When you grow up with the most famous mustache in Hollywood as your father and a literal icon of the 1960s as your mother, the world kinda expects you to just... fall in line. But Cleo Rose Elliott has never really done that. If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've probably seen her name popping up again. People are curious. What is Cleo Rose Elliott today actually doing? Is she still making music? Did she ever make peace with her mother, Katharine Ross, after that heavy, dark headline back in 2011?
The truth is a lot more quiet—and honestly, a lot more human—than the tabloids usually let on.
The Music She's Making Right Now
Most people only know Cleo from her 2008 debut album, No More Lies. It was this moody, pop-rock project that felt very "mid-2000s Malibu." But fast-forward to the present, and her sound has shifted.
Believe it or not, she’s still deep in the music scene. In August 2024, she quietly dropped a single called "No More Lies" (sharing a name with her old album, which is a bit of a meta move) featuring tracks like "Keep Holding On" and a cover of "Man in Black." If you listen to her newer stuff, you can hear the training. She didn't just wake up and decide to sing; she actually studied classical opera under Charity Chapman. You can hear that control in her voice, even when she’s leaning into a more contemporary, singer-songwriter vibe.
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She isn't chasing Billboard charts. She seems perfectly content being an independent artist who releases what she wants, when she wants. It’s a vibe that definitely mirrors her dad’s "I do my own thing" energy.
The Elephant in the Room: That 2011 Incident
We have to talk about it because it’s the first thing that hits you when you Google her. Back in 2011, there was a scary incident where Katharine Ross filed a restraining order, alleging that Cleo had become violent and stabbed her with scissors. It was a mess. It was the kind of family trauma that usually ends a relationship forever, especially under the glare of Hollywood.
But here is what most people get wrong: they think they’re still estranged.
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They aren't. Not even close. If you look at Cleo Rose Elliott today, she is arguably her parents' biggest fan. Families are messy. Sometimes the worst moments happen, and then, with a lot of work, they heal. In late 2025 and early 2026, Cleo has been spotted constantly with her parents. Just this past November, she was right there in Fort Worth, Texas, with Sam and Katharine for the Landman season two screening.
They weren't just "posing" for the cameras either. Cleo’s Instagram is filled with genuine, sweet tributes to her parents. She calls herself an "artist" and clearly values the unit they've rebuilt. Sam Elliott even mentioned in a recent interview with Variety that the three of them still embrace their life in Malibu together as a family. They worked past the "s--t," as Sam would probably say in that gravelly voice of his.
Why She Matters in 2026
So, why do we still care? Honestly, it’s because she represents a version of a "nepo baby" that doesn't feel manufactured. She isn't trying to be a Kardashian. She isn't trying to be an "it girl" at Paris Fashion Week.
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- She’s an artist first. Whether it’s her modeling work (which she still dabbles in) or her music, there’s an authenticity there.
- She’s resilient. Coming back from a public mental health crisis or a family blowout is hard. Doing it while the world watches is harder.
- She stays grounded. You’ll see her in the elements of Malibu, living a life that feels remarkably un-Hollywood.
What’s Next for Cleo?
Cleo is currently 41. At this stage in her life, she seems focused on three things: her music, her art, and her family. She’s a member of ASCAP and continues to write, and while she’s had some tiny roles in films like Here Comes Hell, she isn't exactly pounding the pavement for a leading lady role.
She's carving out a life that is hers. Not Sam's. Not Katharine's. Just hers.
How to Follow Her Journey
If you want to keep up with what she's doing without the tabloid filter, here is the best way to do it:
- Check her Apple Music/Spotify: Her 2024 releases are the best indicator of where her head is at creatively.
- Follow her social updates: She’s active on Instagram (look for @cleoroseelliott), where she shares a lot of her photography and family moments.
- Watch for red carpet appearances: She almost always shows up to support Sam Elliott’s projects, like the recent Taylor Sheridan premieres.
The takeaway here is simple: Cleo Rose Elliott today is a reminder that people change. The person she was in 2011 isn't the person she is in 2026. She’s a musician, a daughter, and an artist who managed to find her own voice despite growing up in one of the loudest industries on earth.