Tensions have been brewing for years between Arnold Schwarzenegger’s four children from his marriage to Maria Shriver and his youngest son Joseph Baena from an extramarital affair.
And the Los Angeles premiere of Schwarzenegger’s new action comedy series FUBAR on Monday made for an even more awkward take on family dynamics as the action legend’s daughters Katherine, 33, and Christina, 31, joined him on the red carpet with Katherine’s husband Chris Pratt. 43.
However, Joseph had also attended the premiere to support his 75-year-old father, but he walked the red carpet solo without meeting his half-siblings.
In surprisingly brutal terms, a source who knows Schwarzenegger claimed Page six on Friday that his children with Shriver “do not love their half-brother Joseph,” even though his father reportedly has a strong and supportive relationship with him.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Baena and representatives for Schwarzenegger and his other children.
Keeping your distance: Tensions between Arnold Schwarzenegger’s children with his ex Maria Shriver and his son Joseph Baena came to a head after Christina (R), Katherine (2nd from left) and her husband Chris Pratt joined Arnold at his FUBAR- premiered on Monday while Joseph had to walk separately; seen Monday in LA
Painful words: In surprisingly cruel terms, a source known to Arnold claimed to Page Six on Friday that his children with Shriver “do not love” their half-brother Joseph, even though his father reportedly has a strong and supportive relationship with him; seen Monday
Schwarzenegger also shares his actor and model son Patrick, 29, and his youngest son Christopher, 25, with Shriver, though they weren’t at the FUBAR premiere this week.
The source described Arnold and Joseph – which stems from his father’s affair with his family’s former housekeeper Mildred Baena – as “very close.”
“But honestly, the other kids don’t like Joe,” they continued. “It’s a shame because he’s a very good boy and Arnold has always treated him like all his other children – very fair. But for whatever reason, take the other kids [the affair] out on Joe.’
Despite the apparent tension at the premiere, Joseph made no sign of it at all in his cheering Instagram post after the event.
He shared a photo of himself beaming from ear to ear and giving two thumbs up for the camera.
“I give FUBAR 2 thumbs up!!!” He wrote. “Had a blast at the premiere of FUBAR last night!”
He went on to praise the first episode shown at the premiere for its balance of action and comedy, before adding that he was “extremely proud” to watch his father and costar Gabriel Luna “bring this amazing show to life.”
“Remember… “Heroes don’t retire. They’re reloading,” he concluded.
Pointing fingers? The source added: ‘It’s a shame if [Joseph is] a very good boy, and Arnold has always treated him like all his other children – very fair. But for whatever reason, take the other kids [the affair] out on Joe’; seen Monday
While Joseph didn’t even name his half-siblings, several top commenters on the post called out their behavior while praising him for staying above the fray.
“Joe is Arnold’s true legacy and his rich, lazy kids are clearly the victims. Keep transporting Joe,” one fan wrote.
Another said it was “disgusting” how he was “treated” by his “own blood.”
Completely ignored by something beyond your control. Is it racial animosity?” they mused, before urging him to “use these bulls*** to fuel you.”
One user said they just started following Joseph to “support” him after his “snobby siblings” chose not to.
You are a great example to many. You train hard, you made it on your own without taking your father’s last name, you have a job, you support your father and look up to him,” they wrote. “In my eyes you are an exemplary son.”
It’s common for public figures to remove controversial comments from their posts, but Joseph chose to leave statements about his absent siblings.
Witnesses reportedly saw Joseph stay at the after-party at the posh open-air mall The Grove, but Katherine, Chris, and Christina all left shortly after the premiere wrapped.
Staying positive: Despite the apparent tension at the premiere, after the event, Joseph didn’t let on in his cheering Instagram post; seen Monday
His biggest fan: He praised the first episode and his father’s performance
Taking sides: While Joseph didn’t even name his half-siblings, several top commenters on the post called out their behavior while praising him for staying above the fray
Giving a statement? It is common for public figures to remove controversial comments from their posts, but Joseph chose to leave the statements about his absent siblings.
While it’s not clear to what extent Joseph has tried to be in a relationship with his older siblings, fans noticed him congratulating Katherine on Instagram following her 2019 wedding to Chris Pratt.
However, he was absent from the wedding ceremony, while the other three children were present.
That’s what a source who had worked with the family told me at the time Page six that Schwarzenegger’s children with Shriver “really don’t have a relationship with Joseph,” though they also noted that Patrick and Christopher seemed to be somewhat closer than his sisters. A source also said that Patrick and Joseph were training together.
A family source claimed that “they’re trying to navigate a private relationship before it goes public,” though little progress appears to have been made on the public front in the four years since.
At the time, a source who knew Katherine said, “Why should she be in a relationship with this boy? Joseph is the product of an affair Arnold was hiding from year! This was a very damaging and embarrassing situation that devastated her family. I can’t say I blame her for not wanting to embrace this living reminder of that.”
Joseph was not a new fixture in their lives, however, as he was introduced as their housekeeper’s son before they knew of their father’s affair and Joseph’s parentage.
“He grew up around them,” an insider told the publication at the time. “He was a regular at the Pacific Palisades mansion where the family lived from 1986 to 2003.”
Arnold still has a strong bond with his son. He has paid for his education and expenses, and they often spend time together and work up a sweat in the gym, where Joseph has followed his father’s love of bodybuilding.
No rush: A family source claimed in 2019 that (L-R) Patrick, Katherine, Christopher and Christina were privately working on their relationship with Joseph, but little seems to have changed after four years
Baby steps: While a source who knew Katherine defended her for not wanting a relationship with Joseph in 2019, another source told Page Six that her brother Patrick has been working out with his half-brother in the past; April seen
A family insider said that ‘Arnold loves all of his children. He has a good relationship with all of them.’
“Arnold has a close relationship with Joe. I’ve been to several events where he’s taken him,” the first Page Six source added.
“It’s not fair, but I think it’s understandable — he’s the product of something that shouldn’t have happened,” they said of his estrangement from his half-siblings.
However, another source claimed, “Schwarzenegger’s children have consistently weathered the situation with respect and class.”