Jason Bateman Slammed for Asking Charli XCX About Kids — Her Response Steals the Spotlight

ason Bateman is getting heavy criticism online after a moment from the SmartLess podcast made many listeners uncomfortable.

The backlash started after an episode featuring Charli XCX, where the conversation shifted from her work to her personal views on having children. The clip quickly spread on social media, with fans calling out what they saw as unnecessary pressure and disrespect.

The moment happened during a casual chat on the SmartLess podcast, which Bateman hosts with Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. While talking with Charli XCX, Bateman asked her if she wanted one child or several. Charli answered honestly and said, I actually don’t really want to have kids. The mood changed fast after that.

Charli went on to explain her thinking. She said she sometimes likes the idea of motherhood in a very surface way, like choosing baby names, but that feeling made her realize it was not something she truly wanted. The fact that [naming it] feels like the coolest part about it, she said, showed her it was not the right life choice for her.

Instead of moving on, Bateman pushed further. He suggested she might change her mind one day and brought up his own family, saying his wife once felt the same way before they got together. Things became more awkward when he hinted that Charli might want kids with the right partner. She corrected him by saying, Well, I am married, referring to her husband George Daniel from The 1975. Bateman then joked, Your next husband, you’re gonna want kids, a line that many listeners felt crossed a line.

Fans reacted strongly after hearing the exchange. Many called the moment disgusting and said it was hard to listen to. Others pointed out that women are often pushed to defend their choices about not having children, especially in public interviews. The criticism focused on Bateman’s comments, even though the SmartLess podcast is known for loose and unplanned conversations.

Charli XCX appeared on the podcast to promote her new A24 film The Moment. The movie is her first major acting role and has been getting attention for its take on fame and pop culture.

She stars alongside Rachel Sennott and Alexander Skarsgård, and the film has been widely discussed since its release. The interview clip was first shared by listeners and later picked up by entertainment fans online.

Bateman has not publicly responded to the backlash so far. Outside the podcast, he has been busy working on new projects.

Charli, meanwhile, continues to have a huge year across music, film, and fashion. Many fans praised how calmly she handled the situation and said her response was clear and honest without being rude. For many viewers, the moment sparked a bigger talk about boundaries in interviews.