Sylvester Stallone isn't denying that nepotism played a role in his daughter's acting career.
The 80-year-old actor addressed criticism surrounding his daughter Scarlet Rose Stallone's expanding role in Season 4 of Tulsa King, admitting that her involvement in the Paramount+ series is an example of nepotism.
Speaking with USA TODAY, Stallone pushed back against those who believe celebrity parents shouldn't use their connections to create opportunities for their children.
"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 said.
"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."
Scarlet, 24, joined Tulsa King during its first season as Spencer, a barista who eventually becomes a stable hand. Her character has since become more involved in the criminal operation run by her father's character, Dwight "The General" Manfredi.
While Stallone has no problem acknowledging that his daughter benefits from his Hollywood connections, he believes getting an opportunity and proving you deserve it are two different things.
"Can they maintain that level of excellence? That's out of our hands," he explained. "But if you can open the door, we'll see if they have the ability to go through it."
Stallone also acknowledged that critics might have a point when questioning how easily children of famous entertainers can land opportunities.
"People will say, 'She got that job, it's too easy.' You're right. Perhaps it could be. But to maintain that, to be in front of millions of people, you either got it or you don't."
The comments come as Tulsa King returns for its fourth season, which premiered October 16.
The Taylor Sheridan-produced crime drama follows Manfredi, a New York mobster who establishes a criminal empire in Oklahoma after spending 25 years in prison.
Season 4 finds Manfredi dealing with familiar enemies and new threats as he attempts to expand his influence in organized crime.
The show's success has also led to an upcoming spinoff, Frisco King, starring Samuel L. Jackson as gangster Russell Lee Washington Jr., who sets out to build his own operation in Texas.
