Hilaria Baldwin has denied being a "nepo wife"

Speaking on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast hosted by Amanda Hirsch, Hilaria said she earned her spot on the show "on her own merit" and Alec had no involvement in her casting.

She dec lared: "If he ever made a call, that would make things easier on me, I would feel like I didn't deserve it. I'm a hard worker. I want to earn things on my own merit. I think especially because anybody who marries a celebrity is going to be accused of being... ."

Host Amanda interrupted to say: "A nepo wife," to which Hilaria replied: "Right. It makes you feel like you don't earn things, which is just a horrible feeling. Especially as a Capricorn, a horrible feeling."

Hilaria said her independence sometimes frustrates Alec, adding: "One of the things that drives Alec crazy about me is how independent I am, even with simple things like opening the door for myself. He's very proud, he's very supportive. Alec is always extraordinarily supportive of me with working."

Rust actor Alec has reportedly encouraged Hilarie to take part in Dancing with the Stars for years.

His wife said he had been "wanting her to be on DWTS for a very long time" but she initially hesitated, believing "nobody was going to want to have (me) there."

She also explained she eventually changed her mind after producers approached her and fans began "manifesting it for her online" when she posted dance videos on social media.

Hilaria added: "But I am happy that it happened in the way that it happened. It was so organic."

The yoga instructor and Growing Up Together podcast host also addressed criticism that she has an advantage due to previous dance experience.

She said: "Apparently, that happens every single year. So when it started happening again, my biggest fear was doing this and people being like, 'You don't belong here.' And I'm like, 'I just want to dance and I'll work hard.'"

Hilaria and Alec, who married in 2012, share seven children - Carmen, 12, Rafael, 10, Leonardo, nine, Romeo, six, Eduardo, five, María, also five, and Ilaria, three.