Actor Jason Bateman had an uncomfortable moment with singer Charli XCX during Monday’s episode of “Smartless” when he questioned her about not wanting kids.
While discussing her childhood, Charli XCX revealed that dealing with conflict was hard because she’s an only child. Bateman then asked her whether she wanted to have more than one kid because of that. She responded that she didn’t think she wanted any kids.
“All that could change,” Bateman said.
He then said his wife didn’t want kids until she met Bateman.
“So you might find somebody…” Bateman began to say.
Charli XCX interrupted him: “Well, I’m married.”
Bateman then quipped, “I gotta read a newspaper one of these days.”
Charli XCX assured him it was OK. “I knew immediately where you were gonna go.”
On “Smartless,” hosted by Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, only one of the hosts knows who the guest is going to be, so the other two hosts are surprised. Charli XCX was Hayes’ guest, so Bateman and Arnett weren’t able to do any research.
Charli XCX married musician George Daniel after three years of dating. She opened up about not being able to decide if she wants kids in her song “I Think About It All The Time.”
People on social media tore into Bateman for his awkward line of questioning. One X user wrote, “The Charli xcx / Jason Bateman interview was so cringe and embarrassing. I can’t believe his people didn’t just shelve it or at least cut that part about kids out.”
Another wrote, “Disrespectfully, we need to bring back journalists to red carpets and as podcast hosts. The lack of research going into questions is a waste of guests’ time and a missed opportunity for fans. Have thought this for ages but the jason bateman/charli interaction is particularly wild.”
And one person on Reddit wrote, “Why the fuck does society continue to pressure women, in particular, about having kids?!? People should respect when someone knows themselves well enough to say they don’t want to be a parent.”