You probably know the voice. It’s that raspy, soulful growl that made "Ex's & Oh's" a permanent radio fixture. But if you’ve ever looked at the name Elle King and wondered why it doesn’t match her famous father—comedian Rob Schneider—you’re looking at half the story. The other half, the foundational half, is her mother.
London King isn't just a footnote in a celebrity Wikipedia entry. She’s the woman who raised a rockstar in the suburbs of Ohio, far away from the glitz and "toxic" baggage of Hollywood. Honestly, when people search for elle king mom, they’re often looking for drama. What they find instead is a story of a former model turned doula who basically became the anchor for one of the most rebellious voices in modern music.
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Why Elle King Mom Matters More Than You Think
Elle King was born Tanner Elle Schneider. Let’s be real: having a Saturday Night Live alum for a dad should have made the path to fame easy, right? Wrong. Elle famously ditched the "Schneider" name at 18. She didn't want to be a "nepo baby" before that was even a TikTok buzzword. She wanted to be her own person.
By choosing her mother’s surname, she wasn’t just picking a cooler stage name. She was planting a flag. London King was the one there for the long haul. While Rob Schneider was out filming movie after movie, London was the one navigating the everyday chaos of raising a kid who felt like an outsider.
Elle has been incredibly vocal about this. In a 2024 interview on the Dumb Blonde podcast, she didn't hold back. She described her childhood as difficult, mentioning her father’s absence and even claiming he sent her to "fat camp" as a kid. Throughout all that turbulence, her mom remained the steady constant.
The Life of London King
London King had her own brush with the spotlight long before Elle hit the charts. Back in the '90s, she was a successful model. If you flip through old copies of Vogue or Mademoiselle, you might spot her. She even dabbled in acting, appearing in films like A Better Way to Die (2000) and The Calling (2002).
But Hollywood wasn't her endgame. Not by a long shot.
She eventually pivoted into a career that’s about as far from a movie set as you can get. London became a doula. She dedicated her life to helping women through the raw, intense experience of childbirth. It’s a job that requires massive empathy and physical stamina—traits that Elle clearly inherited, even if she expresses them through a banjo and a microphone.
Growing Up in Ohio
After London and Rob divorced in 1990—just a year after Elle was born—the mother-daughter duo headed to Ohio. This is a crucial detail. Growing up in Wellston and Columbus gave Elle a perspective that most "celebrity kids" never get.
- The Stepfather Influence: In 2000, London married Justin Tesa. Elle credits her stepdad with being the one who actually pushed her toward music. He gave her a record by The Donnas when she was nine, and that was the spark.
- The Outsider Status: Elle has talked about being the "chubby girl" who was made fun of in school. London was the support system through those awkward years.
- The Surname Choice: When Elle turned 18, the decision to use "King" was a tribute to the woman who did the heavy lifting.
The Connection Today: From Doula to Grandma
The bond between Elle and her mom hasn't faded with fame. In fact, it seems to have gotten stronger. When Elle gave birth to her first son, Lucky, in September 2021, she didn't just have her mom in the room for support. London was her doula.
Think about that for a second. The person who raised you is now the professional guiding you through the birth of your own child. Elle shared a deeply personal post on Instagram afterward, calling her mother her "best friend." She thanked London for helping her through the entire process, even when the birth plan changed and Lucky ended up being a "belly birth" (C-section).
It’s a rare level of closeness. In early 2026, London continues to be a staple in Elle’s life, often seen in the background of tour photos or helping out with her grandsons, Lucky and Royal (who was born in February 2025).
Common Misconceptions About London King
Because she keeps a relatively low profile compared to her ex-husband, there’s a lot of bad info out there.
- "She's still an actress": Not really. While she has the credits, she’s been focused on her doula work for over a decade.
- "She hates Rob Schneider": While Elle has been open about her "ebb and flow" relationship with her dad, London has mostly stayed out of the public fray. She seems focused on the family unit she built in Ohio.
- "She pushed Elle into show business": Actually, it was London’s husband, Justin, who provided the musical catalyst. London provided the emotional safety net to let Elle fail until she didn't.
The Takeaway for Fans
When you look at the career of Elle King, you’re seeing the result of London King’s parenting. The grit, the refusal to conform to "pop star" standards, and the deep-seated need for authenticity—that all comes from a childhood where she was taught to be her own person.
If you’re trying to understand Elle, stop looking at the Deuce Bigalow credits. Look at the woman who walked away from the industry to help people bring new life into the world. That's the real influence.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story:
- Check the Credits: Next time you listen to Come Get Your Wife, listen for the themes of family and "hometown" roots. That's the Ohio influence of London and Justin coming through.
- Follow the Personal Journey: Elle often shares glimpses of her life with London on social media. It's one of the few places you'll see the "unfiltered" version of celebrity family life.
- Understand the Rebrand: Knowing why she took the name King changes how you view her music. It wasn't a marketing gimmick; it was an act of independence.
The story of elle king mom is ultimately a story about choosing who your family is, regardless of whose DNA you carry. It’s about the person who stays when the cameras aren't rolling. London King stayed, and that’s why her name is the one on the album covers.
Next Steps to Understand the King Legacy:
Research the discography of Elle's stepdad, Justin Tesa, or look into London King’s doula practice in New York/Ohio to see how she transitioned from the screen to healthcare.