Jason Bateman has responded to the backlash over a controversial interaction with Charli XCX on the SmartLess podcast, which he co-hosts with Will Arnett and Sean Hayes. During the conversation, the Ozark star suggested that the singer might one day change her mind about not having kids. The exchange quickly sparked outrage online, with many condemning Bateman’s comment.
Jason Bateman talks about Charli XCX backlash
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jason Bateman addressed the criticism he faced for telling Charli XCX that she might change her mind about not having kids in the future. When asked about the controversial interaction, the actor clarified, “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.”
He added, “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 and Charli XCX had the viral exchange on the February 2 episode of the SmartLess podcast. During the chat, the singer shared, “I actually don’t really want to have kids.” When asked the reason, she said, “You know, who knows? That could change.”
The Grammy-winner added, “I love the fantasy of having a child, like naming it — it sounds so fun — but I’m like, that is exactly a sign to me as to why I should not have one. The fact that that feels like the coolest part about it? Maybe I’m not ready.”
Bateman then stated that “all that could change,” drawing from his own experience with his wife, Amanda, who also initially did not want to have kids but later changed her mind. At one point later, the actor also joked, “Maybe your next husband, you’re gonna want to have kids with him.”
The remark sparked widespread criticism on social media, with fans calling out Bateman’s line of questioning. One fan called the interview “one of the worst pieces of media of all time,” on X (formerly Twitter), while another commented, “btw, if a woman says she doesn’t wanna have kids, THEN THATS THE END OF THE STORY. saying ‘maybe you’ll change your mind when you get married…’ is GROSS.”
