Jason Bateman addresses backlash over on-air exchange with Charli XCX about not wanting kids

Jason Bateman has addressed the backlash he received following an awkward on-air exchange with singer Charli XCX.

In early February, the actor-turned-podcast host grilled the Brat artist, 33, on her plans to have children, suggesting she may one day change her mind – if she met the right person.

After learning Charli was in fact recently married, Bateman 57, quipped back, "Maybe your next husband", drawing criticism from "disgusted" fans.

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When asked about the now-viral moment, Bateman told The Hollywood Reporter: "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. 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."

It was during an appearance on SmartLess, the podcast Bateman co-hosts with fellow actors Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, that Charli was asked how many children she wanted.

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"I actually don't really want to have kids," the three-time Grammy winner said at the time.

The singer mentioned she'd avoided "a lot of conflict" throughout her upbringing as an only-child.

In response, Bateman inquired: "Would [you] love to have more than one kid or would you like to have a kid that has the same sort of experience as you?"

While friendly, Charli was quick to shut down that line of questioning.

Referring to his own relationship, Bateman suggested her views might change as she "might find somebody" with whom to have children in future as his wife did with him.

The Arrested Development star however, did not know Charli had recently tied the knot with The 1975 drummer George Daniel.

At the time, the Apple songstress quickly clarified she'd already gotten married mid-way through last year, but Bateman insisted she "hadn't let him finish" his train of thought, adding "maybe your next husband, you're gonna want to have kids with him."

The episode subsequently cut to a commercial break – with listeners then going on to slam the uncomfortable back-and-forth in the podcast's YouTube comments.

But as The Hollywood Reporter pointed out, the SmartLess format, where two of the three hosts have no idea who the guest is before the taping, was bound to see such an awkward exchange happen.

It was clear Charli was not Bateman's guest, with the actor knowing very little about the popstar.

A laughing Bateman owned up to the error at the time, adding, "I've got to read a newspaper one of these days."

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