Action icon Sylvester Stallone, 80, has addressed the backlash concerning nepotism after casting his daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, in his crime drama, Tulsa King. Stallone responded candidly to critics questioning whether Scarlet earned her role on the show.
“First, they go, ‘Nepotism is terrible.’ I said, ‘Oh please, you’re not a good parent if you haven’t performed a little nepotism. Then obviously you don’t care about your kids, because they come first,'” Stallone stated, as reported by USA Today.
Stallone stands firm about his decisions, emphasizing parental priorities. “Of course it’s nepotism, you idiot. That’s why we’re parents. We want the best for our children. So obviously we let them have every advantage,” Stallone laughed, underlining his perspective on trying to give his children a head start.
He distinguished between offering opportunities and the individual’s own potential for success. Speaking to USA Today, he addressed the matter: “Can they maintain that level of excellence? That’s out of our hands.” Scarlet Stallone, 24, portrays Spencer in Tulsa King, taking on a larger role in the fourth season as her character gets deeply involved in a family criminal enterprise.
Alongside Scarlet are her sisters, Sophia and Sistine Stallone, born to Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin. Stallone shares three daughters with Flavin, demonstrating his commitment to family.
Additionally, Stallone opened up about the physical toll incurred through his career while promoting the show’s latest season. He disclosed serious injuries from years of performing stunts, particularly noting the extensive impact from the Expendables series.
“I have been injured many, many times, but after ‘Expendables,’ I ended up with nine back operations, three neck fusions. Both shoulders ripped out. It’s been brutal,” Stallone revealed in a conversation with Fox News Digital.
Advising future productions, Stallone expressed his preference for stunt professionals: “Don’t. Don’t. Let the pro do it,” referring to performing risky stunts.
Reflecting on his past, Stallone admitted regret over the risks taken early in his career. “I think I’m an idiot for doing that,” he remarked. “I’m proud that I broke myself in pieces? Like, duh, no.”