Sofia Coppola Responds To Daughter Romy’s Viral TikTok

Acclaimed director Sofia Coppola is finally speaking out on her daughter Romy Mars’ viral TikTok video.

Coppola told The Hollywood Reporter that the video was “not what she had hoped for” and that she did not appreciate how the video led to the comment section questioning her parenting style. The director said “I got a lot of compliments on her filmmaking. And comedy. She’s funny. But people discussing my parenting publicly is not what I would’ve hoped for.”

Romy shared a TikTok video in which she invited viewers to “make vodka sauce and pasta” with her while she was grounded. Mars further shared that she was grounded over attempting to charter a helicopter from New York to Maryland so that she could have dinner with a friend from camp.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Romy Mars (L) and Sofia Coppola arrives at the Marc Jacobs fashion show at the Park Avenue Armory on February 12, 2020 in New York City. — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Romy Mars (L) and Sofia Coppola arrives at the Marc Jacobs fashion show at the Park Avenue Armory on February 12, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

She went on to share that her parents did not allow their children to have social media, hence her TikTok appearance was the ultimate form of rebellion. In the viral video, Mars shares that her parents did not want her to become a nepo baby, and claimed that her parents were “never home”. She additionally referred to her babysitter and babysitter’s boyfriend as her “replacement parents.”

Social Media Response

Commenters initially responded largely positively to Mars’ TikTok, finding it endearing how self aware she was.

romy mars stan

— french keyboard ???? (@shrekswifey2) August 25, 2023

Some continued to criticize Coppola’s parenting, stating that she should have been more present in Romy’s life.

If you don’t want people to comment on your parenting you should be a present parent

— inga gilbert (@ingughh) August 25, 2023

Elsewhere, some focus in on Coppola’s other comments from her recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Coppola notably focuses on films that center young women’s narratives.

“When my daughters say that their friends like my work, it makes me happy. I started making my work to speak to young women, and so it makes me happy that it still connects with them.” – Sofia Coppola for Vanity Fair pic.twitter.com/3Q2SZS4V1y

— Sofia Coppola Updates (@CoppolaUpdates) August 25, 2023

Coppola’s latest project, “Priscilla”, is based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me.” Last year, Baz Luhrman’s “Elvis” biopic starring Austin Butler became an Oscar contender, but scarcely featured the late singer’s relationship with Priscilla.

The upcoming film will allegedly not feature any music from Elvis, and the soundtrack will be curated by Coppola’s husband Thomas Mars and his indie rock band Phoenix.

Sofia Coppola’s ‘PRISCILLA’ will have a “anachronistic soundtrack” largely contributed by Coppola’s husband, Thomas Mars, & his indie pop-rock band Phoenix.

The film will not feature any music from Elvis Presley.https://t.co/XE6skJ1jPG pic.twitter.com/Yp7mUf5gqw

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 24, 2023

Critics of Elvis were excited to see the film would distance itself from his music. The legendary performer has long been accused of stealing his musical stylings from Black artists and not giving them credit. Additionally, Presley pursued a relationship with 14 year-old Priscilla when he was 24 years old. The age gap has been widely condemned by contemporary culture critics.

No, it’s called making a smart creative decision.

— The Moonlight Warrior ???? (@BlackMajikMan90) August 24, 2023

phoenix??? oh we won!!!

— ras ali (@rasalistair) August 24, 2023

oh i think im gonna like this. that feels very intentional

— illustrata (@illustrata_ai) August 24, 2023

The film intends to highlight Priscilla’s perspective on the shocking journey into the entertainment industry underbelly as a young teenager. Despite the film’s more critical look at Elvis, Priscilla Presley herself has given it her stamp of approval.

Sofia Coppola on her daughter Romy's viral TikTok video about being grounded: "We were raised to be so private and social media is so the opposite of how I grew up. So it was the best way for her to be rebellious" https://t.co/roZVedk2JG

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 25, 2023

Romy Mars is yet to comment further on helicoptergate, and continues to stay off of social media. “Priscilla” hits theaters on October 27.