Sombr has shut down rumours suggesting he is a “nepo baby”.
In an interview for the October 2026 issue of ELLE magazine, the Back to Friends singer – real name Shane Boose – rejected claims that his parents have celebrity connections.
Sombr’s father, Andy Boose, works in event planning, while his mother, Bennah Serfaty, is a PR executive at The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR).
“I will forever respect my dad and my mom. I’m so f**king proud of them, because to devote your life to something like that is so incredible and important,” he told the outlet. “To think that that could help me get signed or become a big artist because my dad devotes his life to fight AIDS is just incredibly insane.”
Sombr went on to argue that it’s not fair that so many artists are labelled as “nepo babies” – the term used to refer to a person who has seemingly benefitted from a parent’s celebrity or wealth when entering their chosen field.
“Every time I see an artist blow up, I’m like, ‘Okay, this artist is great. I love them so much. They’re so talented.’ Three months later, somehow, they’re a nepo baby,” the 21-year-old continued.
Elsewhere in the conversation, the Undressed star admitted he doesn’t like being called “famous”.
“It’s just f**king lame,” he exclaimed. “It’s self-centred to call yourself famous. I don’t even think of it as a positive thing. How can I describe being in the spotlight when I don’t always want to be seen?”
Sombr released his debut studio album, I Barely Know Her, in August 2025.
He is next due to perform a tribute to the late George Michael alongside RAYE and Teddy Swims at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday night.
