‘Of course it’s nepotism, you idiot’: Stallone defends daughter’s casting

Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone has openly defended nepotism in the entertainment industry, saying parents naturally want to give their children every possible advantage, including career opportunities.

Speaking to USA Today, the Tulsa King star dismissed criticism over the casting of his daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, acknowledging that she benefited from her family connections.

“Of course it’s nepotism, you idiot,” Stallone said, arguing that parents who do not use their influence to help their children are failing to put their families first.

He said parents naturally want the best for their children and should give them every possible advantage.

However, Stallone acknowledged that family connections could only open doors and could not guarantee lasting success.

“Can they maintain that level of excellence? That’s out of our hands,” he said, adding that parents could provide an opportunity but it was up to their children to prove they had the ability to succeed.

Addressing criticism that celebrity offspring often find it easier to secure jobs, Stallone conceded that getting a role might be easier for them but said sustaining success in front of millions of viewers ultimately depended on talent.