Sylvester Stallone has openly acknowledged that nepotism played a part in his daughter Scarlet Rose Stallone's acting career, and he isn't remotely interested in apologising for it.
Speaking to USA Today in an interview published on October 16, the 80-year-old actor defended helping his 24-year-old daughter secure opportunities in Hollywood, including her role in the Paramount+ crime drama Tulsa King.
"Of course it's nepotism, you idiot," Stallone declared, refusing to dress up the advantages that come with having a famous parent.
His argument was straightforward: parents naturally want to give their children the best possible opportunities. But he also drew a distinction between receiving that initial advantage and having the ability to sustain a career.
"Can they maintain that level of excellence? That's out of our hands," he said, arguing that ultimately an actor must demonstrate their abilities to audiences.
Scarlet Stallone's Tulsa King role has become increasingly important
Scarlet has played Spencer since Tulsa King's first season in 2022. Introduced as a coffee shop barista who befriends Dwight Manfredi, the New York mobster portrayed by her father, Spencer subsequently works as a stable hand and horse caretaker at a ranch connected to Dwight's expanding criminal operation.
Her involvement in the series has grown considerably. In Season 4, which premiered on October 16, Spencer becomes more deeply involved in the activities surrounding Dwight's organisation.
And her future on the show is already confirmed. In an official announcement on October 6, Paramount+ revealed that Tulsa King had been renewed for a fifth season and identified Scarlet among its series regulars for the upcoming instalment.
Production on Season 5 began in New York on October 5, although a premiere date has not yet been announced.
That continued involvement gives Stallone's comments an immediate relevance beyond the usual Hollywood nepotism debate: Scarlet's opportunity has developed into an ongoing television role, rather than a brief appearance alongside her famous father.
What has Scarlet said about working with her father?
Scarlet has also discussed the experience from her own perspective. Speaking to People at PaleyFest NY on October 10, she explained that working together had transformed their father-daughter relationship and allowed them to develop a closer friendship.
She also admitted feeling both excited and nervous about her character's expanded prominence, saying she wanted to work hard and make those around her proud.
Those comments provide another dimension to the story. While Sylvester is unapologetic about giving his daughter an advantage, Scarlet has publicly acknowledged the pressure she feels to deliver in her increasingly visible role.
There is, however, an important distinction between the two sides of Stallone's argument. Scarlet's continued employment and expanding screen time are established facts, but they do not independently demonstrate how the original casting decision was made or whether other actors were considered.
What Stallone has made clear is that he sees no contradiction between helping his children get opportunities and expecting them to prove themselves once those opportunities arrive. Whether audiences agree with that philosophy is a separate question.
