Elle King Addresses Viral Comments About Dad, Rob Schneider: “I Was Not Trying To Hurt Him”
on Sep 20, 2024
Elle King’s recent comments about her relationship with her father, Rob Schneider, unexpectedly went viral, causing quite a stir in the media.
Elle King Talks “Toxic” Relationship With Dad, Rob Schneider
The controversy began when King appeared on Bunnie XO’s podcast Dumb Blonde in August, where she candidly discussed her “toxic” relationship with Schneider.
During the podcast, King didn’t hold back, expressing her disagreement with many of her father’s views. She went on to say, “I don’t want to be associated with him,” revealing that Schneider was largely absent during her childhood. When he was present, King claimed, it was often to send her to fat camp or comment on her weight.
“I was like a really, really heavy child. My dad sent me to fat camp…and then I got in trouble one year because I sprained my ankle and didn’t lose any weight, very toxic and silly,” King explained.
RELATED: Elle King Says She Is “A Different Person” After Controversial Opry Performance
Rob Schneider Makes Public Apology To Daughter, Elle King
In response to his daughter’s revelations, Schneider took an unexpected approach. Rather than denying the claims or making excuses, he used his appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show to offer a heartfelt apology. Looking directly into the camera, Schneider delivered an emotional message:
“Elle, I love you. And I wish I was the father in my 20s that you needed. Clearly I wasn’t, and I hope you can forgive me for my shortcomings,” he said. “I love you completely. I love you entirely. And I just want you to be well and happy with you and your beautiful baby, Lucky. I wish you the best. I feel terrible and I just want you to know that I don’t take anything you say personally.”
Elle King Defends Original Comments
Following the widespread attention her comments received, King recently spoke with PEOPLE to clarify her intentions. She explained:
“I was just speaking about my childhood and about my truth. I was not trying to hurt him.”
Addressing the criticism she faced for speaking publicly about family matters, King defended her decision, saying, “Sometimes you have to just say things and get them off your chest so that you don’t have to carry it for the rest of your life.”
Despite her explanation, King made it clear that she’s not ready to forgive her father just yet.
“Ultimately, I think an apology on Tucker Carlson is like a double negative, right? Means nothing.”
Interestingly, this recent conflict stands in stark contrast to King’s previous statements about her relationship with Schneider. Just last year, she told the publication that they had a “loving relationship” with “awesome boundaries.”
King, who shares a 3-year-old son named Lucky with her partner Daniel Tooker, had apparently reconnected with her father on her own terms before this latest disagreement.
As King navigates this public family drama, she continues to focus on her music career. She recently released her latest single, “High Road,” which you can listen to below.
