Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s son Deacon Phillippe has received a rude reception after giving a tour of his expensive New York City apartment.
The 20-year-old actor – who is currently studying music at the prestigious New York University – admitted this TikTok star Caleb Simpson films the interior of his apartment for his latest video.
But viewers were put off by the size and supposed price of the device, which Deacon dismissed questions about.
Some commenters also assumed that the apartment was so expensive that his parents would have to pay for it.
Fans and critics alike have called celebrity offspring a “nepo baby,” a term that has become fashionable referring to the children of celebrities and powerful people.
‘Nepo baby’: Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s son Deacon Phillippe was criticized by social media commentators for his lavish New York apartment after he was coy about its price, leading them to assume his wealthy parents pay his rent
Deacon shares his two-level home with two roommates, both of whom are also NYU students, but he was coy when asked how much he pays for rent in a prime location loved by the likes of Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker.
“West Village prices, man,” he replied before welcoming Simpson inside.
Simpson captioned his post with, “Location: West Village. Occupation: Student,” referring to Deacon.
However, Instagram users were annoyed that Simpson did not highlight Deacon’s unusual position as the son of two successful actors, and the extreme family wealth that would come with that position in life.
“Occupation: rich,” wrote one mocking commentator.
Another reminded Simpson: “Um, this is Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s son. Please don’t try to portray him as a normal student.’
Another person wasn’t as concerned, saying it was “nice” to see a celebrity’s son in a “somewhat normal apartment.”
“Yes, it’s nice, but it’s not overly extravagant or huge and he has roommates,” they added.
Not a ‘normal student’: Several viewers of the clip were outraged that TikTok star Caleb Simpson didn’t reference Deacon’s famous parents or the family fortune that may have paid for the apartment
On easy street: Others noted that his mother Reese has been named the world’s ‘richest self-made actress’ by Forbes
However, this analysis appears to downplay the size of the multi-story unit and ignores the fact that Deacon’s apartment is located in New York City, which has one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.
In the video he appears to have his own bedroom, and if his two roommates also each have a separate bedroom, the apartment would have at least three bedrooms.
Three-bedroom apartments in the area easily cost more than $5,000 per month on the low end (after agent fees, security deposit, rent for the last month of the lease, and moving expenses), but several apartments of comparable size and opulence to Deacon’s rental price cost as much . as $20,000 – or more – according to several rental websites.
“I want to be a nepo baby (crying emojis),” another commenter whined.
One person found it comical that Deacon only vaguely described his rent as “West Village prices…” rather than providing a more specific picture of his monthly obligation.
But another person suggested he wasn’t trying to be coy, but was instead ignorant.
“He doesn’t even know how much his parents pay, that’s insane,” they wrote.
Another person described him as a “trust fund baby,” while a commenter urged Simpson to add to his “caption” that Deacon was “the child of the richest actress in Hollywood.”
Earlier this year, Forbes called Reese the “richest self-made actress” in the world due to her $440 million fortune.
One viewer of the clip suggested that Simpson should have asked Deacon instead, “How much does Reese Witherspoon pay for your rent?”
Come on in! Reese Witherspoon’s son Deacon Phillippe gave a tour of his student apartment in New York City’s expensive West Village neighborhood this week
Exclusive: The 20-year-old actor – who is currently studying music at the prestigious New York University – had TikTok star Caleb Simpson film the interior for his latest video
In the apartment tour video, Simpson and Phillippe entered through the front door into the kitchen, which has been upgraded with stainless steel appliances.
A black spiral staircase is centrally located in the apartment, with dark wooden floors and a trendy brick accent wall.
High ceilings give the apartment a spacious feeling.
Deacon proudly showed off the vinyl records on display in the living room, as well as his plant ‘Darryl’, which sits in a bright yellow pot next to a comfortable chair.
There is lots of funky artwork and furniture that gives the apartment a retro vibe.
Deacon then moved the tour upstairs so he could give Simpson a look at his room that doubles as a music studio.
He has a gigantic bed and lots of music equipment along the walls.
Deacon – whose father is actor Ryan Phillippe – has a full-size keyboard, recording setup, Mac computer and more to bring his music to life.
He took a quick look at the kitchen, including a look at the items in the refrigerator.
After Simpson shared the video on TikTok on Tuesday, Deacon joked that filming the tour made me “late to class.”
Deacon graduated from Mountain High School in June 2022 and began studying music at NYU that fall.
During the first year, Deacon lived in a student house on campus, which he regularly showed on his Instagram at the time.
NYU has an excellent music department at their high school, the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Wow! There is a black spiral staircase in the center of the apartment
Display: Deacon proudly displayed the vinyl records on display in the living room
There are dark wooden floors and a trendy brick accent wall
Funky: There is a lot of funky artwork and furniture that gives the apartment a retro look
Kitchen: The front door opens into the kitchen
It has been upgraded with stainless steel appliances
Groceries: He stopped to take a look at the stuff in the refrigerator
Deacon’s room: Deacon then moved the tour upstairs so he could give Simpson a look at his room that doubles as a music studio
He has a gigantic bed and lots of music equipment along the walls
Bathroom: The bathroom is small but sufficient for a student
Proud mom: Deacon remained coy when asked how much he pays for rent in a prime location loved by the likes of Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker. Earlier this year, Reese told PEOPLE that dropping her kids off at college means she’s “done (my) job right.”
Last year, Deacon’s father Ryan attended AND about how ‘proud’ he is of Deacon for pursuing higher education.
‘He’s about to go to music school. That is his primary focus. The acting he likes to do, and he will do it depending on what he feels like doing, but his main focus is on music,” the Cruel Intentions star said.
His mother Reese shared a similar sentiment earlier this year, as she shared PEOPLE that dropping her kids off at college means she’s done (my) job well.
‘And I’m so proud of my children. They are thriving in the world and I am so happy for them,” she said.
Deacon’s sister Ava, 24, is also a West Coast student at the University of California, Berkeley.