Levi McConaughey Addresses Nepo-Baby Pressure as He Joins The Lost Bus Cast
In a People cover story, 17-year-old Levi Alves McConaughey discusses ownership, identity, and navigating Hollywood with his father’s help but on his own terms.
Levi Alves McConaughey, 17, is speaking about nepo baby pressure and privilege as he steps into his first major screen role in The Lost Bus, a survival drama directed by Paul Greengrass. In a People cover story published this week, the LA-born teen said doors may open because of lineage, but the work to prove himself is his to own. 'As much as people can say, 'Oh, you got this because of your father or your mother,' they can open the door, but then it's going to be up to me to do my thing once I get in there. That's on me,' he said.
Matthew McConaughey, 55, helped lean on relationships to secure Levi’s casting as Shaun, the son of his character Kevin McKay, in The Lost Bus. The actor described Levi as having 'the performative bug' before the taped audition, and he has sought to balance support with guidance. 'There's a line between entitlement and shame. If you can look it right in the eye and deal with it, and if it works out, you'll see, it's a hell of a roller coaster,' McConaughey said of the teenager navigating fame. The mentorship line reflects a broader theme in the family’s approach to Hollywood, balancing opportunity with accountability.
Levi recalled that he had to badger his father four times to help coach him through his taped audition for the role of Shaun. Director Paul Greengrass quickly greenlit the tape once he saw Levi’s read, and the young actor described a challenging though rewarding dynamic on set, including a tough scene with his dad. The Lost Bus marks a high-profile collaboration for the family, with Matthew McConaughey’s real-life mother Kay cast as his character’s mother in the 129-minute survival drama, which centers on a mother’s effort to rescue 22 schoolchildren during the 2018 Camp Fire.
Jamie Lee Curtis produced The Lost Bus, which also stars America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, and Ashlie Atkinson. It begins streaming October 3 on Apple TV+. The film is the big-screen adaptation of Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 book Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire. On Rotten Tomatoes, it carries a certified fresh 87% from 55 reviews, underscoring a positive critical reception ahead of its streaming rollout.
Levi’s entry into acting comes after a decade-plus around film sets. He spent his first 15 years in Hollywood without intending to follow in his father’s footsteps, a stance that began to soften around the time his younger life began. McConaughey noted that it would be a privilege if his children chose to pursue acting, but emphasized that it should not define them. 'What a great industry to try to make it in if you can,' he said, adding that it was important for Levi to maintain ownership of who he is beyond his career.
On the practical side, Levi has already built a public-facing profile, including a growing Instagram/TikTok following—about 449,000 combined—along with a variety of interests such as surfing, tennis, and making music. His motivation to work in the industry is paired with a sense of responsibility to stay grounded and discern between authentic material and hype.
The McConaughey family remains active in various corners of the industry. Levi’s brotherly and sisterly life includes 15-year-old daughter Vida and 12-year-old son Livingston, from Matthew’s long-running marriage to Camila Alves. Levi’s early entry into the business included a first job as cash-for-catering in his father’s movie sets, followed by a recent acting appearance in a Father’s Day-themed Lincoln car commercial. The younger McConaughey has described his father with affection—referring to him as 'Papai'—and the family dynamic has often been highlighted in coverage of their collaborations.
Looking ahead, Matthew McConaughey remains active in multiple projects beyond The Lost Bus. He is slated to star in Andrew Patterson's crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King and Nic Pizzolatto’s untitled Netflix project about brothers, as well as a Mike Hammer film. He is also attached to Apple TV+’s ten-episode comedy Brother from Another Mother with Woody Harrelson and a big-screen adaptation of the Wisdom Tree video game Exodus. Aided by his own public profile and industry connections, McConaughey has emphasized that opportunities can open doors, but sustained success will depend on the work delivered on screen and the choices made off it.
The Lost Bus arrives as a notable case study in how celebrity lineage intersects with a young actor’s development. Levi’s remarks reflect a broader conversation around nepotism, merit, and personal identity in contemporary entertainment. As the film expands its audience on Apple TV+, the response to Levi’s performance—alongside the movie’s reception—will likely contribute to ongoing discussions about how much weight legacy should carry in the evaluation of a rising actor’s career.