When it comes to family, Sylvester Stallone isn't backing down. The action legend has directly addressed the online chatter accusing him of nepotism after his daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, was given a significantly larger part in the current season of Tulsa King. In a candid chat with USA Today, Stallone didn't just dismiss the criticism—he embraced it, framing his decision as a natural extension of fatherhood.
“First they go, 'Nepotism is terrible,'” Stallone 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.'” It's a blunt, unapologetic stance from the veteran star, who has built a career on playing tough guys who stand their ground.
The controversy stems from Season 4 of Tulsa King, where Scarlet Rose Stallone's character steps into the family's criminal underworld in a much more prominent capacity. While some fans have grumbled on social media, the show itself continues to dominate. The season premiere, titled “W.W.D.D.,” aired on October 16 and was written by Terence Winter and directed by Guy Ferland. It kicked things off with an explosive start, setting up Dwight “The General” Manfredi's fight to legitimize his empire while facing corrupt politicians and new enemies.
Critics have largely embraced the new season. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 4 holds an 83% approval rating, tying with Season 3 as the second-highest score in the series. The show has only grown in popularity since its debut, and while official viewership numbers haven't been released, it's expected that the premiere could be the most-watched yet, especially with the series battling for the top spot on Paramount+'s streaming charts.
But Tulsa King isn't the only Sheridan-verse show making waves. The Taylor Sheridan universe has been a ratings juggernaut, and fans of the franchise might enjoy testing their knowledge with a fun quiz to see which show they belong in—whether it's Yellowstone, Landman, Tulsa King, or Mayor of Kingstown. Each world is brutal, complicated, and built on power and survival.
Despite the show's success, it hasn't quite taken the top spot on Paramount+'s charts this week. That honor goes to South Park, which is currently riding high with its 29th season. Still, Tulsa King remains a strong contender, and with the third episode set to drop this Friday, October 30, the momentum is likely to continue.
For those looking to dive deeper into the crime drama landscape, Ray Donovan is a Paramount+ crime thriller that often gets overshadowed but is well worth a watch. And if you're curious about the creative decisions behind the show, Stallone has explained why Season 4 killed off two major characters.
Stallone's comments are likely to keep the conversation going, but for now, he's standing by his choice. As he sees it, giving his daughter a chance is just what any parent would do. Whether fans agree or not, Tulsa King continues to deliver the gritty drama that has made it a hit.
