Jason Bateman Responds to Online Criticism After Telling Charli xcx She'll Change Her Mind About Having Kids

Hannah SacksWed, February 18, 2026 at 3:45 PM UTC

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Jason Bateman, Charli XCX

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Jason Bateman is responding after the Internet criticized his awkward questioning of Charli xcx

The Zootopia star told Charli during an episode of his podcast that she might change her mind about having kids if she met the right person

However, Charli tied the knot with her husband George Daniel last July

Jason Bateman is responding after his awkward questioning of Charli xcx went viral.

The Zootopia star, 57, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview and commented for the first time on the backlash he's received following his questioning of the "Chains of Love" singer.

At the beginning of February, Bateman had Charli (real name is Charlotte Aitchison) on an episode of the Smartless podcast, where the singer said she didn't want to have kids. At the time, Bateman told her that she might change her mind if she met "somebody" — however, Charli tied the knot with husband George Daniel last July.

"We were having a great conversation about her life growing up as an only child. It seemed like a very natural follow-up to that. That's all it was," Bateman said of his line of questioning. "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."

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Charli XCX and George Daniel

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On the Feb. 2 podcast episode, Charli said she doesn't "really want to have kids." When she was asked why, the "Apple" singer said, "You know, who knows? That could change."

She went on to explain that she loved the "fantasy of having a child" and said that "naming it" sounds like the most "fun" part of being a mom.

"That is exactly a sign to me as to why I should not have one," explained Charli. "The fact that that feels like the coolest part about it? Maybe I'm not ready."

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However, Bateman chimed in and said that "all that could change," explaining that his wife, Amanda Anka, also didn't originally want to have kids.

"[Amanda] did not want to have kids, so the story goes," said the Ozark star. "And she said once we started going out, she was like, 'Okay, I think I can have a kid with this guy.' So you might find somebody."

"Well, I'm married," Charli replied. The "Mean Girls" singer tied the knot with The 1975 drummer this past July in London. The two then had another ceremony in Italy in September.

George Daniel and Charli XCX

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The podcast episode wasn't the first time Charli has been open about her mixed feelings on having kids. In May 2024, the singer spoke with Rolling Stone UK and shared whether she sees motherhood in her future.

Speaking about her friend and songwriting collaborator Noonie Bao becoming a parent, Charli said: "It was crazy seeing her standing in the same clothes she’s always worn, but now she has this completely different perspective on life than I do. She’s not enforcing that on me; it’s just a fact. She’s not alive for the same reasons that I am now."

On one hand, Charli said she doesn't "want to conform to centuries of indoctrination.” However, she also said she often considers the societal implications if she chooses to remain childfree.

“Am I less of a woman if I don’t have a kid? Will I feel like I’ve missed out on my purpose in life? I know we’re not supposed to say that, but it’s this biological and social programming," she told the outlet.

Charli continued: "There’s a lot of pressure on women to not talk about that stuff super openly, especially not in pop music or in music generally; we’re supposed to be sexy and free and fun and wild.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”