Sylvester Stallone is not denying that his daughter Scarlet Rose Stallone received a family advantage in landing her role on “Tulsa King.” Instead, he is defending that support as part of being a parent.

Scarlet has appeared across the Paramount+ drama’s four seasons as Spencer, a former barista and stable hand who eventually goes to work for Dwight Manfredi’s crime empire. Dwight is played by her father.

Addressing the nepotism criticism in an interview with USA Today, Stallone argued that parents naturally want to help their children get ahead.

“First they go, ‘Nepotism is terrible,’” he said. “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 also directly acknowledged using his position to help Scarlet join the Taylor Sheridan show.

“Of course it’s nepotism, you idiot,” he added. “That’s why we’re parents. We want the best for our children. So obviously we let them have every advantage.”

A Family History of Sharing the Screen

“Tulsa King” is Scarlet’s first recurring television role, but it is not her first professional acting appearance with her father. She made her debut in the 2014 Stallone-led crime film “Reach Me,” appearing briefly as a young girl.

Scarlet later joked about the limited nature of the part in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

“I literally just had to say one tiny line, and they had to cut that in half!” she said. “It was pretty humiliating.”

Stallone has also shared scripted projects with other members of his family. His second-born son, Seargeoh, appeared without credit as Rocky Balboa’s infant son in the 1979 film “Rocky II.”

Stallone’s eldest son, Sage, played Rocky Jr. in “Rocky V” 11 years later. Father and son subsequently worked together in the 1996 movie “Daylight.” Sage died in 2012.

Of Stallone’s four other children, three have appeared in scripted productions. Although he has not yet acted alongside daughters Sistine and Sophia, Sistine has taken several small roles in movies and television shows.

Scarlet Is Now Giving Her Father Advice

The dynamic between Stallone and Scarlet has apparently evolved during their time on “Tulsa King.” Asked during “CBS Sunday Morning at 92NY” whether he had given his 24-year-old daughter advice while filming the series, Stallone said the guidance now moves in the other direction.

“She gives me advice actually. She’s very like, daddy’s girl,” he said. “So now I don’t suggest anything … She’s really grown up. All my daughters have grown up in this world, so they knew more than I do.”

Scarlet’s role is also set to expand. Although Season 4 has only just begun, Paramount+ has already renewed “Tulsa King” for a fifth season. Scarlet has been promoted to series regular for Season 5, ensuring that Spencer will remain part of the show and that the father-daughter collaboration will continue.

ShowBiz Take

Stallone’s response stands out because he is not attempting to distance himself from the family connection behind Scarlet’s casting. He has confirmed that he helped her and framed that assistance as a straightforward parental responsibility.

At the same time, Scarlet’s progression gives the discussion more weight than a one-scene family cameo. “Tulsa King” became her first recurring television assignment, and her promotion to series regular means her part is becoming more substantial after four seasons on the Paramount+ drama.

The pair’s comments also suggest their working relationship is no longer simply a case of an experienced father instructing his daughter. Stallone says Scarlet now advises him, while her continuing role will give them another season to develop that on-screen partnership.

What Happens Next?

Season 4 of “Tulsa King” is underway, with Scarlet continuing as Spencer. The confirmed fifth season will mark her move to series-regular status on Paramount+, extending her work opposite Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi.