Maya Hawke and Ethan Hawke are the adorable father-daughter duo who have set relationship goals on and off-screen. Wildcat, the film which Ethan directed, has Maya in a leading role and their work vibes received a lot of attention from fans. The duo were recently interviewed by Variety and we got some interesting insights into their unique father-daughter equation. Turns out that Maya tried calling her dad by his name during the Wildcat shoot, but received alarming reactions to her choice, so she went back to calling him Dad. That’s just a taste of the interesting dynamic that exists between the two in what can best be described as a relationship to watch and learn from.
“We’re Like The Boring, Indie Kardashians”
The daughter-father duo has very similar tastes, styles, sense of humour, and skills in general. They seemed like friends who knew each other well and completed the other’s statements and stories. They were even dressed alike for the shoot and have often done so on set too. “The dynamic is playful. In Maya, there’s no trace of an eye-rolling 20-something embarrassed by her dad” reported Rebecca Rubin, the author of the article.
“He Helped Coach Me, And The Idea Kept Floating Around”
Maya wrote a monologue based on O’Connor’s “A Prayer Journal” and sent a copy of the text to her dad. She confessed that he coached her and it was the same monologue that got her accepted to Julliard. Ethan’s immediate reply to that was, “Famous parents can help you get an audition, but they’re not going to get you in.” Maya clearly looks up to Ethan and takes notes from him “my dad has been a massive teacher for me, and we want to work together. We like being with each other.” But he still allows her individuality to shine through. He reiterates that Wildcat, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival recently, was all Maya’s idea.
“Put Simply, I’m A Nepo Dad!”
Ethan joked about being a nepo dad and Maya was instantly concerned about his remark. “Isn’t it a common thing for parents to embarrass their kids with such remarks and comments? Ethan was quick to explain his viewpoint though, “If someone wants to criticize us for working together, that’s totally fair. You have to let people have their opinion. You just have to try to do a good job when you’re onstage.” But Ethan was quick to explain the perils of the industry to Maya and her brother, both of whom are actors, acquainting them with the pressures that fame and celebrity early on.
Was Raised On A Balanced Diet Of “Hannah Montana And Nashville”
Just like many of the millennials who were raised watching Hannah Montana and other classics, Maya too grew up “ordinary,” despite her famous parents. “I’ve met kids who grew up in entertainment industry families and didn’t get to go to Disney World,” quipped Maya. For the Hawkes, sheltering the kids from society was just not worth it. “The worst-case scenario is you have to take a picture with someone,” Maya says. “That’s a way more normal event than you not interacting with society at all.”
Aren’t we convinced that Maya and Ethan Hawke are just like any other father-daughter duo.