Most people know her for the gravelly, powerhouse vocals on "Ex’s & Oh’s" or her recent pivot into country. But for a long time, a lot of fans had no clue that Elle King—born Tanner Elle Schneider—is the daughter of Saturday Night Live alum and comedy veteran Rob Schneider.
It wasn't an accident. She dropped the famous last name early on because she wanted to be her own person. She didn't want the "nepo baby" label before that was even a viral term. Honestly, the two have spent years in a complicated dance of public reconciliations and sudden, "don't talk to me" estrangements.
As of early 2026, things aren't exactly "flowing" in the Schneider-King household. If you’ve seen the headlines, you know it’s been a rollercoaster.
The "Fat Camp" and Forgotten Birthdays
The drama really boiled over recently when Elle went on the Dumb Blonde podcast with Bunnie Xo. She didn't hold back. It wasn't just typical "we don't get along" stuff; she got specific.
She talked about being a "heavy child" and how her dad sent her to "fat camp." It gets worse. She recalled spraining her ankle one summer at camp and getting in trouble because she didn't lose weight. She called the whole thing "toxic and silly."
Then there were the birthdays. Or the lack of them. According to Elle, Rob forgot "every single birthday." One year, she spent her 18th birthday in summer school, and it was the school staff who brought her cupcakes, not her family.
Why she changed her name
Elle was raised mostly by her mom, former model London King, and her stepfather, Justin Tesa, in Ohio. She attributes her musical soul to Tesa, who gave her a record by The Donnas when she was nine. That’s when the lightbulb went on.
When she started getting famous, she made a conscious choice to be Elle King. She wanted to know that if she succeeded, it was because she worked for it. When she finally started doing press, she says her dad actually called her and told her: "Don't fing talk about me in the press."* Talk about a mixed message. On one hand, he didn't want her "using" his name, but on the other, he seemed to want to gatekeep her narrative.
That Viral Apology (and why it fell flat)
After the podcast went viral, Rob Schneider did what a lot of celebs do now: he went on a platform to respond. He sat down with Tucker Carlson and offered a public apology.
"I want to just tell my daughter, Elle, I love you, and I wish I was the father in my 20s that you needed," Rob said. "Clearly I wasn't, and I hope you can forgive me for my shortcomings."
On the surface? Sounds great. Very "healing."
But Elle wasn't buying it. She later told People that an apology on that specific platform felt like a "double negative." To her, it felt performative. She wasn't trying to "attack" him; she was just telling her truth about her childhood.
The Clash of Values
It's not just about the past, though. It's about who they are now.
Rob Schneider has become a vocal figure in conservative circles, often making comments about drag culture and LGBTQ+ rights that don't sit well with his daughter.
Elle has been very loud about being an ally. She’s performed at Pride events and has made it clear that she fundamentally disagrees with her father's public stances.
- She views his comments as harmful.
- He views her public "call-outs" as family tragedies played out in the news.
- They are basically at a total stalemate.
A Brief Moment of Peace
It wasn't always this way. Around 2018, it looked like they had turned a corner. Elle had gone through a really rough divorce and was struggling with substance abuse. She reached out to her dad.
📖 Related: Preslee Nelson: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Age in 2025
She wanted her half-sisters—Miranda and Madeline—to know her. She wanted to be a good big sister. For a few years, they were actually close. Rob would send her texts in all caps saying her music was going to "change the world."
But as her son Lucky was born in 2021, and her second son Royal arrived in early 2025, the cracks started showing again. It seems the "boundaries" they talked about having were more like temporary fences that eventually blew over.
Where they stand in 2026
Right now? They aren't talking.
Elle is focused on her "High Road" era—a theme she’s adopted for her career and life. It's about being the person she wants to be, regardless of the family baggage. She’s back with her partner Dan Tooker, raising their two boys, and touring.
Rob is still doing his thing, but the bridge between them seems pretty burned. Again.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Family Rifts
If you’re looking at this celebrity drama and seeing reflections of your own family, here is what we can actually learn from the Schneider/King saga:
Prioritize your own peace. Elle mentioned that she had to "get things off her chest" so she didn't have to carry them forever. Sometimes speaking your truth is for your own healing, not for the other person's reaction.
👉 See also: Kate Gosselin Hair Explained: The Truth Behind That 2000s Spiky Bob
Boundaries aren't permanent. Just because you reconcile once doesn't mean you're "cured." Relationships are fluid. It's okay to step back again if the "flow" stops being healthy.
Identity is yours to build. You don't have to be defined by your parents' reputation or their mistakes. Whether your last name is Schneider or something totally common, you get to pick your own stage name, literally or metaphorically.
Watch for the "Performative Apology." If someone apologizes to you in a way that feels like it’s for an audience rather than for you, it’s okay to feel like it "means nothing." Real reconciliation usually happens behind closed doors, not on a podcast.