Jason Bateman received backlash over his Charli XCX interview on his SmartLess podcast with Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. He told Charli she might want kids with the right person
Sara Haines defended Jason Bateman amid controversy
Sara Haines defended Jason Bateman amid the backlash he received over his interview with Charli XCX.
The Ozark actor, 57, had the British pop star, 33, on his SmartLess podcast with Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. During the February 2 episode of the podcast, Jason had shared an anecdote about how his wife didn’t want kids until she met him and how Charli might change her mind if she found someone.
Charli let him know she was married in response. The conversation caused controversy as people criticized Jason as “gross” and felt he was pressuring the singer to have kids.
The ladies on The View, Sara, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin, discussed the controversy on the show’s Hot Topics segment on February 4.
Alyssa began by defending Jason by stating he wasn’t “able to prepare” for his interview with Charli because of the structure of the podcast. The former White House director of strategic communications said that with SmartLess, one of the co-hosts picks a guest without the other two knowing.
Jason received backlash over his interview with Charli XCX(Image: Getty Images)
Alyssa said she will give Jason “grace” for interviewing “on the fly” but understands how the pressure of having kids is “maybe too much sometimes.” Sara chimed in with her two cents on the matter.
“The conversation is legitimate but I think when you listen to it…Jason Bateman, that’s his personality and I have heard of people that don’t want kids — men and women — that end up wanting them with certain people so sharing a personal story, considering it was his wife, I don’t think it was as bad as it sounded,” the former Good Morning America anchor said.
Alyssa Farah Griffin also defended Jason(Image: ABC)
Alyssa remarked, agreeing, “It didn’t sound nearly as bad as the headlines made it for me.” Sara added, “No, I think sometimes people are waiting to be offended.” She also commended Charli for putting out a song about whether to have kids or not called, I Think About It All the Time.
She went on to say it’s a “great conversation to be had” after referencing Sean’s quote, saying, “I rather not regret having kids than have them and regret that later.” Sara added that she did not find “offense” at what Jason said and would be interested to know if Charli did.
Charli is married to the 1975 bandmate George Daniel (Image: Getty Images for W Magazine)
Joy interjected that on the top of the list of topics people should mind their business on is why one may want or not want a baby. Sara replied that Charli was on a podcast in an interview and that she had mentioned she wasn’t planning on having kids. The 48-year-old further said said she didn’t think they were “ambushing” her.
Jason is married to former actress Amanda Anka since 2001 and they have have two daughter: Francesca, 19, and Maple, 13. Charli married 1975 band member George Daniel last year.
