becoming ones to watch.
As they continue to make waves in the entertainment industry, there is just one question on everyone’s mind: Who are these nepo babies, and who are their famous connections?
Here, the Daily Mail takes a look.
They lit up the Grammys and walked away with major wins – but Olivia Dean and Lola Young are no strangers to the spotlight (pictured Olivia)
Born into families with deep creative ties, these British nepo babies have been linked to circles most people only dream of (Pictured Lola)
Lola Young
Lola clinched her first-ever Grammy win at the US awards ceremony on Sunday, walking away with the Best Pop Solo Performance prize.
The British artist, 25, won the award for her hit single Messy, which triumphed over Justin Bieber’s Daisies, Lady Gaga’s Disease, Sabrina Carpenter’s Manchild and Chappell Roan’s The Subway.
‘I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much,’ the singer said while accepting her award on stage.
Lola has been working in the industry for years, but fans only discovered last year that she has a surprising family connection.
Her aunt is none other than Julia Donaldson.
Julia, 77, is the renowned author behind the beloved children’s book The Gruffalo and many other best-selling titles.
She is a Scottish author who first found success in the late ’90s and went on to become the Children’s Laureate from 2011 to 2013.
Before her breakthrough as a writer, she penned songs for children’s TV, showcasing her storytelling talents through music.
Lola clinched her first-ever Grammy win at the US awards ceremony on Sunday, walking away with the Best Pop Solo Performance prize
Lola has been working in the industry for years, but fans only discovered last year that she has a surprising family connection – her aunt is Julia Donaldson
Now based in West Sussex, Julia was awarded an MBE in 2011 for her contributions to literature.
In March 2025, Lola addressed the allegations that she’s a ‘nepo baby’ or an ‘industry plant’ as she appeared on Capital Buzz.
Capital host Sam Pearce asked the rising star: ‘Something that happens any time an artist blows up, the term industry plant gets thrown around, and obviously people have no idea that you’ve been working since 2019. How do you feel about that term?’
Hitting back at the ‘losers that comment rubbish’, Lola quipped: ‘No, they don’t know, otherwise they wouldn’t be saying that. I think it is just the most stupid term.
‘I think there are cases of industry plants but so what? It doesn’t mean they’re not talented and it doesn’t take away from anything.
‘People are saying I’m a nepo baby because my great Aunt wrote The Gruffalo. I mean what kind of rubbish is that?’
She continued: ‘I have so much to say on that which I can’t even talk about. But I’m not a nepo baby, I’m not an industry plant, there we go I said it.
‘I’ve cleared that up for all those losers that want to comment rubbish on the internet. Just find something better to do, you’re sad, you’re lonely.
Julia is a Scottish author, who first found success in the late ‘90s and went on to become the Children’s Laureate from 2011 to 2013
‘The thing is industry plant is just a term for other artists and other people to use who just don’t know what they’re doing in life and feel upset that someone else is having their moment.
‘And if you are an industry plant, you’re not going to have your moment for that long, unfortunately.
‘And maybe sometimes you will, it just doesn’t matter, none of these things matter. If someone’s got talent, then they’ve got talent.’
She then clarified: ‘Yeah, and I’m also not an industry plant at all by the way.’
Sam responded: ‘I also feel people have this false idea because you went to the BRIT School, that the BRIT School just churns out stars left right and centre.’
Shutting it down again, Lola said: ‘They actually don’t and it’s a normal school and I went to a really like rough school before that and you have to audition to get in.’
Lola’s career skyrocketed thanks to her viral hit Messy, which topped the charts and took over TikTok in 2024.
She began writing songs at just 11 years old and won a national open mic competition by 13.
Lola’s career skyrocketed thanks to her viral hit Messy, which topped the charts and took over TikTok in 2024 (pictured at Wildlands Festival on January 4)
She honed her craft at the prestigious Brit School in Croydon, known for producing stars like Adele and Amy Winehouse.
Fans may also recognise her voice from the 2021 John Lewis Christmas advert, The Unexpected Guest.
She made history as the youngest British female artist to score a solo number-one single since Dua Lipa’s New Rules in 2017.
Her success has continued to grow, with sold-out UK and US tours, a debut at Coachella, and getting listed on Forbes 30 Under 30.
Now signed to Island Records, Lola is backed by some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Her debut album, My Mind Wanders And Sometimes Leaves Completely, was released in 2023, followed by This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway and her latest project I’m Only F**king Myself.
Olivia Dean
Olivia, 26, confirmed her status as one of pop’s biggest breakout stars by winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist
Born and raised in Highams Park, north-east London, Olivia knew she wanted to be a singer from an early age
Olivia, 26, confirmed her status as one of pop’s biggest breakout stars by winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Thanks to her romantic pop songs like Man I Need and So Easy (To Fall In Love), she came out on top, making her the first Brit to win the award since Dua Lipa in 2019.
Accepting her award on stage, she said: ‘I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant.
‘I’m a product of bravery and I think those people ought to be celebrated.
‘We’re nothing without each other.’
Born and raised in Highams Park, north-east London, Olivia knew she wanted to be a singer from an early age.
This was after watching her cousin, the rapper and actor Ashley Walters, succeed from afar.
Ashley, 43, rose to fame as a member of the UK garage group So Solid Crew, who reached the top spot on the UK charts in 2001 with their second single, 21 Seconds.
Olivia’s cousin, the rapper and actor Ashley Walters, rose to fame as a member of the UK garage group So Solid Crew, who reached the top spot on the UK charts in 2001 with 21 Seconds
In 2025, he played Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the Netflix series Adolescence.(pictured with Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, Hannah Walters and Stephen Graham)
As for acting, he is best known for portraying drug dealer Dushane in five series of the British crime drama Top Boy (2011–2023).
In 2025, he played Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the Netflix series Adolescence.
For his performance, he was nominated for the 2025 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Olivia’s parents further nurtured her love of music, introducing her to a broad range of artists, from Jill Scott to Joni Mitchell.
When she turned 14, she won a place at The BRIT School, an achievement she thanked her mum for.
She told Rolling Stone: ‘She was always like, “You can do whatever you want to do,”‘ Dean recalls proudly.
‘And I think that’s a really important message for a child.
‘So I’ve always thought that if I want to do something and I just keep saying I’m going to do it, then I can just do it.’
Over the last six years, Olivia’s fame has soared (pictured in 2025)
Olivia studied musical theatre during her first two years at BRIT before joining Rex Orange County, Black Midi and Raye on the music strand.
For her final showcase, Olivia was approached by her now manager, who put her name forward for a backing singer for Rudimental.
Following this, the star was accepted to study popular music at Goldsmiths, but quit after three weeks.
Over the last six years, Olivia’s fame has soared.
Her debut EP, OK Love You Bye, came out in November 2019.
At the time, she set herself three goals: to release an album, perform with Jools Holland and play at Glastonbury.
In 2023, she achieved all three, with her debut record Messy shortlisted for the Mercury Prize.
In October 2025, she was the first female solo artist to have four singles in the UK Top Ten at the same time.
Looking to the future, in March 2025 Olivia told The One Show: ‘Next I’d like to do Bond.’
She is also the first British woman since Adele in 2021 to top the album and singles charts simultaneously.
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Lola Young returns to the stage for the first time since cancelling her tour

Her record, The Art Of Loving, and No1 tune, Man I Need, secured her a place in music history.
While she’s rumoured to have had relationships with the likes of Harry Styles and Eddie Burns, her no-nonsense approach has become a hit with fans.
In July, the star insisted: ‘I don’t feel like I need to be in a relationship to survive,’ adding: ‘I don’t take any s*** from people.
‘Definitely not as much as I would have when I was younger.
‘I know my worth and how I deserve to be loved. I have no time for b******t.’
Looking to the future, in March 2025 Olivia told The One Show: ‘Next I’d like to do Bond.’
