Hilaria Baldwin denies being a “nepo” wife and claims she was able to appear on Dancing with the Stars without the help of husband Alec Baldwin.
“If he called me, it would be easier for me, but I wouldn’t feel entitled to the call,” she said on Tuesday’s episode of the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast.
“I’m a hard worker. I want to make money on my own, especially since anyone who marries a celebrity would be criticized…”
“Nepo’s wife,” host Amanda Hirsch called out, and Hilaria, 41, agreed.
“That’s right. It makes you feel like you’re not making any money. It’s just a horrible feeling. Especially as a Capricorn, it’s a horrible feeling,” the 41-year-old added.
Hilaria went on to point out that “one of the things that drives Alec crazy” about her is how “independent” she is, even when doing something as simple as opening a door for him.
Still, “he’s very proud and very supportive,” she continued. “Alec has always been very supportive of my work.”
In fact, the “Lust” actor has been so supportive that he encouraged her to join the cast for season 34, as he has wanted her to be on DWTS for “a very long time.”
However, she revealed some hesitation as she felt that “no one would want to take[her]there.”
However, she had a change of heart when she was approached by production, posted a dance video on social media, and people “expressed it for her online.”
The “30 Rock” alum had an “I told you so” moment when she was chosen for Season 34.
“But I’m glad it happened the way it did,” she said. “It was very organic.”
The host of the Growing Up Together podcast also spoke about the backlash she has received for her ballroom dancing background.
“Apparently, it happens every year. So when it started happening again, my biggest fear was that if I do this, people will be like, ‘You don’t belong here.’ And I’m like, ‘I just want to dance, so I’m going to work hard.’ ”
She also revealed her bond with co-star and “Mormon Wife Secrets” star Whitney Leavitt, but received similar backlash due to her extensive dance background.
However, most of the time she tries to “ignore” the hate and focus on the “positive”.
Last month, Hilaria exclusively told Page Six how the ABC show has been “healing” for her family after a “tough” few years.
“As a mom, I think there’s a lot of guilt about taking time for yourself. I think mothers of children who are older and more experienced than me would want to say, ‘Well, you definitely need ‘me time’ to be a better mom,” she said. And this is one of the first things I’ve ever done that is truly “me time”. ”
Hilaria and Alec married in 2012 and have seven children: Carmen, 12, Rafael, 10, Leonardo, 9, Romeo, 6, Eduardo, 5, Maria, 5, and Ilaria, 3.