‘Call us nepo babies:’ Robbie Jaworski, Angelina Cruz get real about privilege and pressure

From iconic sports and political families to showbiz royalty, the stars of “The Alibi” discuss why they’re owning their labels while carving their own paths. 

There’s no tiptoeing around it: Robbie Jaworski and Angelina Cruz know exactly what people call them—nepo babies. 

Instead of pretending the label doesn’t exist, the two young actors meet it head-on, with honesty and a clear understanding of what comes with their last names.

Robbie is the son of former actress-equestrian Mikee Cojuangco and former basketball player-politician Dodot Jaworski, and the grandson of basketball icon Robert “The Big J” Jaworski. Angelina, meanwhile, is one of three daughters of actors Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano.

The cards they were given

Fresh from their stint in the mystery-romance series “The Alibi,” both are well aware that being born into influential families opens doors—but staying in the room is another story.

“The word ‘nepo baby’ is thrown around so loosely that you don’t really know what it means anymore,” Robbie said. “If I’m a nepo baby because I was born into an influential family, then by all means, I’m a nepo baby. These are the cards we were given.”

What matters to him, he added, is how those cards are played. “My goal is to use it to bless myself, bless others, and bless the people around me.”

Angelina is just as direct. “I don’t deny it,” she said. “I was born into an influential family with parents who are actors, and I can’t deny that it helped me hone my craft and get opportunities.”

But privilege, she pointed out, comes with weight. “The pressure is very real. People have very high expectations for us.”

Pressure, expectations, and risk

“There’s pressure, hardship, expectations, risks,” Robbie added. “There’s a lot to lose when you put yourself out there.”

Still, both hope the conversation can grow more nuanced. “It would be nice if people could appreciate nepo babies who are trying to work and live life the right way,” Robbie said.

Projects like “The Alibi” helped them realize that acting isn’t just something expected of them—it’s something they genuinely love. “We found our passion through this project,” Robbie shared. “The successes feel more fulfilling when you know what it took to get there.”

For Angelina, the mindset moving forward is simple: do the work. “I’ll continue to work on my craft and carve my path,” she said, adding that while she’s grateful for her parents’ advice, “the path I’m carving is still my own.”

Legacy, for both, isn’t about comparison. Robbie recalled growing up with values centered on “God, country, and family,” saying honoring a legacy means “spreading love and keeping your integrity.”

Angelina agreed. “Doing hard work and putting in good work—that’s contributing to the family’s legacy,” she said, adding that service to Filipinos, in whatever form, matters, too.

Transformative experience on “The Alibi”

The experience of working on “The Alibi” proved transformative, especially for Angelina, whose first taping day nearly overwhelmed her. “I was so nervous I almost fainted,” she recalled. Veteran co-stars Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino stepped in with reassurance—advice she said helped her find her footing as the days went on.

For Robbie, it was his first time facing the camera as an actor. “I was really nervous at first,” he admitted. “But the more reps you get, the more comfortable you become.” Being surrounded by seasoned actors like John Arcilla, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Romnick Sarmenta, he said, accelerated that growth.

Defining success on their own terms

What also helped was how he and Angelina supported each other during emotionally heavy scenes—breaking moments down, sharing perspectives, and grounding each other when exhaustion crept in.

Asked to describe each other, Angelina doesn’t hesitate: “Generous—with help, patience, and emotions.” Robbie laughed, agreeing, before adding, “You’re actually very lively. When you get excited.”

Call it chemistry, collaboration, or two young actors learning on the job. Whatever label people choose to give them—nepo babies included—Robbie and Angelina are focused on the same thing: doing the work, honoring where they come from, and deliberately making something their own.

 

 

The word ‘nepo baby’ is thrown around so loosely that you don’t really know what it means anymore. If I’m a nepo baby because I was born into an influential family, then by all means, I’m a nepo baby. These are the cards we were given.

Robbie Jaworski

 

 

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