Sophia Grace and Rosie: What Most People Get Wrong About the Ellen Stars

Sophia Grace and Rosie: What Most People Get Wrong About the Ellen Stars

If you spent any time on the internet in 2011, you remember the pink tutus. You remember the plastic tiaras. And you definitely remember a pint-sized British duo rapping Nicki Minaj’s "Super Bass" with more conviction than most professional artists.

Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland didn't just go viral; they became a permanent fixture of pop culture for over a decade. But honestly, if you haven’t checked in on them lately, you’re in for a massive shock. It is 2026, and the "Tea Time" girls aren't exactly kids anymore.

The Viral Moment That Changed Everything

It all started in an Essex living room. Sophia Grace was eight, and her cousin Rosie was only five. Sophia’s aunt (Rosie’s mom) happened to be the only person in the room with an iPhone. On a whim, they filmed a cover of "Super Bass."

Within days, the video exploded.

Ellen DeGeneres saw it, invited them to Los Angeles, and the rest was history. They ended up appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show more than 30 times. They weren't just guests; they were correspondents. They interviewed Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber while sipping tea and eating scones.

What Happened After the Tutus?

Most child stars disappear once the "cute factor" wears off. That didn't happen here. Instead, they leaned into the brand.

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By 2014, they had their own movie, Sophia Grace & Rosie’s Royal Adventure. They published two books. They even had their own singing dolls sold at Walmart. But as they hit their teens, the professional paths of the cousins started to diverge, even though their personal bond stayed rock solid.

Sophia Grace: From Rapper to Mother

Sophia Grace, now 22, took a very different path than many expected. While she continued to release music—her single "Girl in the Mirror" racked up over 13 million streams—she made headlines for a much bigger life update in recent years.

In February 2023, Sophia Grace welcomed her first child, a baby boy named River.

It was a "growing up" moment that hit fans hard. Seeing the girl who used to jump around in a tutu talking about diaper changes and "mamma's day" on Instagram was a surreal experience for the millennial generation that watched her rise. She’s become more of a lifestyle influencer and business owner lately, launching her own clothing line, LoLoLondon.

Rosie McClelland: Finding Her Own Voice

For years, Rosie was seen as the "quiet one" or the hype-girl for Sophia Grace. Honestly, that's not the case anymore.

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Rosie, now 19, has blossomed into a solo artist and actress in her own right. She’s focused heavily on her music career, releasing singles like "Handstand" and "Safe." She’s also a massive TikTok star, with hundreds of thousands of followers who love her for her personality, not just her Ellen history.

The 2022 Reunion and the End of an Era

When The Ellen DeGeneres Show prepared to go off the air in 2022, there was only one way to say goodbye. The cousins returned for one final performance.

They were 19 and 15 at the time. They didn’t wear the tutus (thankfully), but they did recreate the "Super Bass" rap. It was a full-circle moment that served as a final goodbye to their childhood personas. They spoke about how Drake once ate their candy on a red carpet and how Nicki Minaj’s surprise appearance in 2011 still feels like a fever dream.

Where Are They in 2026?

People often assume child stars end up in "where are they now" tragedies. Sophia Grace and Rosie are the exception.

  1. Financial Stability: Thanks to smart management and those early five-picture movie deals (even if the sequels didn't all happen), they both built significant wealth before they could even drive.
  2. Music Maturity: Both cousins are still active in the UK music scene, though they operate as solo artists now rather than a duo.
  3. The Bond: Despite rumors of "falling out" that pop up every few years, they remain incredibly close. Rosie is a frequent fixture in photos with Sophia’s son, River.

Common Misconceptions About the Duo

"They were forced into it by stage parents."
Actually, the family has been pretty open about the fact that they almost didn't post the first video. It was a "just for fun" afternoon of dress-up that accidentally turned into a career.

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"They stopped being friends."
Total myth. While they have separate careers now, they are cousins first. You’ll still see them popping up on each other’s social media feeds, usually laughing about the chaos of their younger years.

"Sophia Grace was supposed to be in Into the Woods."
This one is actually true. She was cast as Little Red Riding Hood in the Disney movie, but her parents pulled her out during rehearsals because they felt she was too young for the darker themes of the role. Lilla Crawford took over the part.

Moving Forward: Lessons from the Tutu Era

The story of Sophia Grace and Rosie is a rare blueprint for "doing it right" in the digital age. They transitioned from viral sensations to television regulars, then to independent creators, all while maintaining their privacy where it mattered.

If you’re looking to follow their current journey, the best way is through their individual YouTube channels and Instagram pages. Sophia Grace continues to share the realities of young motherhood and fashion, while Rosie is the one to watch if you’re interested in the next generation of UK pop music.

To keep up with their latest moves:

  • Watch Sophia Grace’s vlog updates for a look at her life as a business owner and mom.
  • Stream Rosie McClelland’s latest singles on Spotify to see how her sound has evolved from the Ellen days.
  • Look back at their 2022 reunion on YouTube for a hit of pure nostalgia that shows just how far they’ve come.