Sylvester Stallone Defends Daughter Scarlet Rose Stallone on Tulsa King
Sylvester Stallone is pushing back against critics of Hollywood nepotism by arguing that giving family members an advantage is simply part of being a good parent. The 80-year-old actor addressed the casting of his 24-year-old daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, in the Paramount+ crime drama Tulsa King during an interview published on October 16.
The debate surrounding second-generation actors has grown increasingly prominent across the entertainment industry, with high-profile casting choices drawing frequent scrutiny from viewers and critics. In television, producer Ryan Murphy has regularly featured prominent industry offspring in his series, including Billie Lourd, Emma Roberts, Lily Rabe, Kaia Gerber, Charlie Hall, Homer Gere, and Ella Beatty. Addressing the backlash directly, Stallone offered a blunt defense of his actions.
Parental Duty Versus Industry Criticism
Reflecting on the negative reactions to his daughter’s role, Stallone dismissed the complaints in his interview with USA Today. “First they go, ‘Nepotism is terrible,’” he said. “I said, ‘Oh please, you’re not a good parent if you haven’t performed a little nepotism.”
Stallone continued with a blunt assessment of parental instincts. “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.”
Character Evolution on Tulsa King
Scarlet Rose Stallone initially joined the series during its debut season in 2022 as Spencer, a coffee shop barista who eventually takes a job as a stable hand and horse caretaker at Fennario Ranch. Her character’s storyline has grown increasingly tied to the criminal empire of Dwight “The General” Manfredi, the New York Mafia capo played by her father who is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after serving 25 years in prison. Following a recurring role in earlier episodes, Scarlet has transitioned to a series regular for the show’s fourth season, which premiered on Friday, October 16.
Working alongside her father has shifted their dynamic significantly. Speaking exclusively to People at PaleyFest NY on October 10, Scarlet explained that the professional collaboration completely altered their relationship. “It’s completely changed — a complete 180,” she said, adding that they have grown closer as friends through the experience. She noted that they had been working together for five years, making the process feel very natural, and mentioned that she appreciates getting to spend time with her father since he used to work constantly. Scarlet also shared that her father likes to tease her on set because he is very old-school with his language and prone to pronouncing every single word, while she is part of Gen Z. Sylvester Stallone shares five children in total: daughters Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet with his wife Jennifer Flavin, as well as two sons, Seargeoh and Sage, from his first marriage.
Maintaining Excellence in Front of Audiences
While acknowledging that family connections can secure an initial opportunity, Stallone emphasized that long-term success requires personal capability. “Can they maintain that level of excellence?” he told USA Today. “That’s out of our hands. But if you can open the door, we’ll see if they have the ability to go through it.”
He added that public perception often focuses on the ease of entry rather than the pressure of execution. “People will say, ‘She got that job, it’s too easy.’ You’re right. Perhaps it could be. But to maintain that, to be in front of millions of people, you either got it or you don’t.”
Scarlet echoed that sentiment regarding her own ambitions on the program. “At the end of the day, I just wanted to work as hard as possible and make everyone proud,” she said.
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