Sylvester Stallone Defends Casting Daughter in “Tulsa King”

Sylvester Stallone is standing firm against allegations of nepotism regarding his decision to cast his daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, in his new crime drama, “Tulsa King.” The action star, now 80, recently addressed critics questioning whether Scarlet earned her role on the show.

He expressed, “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’s comments suggest he believes that, as a parent, it’s natural to want to give your children every possible advantage.

He further acknowledged, “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,” he laughed off the criticism.

Stallone made a distinction between getting an opportunity and proving oneself, emphasizing that the latter is ultimately what matters. “Can they maintain that level of excellence? That’s out of our hands,” he remarked during the conversation.

In “Tulsa King,” Scarlet, 24, portrays Spencer, while Stallone takes on the role of Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York mobster trying to establish a criminal empire in Tulsa after serving time in prison. In the fourth season, Scarlet’s character is expected to have a more significant involvement as she navigates the family’s criminal operations.

Stallone shares his three daughters with wife Jennifer Flavin: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. Recently, he spoke candidly about the toll his acting career has taken on his health, particularly after working on “The Expendables,” which resulted in multiple serious injuries.

“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,” he disclosed, advising that it’s wise to let stunt professionals take over in such physically demanding scenes.

Reflecting on his younger self, Stallone couldn’t help but criticize his past choices. “I think I’m an idiot for doing that,” he said, acknowledging the physical sacrifices he made for his craft.