by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: August 13, 2024
8 min read
8 min read
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Elle King , the powerhouse singer behind hits like “ Ex’s & Oh’s ,” has long been known for her distinctive voice and candid personality.
However, in a recent interview, she opened up about a deeply personal aspect of her life: her strained relationship with her father, actor and comedian Rob Schneider .
The revelations, made during a conversation on Bunnie Xo’ s Dumb Blonde podcast , provide a raw and unfiltered look into the complexities of growing up in the shadow of a famous parent.
In this article, I’ll explore Elle King’s complex relationship with her father, Rob Schneider, including the movie they appeared in together, her upbringing, and why she chose to distance herself from his last name.
Let’s get started!
Elle King, born Tanner Elle Schneider, has often downplayed her connection to her famous father, preferring to carve out her own identity in the music world.
During the podcast, King shared that her relationship with Schneider was fraught with challenges . She recalls spending summers on movie sets as a child rather than enjoying a typical childhood.
“If I would ever spend a summer with my dad, it would be on a movie set. I would just get lost in the shuffle,” King said.
The pressure of being around a father at the height of his career in films like The Hot Chick and Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo was overwhelming for a young girl who wanted nothing more than to be noticed and loved by her dad.
King described how even minor missteps, like talking during a shot, would result in her getting into trouble.
The environment was far from nurturing, and the lack of a close bond with her father during these formative years left a lasting impact on her.
One of the most startling revelations from King’s interview was the admission that her father sent her to a “fat camp” as a child.
King recalled how she was once reprimanded for not losing weight after spraining her ankle, a moment that exemplified the toxic dynamics at play.
“Very toxic and very silly,” King said, reflecting on the experience. The pressure to conform to her father’s expectations extended beyond just her appearance. King also faced resistance when she began expressing herself through tattoos.
“And I remember when I started getting tattooed, it was like, 108 degrees. So I had to wear sweaters because my dad was very anti-tattoo. Or, like, any form of self-expression that was different from what he wanted,” she continued.
This need to hide her true self for fear of disapproval is a theme that ran throughout King’s relationship with her father.
As King grew older, the ideological divide between her and her father widened. Schneider, known for his comedic roles, has also garnered attention for his controversial views, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues.
King made it clear in the podcast that she strongly disagrees with many of her father’s statements.
“He’s just talking out of his a–, and I wanna take this opportunity to say, I disagree. I do not agree with what he says,” King stated firmly.
Her decision to publicly distance herself from Schneider’s views speaks to her commitment to authenticity, even when it means confronting painful family dynamics.
King’s journey to establish her own identity was further complicated by her father’s fame. By the time she secured her record deal, she had gone several years without speaking to Schneider.
She was determined to succeed on her terms, without relying on her father’s name or connections.
“I never wanted his help. He also didn’t have a very good reputation. I don’t want to be associated with him,” King revealed. However, as her career began to take off, the press inevitably began asking about her father. This prompted an unexpected response from Schneider.
“Once I started getting questions about my dad in interviews, he reached out, saying, ‘Don’t f–king talk about me in the press,'” King recalled.
The tension between the two only deepened as King sought to distance herself from her father’s shadow while also dealing with the pain of his absence in her life.
Elle King opens up about her childhood with her "toxic" father Rob Schneider. pic.twitter.com/sA62aohkrf
— E! News (@enews) August 13, 2024
One of the most heartbreaking moments of the interview came when King recounted her 18th birthday. She spent the day in summer school and returned home to find that her father had forgotten her birthday entirely.
“My dad forgot every single birthday. I spent my 18th birthday in a summer school, and they brought me cupcakes, and I came home, and my dad forgot my birthday,” King said, her voice tinged with both sadness and resignation.
This moment encapsulates the neglect and emotional distance that has characterized much of her relationship with Schneider.
Throughout the interview, King emphasized the importance of accepting that one cannot change others, only how they respond to them. This philosophy has been a crucial part of her healing process as she continues to navigate her relationship with her father.
“You can want someone to change so much. You can’t control anyone else’s actions. You can’t control people’s feelings. All you can control is how you react and what you do with your feelings,” King reflected.
This realization has helped her cope with the pain and frustration of her strained relationship with Schneider.
Despite the challenges, King has found a way to move forward, focusing on her music and her personal growth. While her relationship with Schneider remains complicated, King is determined not to let it define her.
Year | Event | Impact on Elle King |
---|---|---|
Childhood
|
Spent summers on movie sets | Felt neglected and lost in the shuffle |
Childhood
|
Sent to “fat camp” | Experienced body shaming and toxic pressure |
Adolescence
|
Began getting tattoos, hid them from father | Struggled with self-expression and fear of disapproval |
Early Adulthood
|
Secured record deal, went years without speaking to Schneider | Sought independence, distanced herself from father’s fame |
18th Birthday
|
Schneider forgot her birthday | Felt deep emotional neglect |
Elle King appeared in the 2005 film Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo alongside her father, Rob Schneider. In the movie, she had a small role as a girl in the cookie shop.
This early exposure to the entertainment industry came from her father’s involvement in Hollywood, but it didn’t lead to a close father-daughter relationship.
Elle King was not primarily raised by Rob Schneider. Instead, she was raised by her mother, London King, a former model and actress. London King remarried, and Elle was largely brought up by her mother and stepfather in Ohio.
This upbringing played a significant role in shaping Elle’s identity, as she has often spoken about her desire to create her path, separate from her father’s fame.
Rob Schneider, a well-known actor and comedian famous for his roles in films like The Hot Chick and Grown Ups, is Elle King’s biological father .
However, Elle chose not to use her father’s last name professionally. Instead, she adopted the stage name “Elle King” as a way to forge her own identity and distance herself from the Hollywood connections that her father’s name might bring.
This decision reflects her desire to be recognized for her talents rather than her family ties.
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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