Sylvester Stallone has defended his decision to cast his daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, in the hit crime drama Tulsa King, openly acknowledging the role of family connections in Hollywood.
Scarlet Rose plays Spencer in the series and is set to receive a more prominent role in Season 4, according to Variety. Her casting has sparked questions about nepotism, prompting the veteran actor to address the criticism directly.
In a recent interview with USA Today, Stallone admitted that his daughter has benefited from his position in the entertainment industry. He also argued that helping one's children succeed is a natural part of being a parent.
“First they go, ‘Nepotism is terrible,’” Stallone said. Responding to the criticism, he suggested that parents naturally want to give their children every possible advantage.
“Of course it's nepotism, you idiot. That's why we're parents,” he added, explaining that parents want the best for their children and will use the opportunities available to help them succeed.
However, Stallone acknowledged that opening doors does not guarantee lasting success. He emphasized that his daughter must demonstrate her own talent and ability to handle the demands of the role.
“Can they maintain that level of excellence? That's out of our hands,” he explained. He added that parents can create opportunities, but it is ultimately up to their children to prove themselves.
Stallone also noted that entering the industry with family support can bring its own challenges, suggesting that the opportunity to succeed comes with the responsibility to live up to expectations.
In Tulsa King, Stallone stars as Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York mob boss who is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after spending 25 years in prison. Once there, he attempts to establish a new criminal operation while navigating unfamiliar territory and building relationships with a new group of associates.
Scarlet Rose first appeared in the series during Season 1. She returns in Season 4, taking on a role as a former barista who works as a horse caretaker and stablehand at Fennario Ranch. Her expanded presence marks a new chapter for her character in the crime drama.
Season 4 of Tulsa King premiered on October 16, bringing new developments to Dwight's story and giving Scarlet Rose a greater opportunity to establish herself on screen.
Stallone's comments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding nepotism in Hollywood, where the children of established stars often have easier access to opportunities than aspiring performers without industry connections. While his remarks acknowledge that advantage, he maintains that securing a role is only the beginning and that an actor's ability to deliver a strong performance ultimately determines whether the opportunity leads to continued success.