Jason Bateman has addressed criticism following his comments about Charli XCX’s decision not to have children.
The actor faced backlash after questioning Charli XCX on his podcast SmartLess regarding her views on having children.
Charli XCX joined the show to discuss her album, the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell’s film “Wuthering Heights”, and a mockumentary about the Brat world tour.
Bateman, 57, seemed unfamiliar with Charli XCX’s work, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, admitting that the ‘brat’ phenomenon she is known for had not caught his attention.
This lack of familiarity extended to her personal life, like her marriage to George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, and her decision not to have children.
During the podcast, Bateman asked if she wanted kids, to which Charli replied she did not. He suggested she might reconsider if she met the right person, drawing parallels to his own wife’s change of heart after they got together.
Charli has been vocal about her stance on having children, even addressing it in her music.
The exchange, though awkward, remained civil, and Bateman attempted to lighten the mood by joking about needing to ‘pick up a newspaper.’ However, Charli’s fans criticized him online.
One fan commented: “Saying ‘maybe you’ll change your mind when you get married…’ is GROSS.”
Another wrote: “This just p*ssed me off… pressuring her without even knowing s**t about her,” though some highlighted that the hosts’ lack of familiarity with guests is a part of the podcast’s format.
In response to the backlash, Bateman spoke to The Hollywood Reporter.
He explained: “We were having a great conversation about her life growing up as an only child. It seemed like a very natural follow-up to that. That’s all it was.
“I don’t really have much [else] to say about it, except that it is always interesting and valuable and educational to hear people’s thoughts, reactions and feelings to anything I say or do.”
Bateman also shared insights into his own family life, expressing his enjoyment of raising his children and describing himself as a ‘softie’.
“I like moving the Elf on the Shelf every day,” he shared. “In fact, we’ve got a new little thing, a troll, that I move around now in the offseason. But I love it all: the slippers, the fireplace, the nesting.”