Richard Branson’s son Sam, 37, launches music career on Lorraine amid nepotism claims
The son of billionaire ex-Virgin mogul Richard Branson has ignited a nepotism row after appearing on ITV to launch his music career.
Sam Branson, who counts Ed Sheeran as a friend and fan, appeared on Lorraine today to celebrate the release of his new song.
The 37-year-old, whose musical alter-ego is Waves Rush In, said he ‘plucked up the courage’ to pursue his dream of becoming a pop star after 30 years.
But the former adventurer and filmmaker was slammed by viewers after appearing on the show amid accusations of nepotism – as he tried to win fans over with a competition to stay on his private island in Bali if they pre-ordered his album.
Sam’s latest career has received the strong backing of his father Sir Richard – who founded Virgin Records – with the tycoon posting a picture of his son playing the guitar on the family’s private island, saying: ‘I’m so proud of Sam.’
Sam Branson, son of billionaire former Virgin Records mogul Sir Richard Branson, launched his music career today during an interview with Lorraine on ITV
The 37-year-old, whose musical alter-ego is Waves Rush In, said he ‘plucked up the courage’ to pursue his dream of becoming a pop star after 30 years. He is pictured with Lorraine
But the former adventurer and filmmaker was slammed by viewers after appearing on the show amid accusations of nepotism.
Sam, who lives in a farmhouse with his wife Isabella Amaryllis Charlotte Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe and two children, on an estate in Oxfordshire originally owned by his father, insisted his route into music had been ‘organic’ as he downplayed his connection to the rich and famous.
Sam’s father, Sir Richard Branson, founded Virgin Records and has previously championed his youngest child’s musical work. Sir Richard is pictured in 2019
The singer-songwriter told Lorraine: ‘I think it took me 30 years to pluck up the courage with my dad being in the music industry quite a long time ago.
‘I was comparing myself to the greats when I was a fledgling. I think I didn’t then give myself license to not be very good.
‘And to get good at anything you need to have that exploratory phase.
‘I think it took me 30 years to pluck up the courage and then when I hit 30 I was like “If I can’t follow my own passions how can I tell my kids to follow their dreams?”.
Lorraine asked Sam whether having a billionaire father – who was a former music mogul – was a hindrance.
Saying it ‘shouldn’t hold you back, who your dad is,’ Lorraine added: ‘A lot of people say ‘oh well, you get doors opened – you kind of do. But then you have got to be twice as good as anybody else.’
Sam said: ‘There’s a bit more pressure and I’m also kind of taking a more organic route to it. But I think at the end of the day there is nothing that gets me more inspired than songwriting.
Sam insisted he had taken an ‘organic route’ into the music industry as he downplayed his connection to the rich and famous.
Sam tried to win fans over with a competition to stay on his private island in Bali if they pre-ordered his album. He is pictured with guitar
Sam’s music has proven a hit with the likes of Ed Sheeran. Sam even claimed one fan had tattooed some of the lyrics to his tracks on their arm (pictured).
Sir Richard – whose vast fortune shrunk by £1.8billion to £4.4billion this year – has previously championed his son’s music career, celebrating the release of Sam’s earlier work, Let It Bruise, in 2021.
In a gushing post on Facebook, the multi-billionaire wrote: ‘So proud of Sam Branson – he’s released a new song Let It Bruise. My career started working with the music industry and it fills me with so much joy seeing him write and perform his own songs.’
As well as having his wealthy father in his corner, Sam also has the backing of music royalty Ed Sheeran – a personal pal of his.
Endorsing the 37-year-old’s latest tune, the Grammy winner said the record has “all the qualities of a pop album but with real depth and such a lovely vibe.” I love the whole feel of it and Sam’s voice is captivating throughout.’
As a youngster, he grew up with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Roger Taylor of Queen as family friends.
He even has Duran Duran guitarist Dom Brown playing on his album after meeting him at the house of a mutual friend where he was jamming with Simon Le Bon and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd.
But given his close connections to music royalty, the singer-songwriters know he could face accusations of being a ‘nepo baby’ – the term used for the offspring of the rich and famous.
Ed Sheeran has voiced his support of Sam’s music saying it had ‘all the qualities of a pop album’
Sam said he has dreamed of going into the music industry for 30 years and that he finally plucked up the courage to perform.
Sam’s father Sir Richard previously championed his son’s music career, celebrating the release of Sam’s earlier work, Let It Bruise, in 2021. Sam is pictured on Lorraine today
‘I don’t think anyone in the world has been more sensitive to their position in life than myself,’ he said during an interview with The Times last month.
‘Considering the level of fame and success that my dad has had, I’m really grateful for whatever decisions my parents made: Holly and I have always felt very grounded.’
He continued: ‘I believe everything happens when the time is right and so it’s been a real journey.
‘I’m doing what people did as teenagers but as a 37-year-old dad of two. I’m just loving it.
Viewers on social media lashed out after Sam appeared on Lorraine today, as they criticized him for his famous connections.
One woman said: ‘We absolutely must not let the multi-billionaire father of Sam Branson hold him back.’
Another viewer tweeted: ‘Does Sam Branson really need a leg up from #Lorraine @lorraine when his Dad’s one of the richest men in the world?’
While a third added: ‘@sambranson how much did you pay ITV and Ed Sheeran to propel your ‘music career’?
‘Nepos are everywhere,’ quipped one person on Twitter.
Waves Rush In’s single The Man That I Am is out now; the album Under the Static on June 16.