Jason addressed the “interesting” discourse in a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
Earlier this month, Jason Bateman left many listeners frustrated with his “insulting” response to Charli XCX saying she doesn’t want kids.
Charli appeared on the SmartLess podcast, which Jason co-hosts with Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, when the topic turned to the singer’s family plans. Charli, who married George Daniel of The 1975 in July, told the hosts, “I actually don’t want to have kids.”
“That could change,” she continued, before explaining her current stance. “I love the fantasy of having a child, like naming it sounds so fun, but 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, and, like, maybe I’m not ready, you know?”
“But all that could change,” Jason replied. “You might find somebody.”
Charli then interjected, “Well, I’m married, so.”
“Ah…I gotta read a newspaper one of these days,” Jason quipped, prompting Charli to respond, “You know, it’s OK. I knew immediately where you were gonna go, I knew my response, I was really looking forward to it.”
The moment quickly went viral, with many listeners criticizing Jason for pressing Charli on a topic she has long been clear about.
Jason didn’t immediately address the backlash, but he later responded in a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
“We were having a great conversation about her life growing up as an only child,” he said. “It seemed like a very natural follow-up to that. That’s all it was.”
Jason 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.”
We’ll see if Charli herself will comment on this, but in the meantime, LMK your thoughts below.