You remember the pink tutus. It’s almost impossible not to. Back in 2011, two tiny British cousins—Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland—blasted onto our screens with a YouTube cover of Nicki Minaj’s "Super Bass" that was so high-energy it felt like a caffeine jolt.
Honestly, the internet was a different place then. Sophia Grace and Rosie weren't trying to be "influencers" in the way we think of them now; they were just kids from Essex playing dress-up. But then Ellen DeGeneres saw the video. One invite to The Ellen DeGeneres Show turned into over 30 appearances, a movie deal, and a level of fame that most adults would crumble under.
The Viral Moment That Changed Everything
Sophia Grace was only eight. Rosie was five.
They sat on Ellen's white couch, looking like literal princesses, and talked with these thick British accents that made everything they said sound hilarious. People loved the dynamic: Sophia Grace was the powerhouse performer, and Rosie was the quieter, supportive hype-girl who sometimes looked a little dazed by the bright lights.
They weren't just guests; they became a brand.
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Within a year, they were "Red Carpet Correspondents" at the Grammys and the AMAs. Imagine being seven years old and interviewing Katy Perry or Taylor Swift while wearing a plastic tiara. It was surreal. But as the years went on, the tutus stayed, even as the girls grew up. That’s where things started to get a bit complicated.
Moving Past the "Brit Brats" Image
For a long time, the public wanted them to stay those two little girls in pink.
They even landed guest roles on Nickelodeon’s Sam & Cat, playing characters literally called "The Brit Brats." It was cute, sure, but you could tell Sophia Grace, especially, was itching to be taken seriously as a singer.
There was that whole situation with Disney’s Into the Woods movie too. Sophia Grace was actually cast as Little Red Riding Hood—a huge deal. But then she dropped out. Her father, Dominic Brownlee, eventually explained that after rehearsals started, they realized she was just too young for the darker elements of the role. It was a rare moment where "stage parents" actually pulled back instead of pushing forward, which is kinda refreshing when you look at the history of child stars.
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Where are they now?
Basically, they’ve gone their separate ways professionally, though they’re still close as family.
- Sophia Grace Brownlee: She’s leaned heavily into the music world. She has over 3 million subscribers on YouTube and has released several singles like "Girl in the Mirror" and "Best Friends." She also shocked the internet a couple of years ago by announcing her pregnancy. She’s a mom now. Let that sink in for a second. The "Super Bass" girl has a toddler.
- Rosie McClelland: Rosie has carved out her own path as a singer and social media personality. She’s released music too, like "Handstand," and focuses a lot on lifestyle content. She’s much more vocal now than she ever was as the "quiet cousin" on Ellen’s stage.
The Reality of Growing Up Viral
It wasn't always tea parties and tiaras.
Sophia Grace has talked before about how being the "cute kid" is a double-edged sword. When you're famous for being a caricature of a little girl, it's incredibly hard to transition into being a teenager or an adult artist. People get "nostalgia-angry" when you change. They want you to stay eight years old forever.
They’ve both had to navigate the weird world of UK tabloids and intense social media scrutiny. Honestly, the fact that they both seem relatively grounded is a miracle. They didn't have the typical "child star breakdown." Instead, they just... grew up.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Their Success
A lot of people think Ellen "made" them.
While the show was the massive engine that pushed them into the stratosphere, the girls had an inherent charisma that couldn't be manufactured. They were funny because they were genuinely themselves. When they returned to the Ellen show for its final season in 2022, the vibe was totally different. They were young women reflecting on a childhood that was basically a fever dream.
They even performed "Super Bass" one last time. It was nostalgic, kinda cringey in that way all childhood memories are, and a perfect full-circle moment.
Key Takeaways for Navigating Social Media Fame
If you’re looking at Sophia Grace and Rosie as a blueprint for modern creators, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Diversify early: They didn't just stay on YouTube; they did TV, books (Tea Time with Sophia Grace & Rosie), and merchandising.
- Family control matters: Having parents who are willing to say "no" to a Disney movie because it’s not right for the child is crucial.
- Embrace the pivot: You can't be the "tutu girl" at 20. Sophia Grace’s shift into "mommy vlogging" and mature pop music was a necessary survival move for her brand.
The tutus are definitely retired. But the impact they had on early 2010s internet culture is still there. They were the original "viral kids" before TikTok even existed, proving that a pink dress and a lot of confidence can actually build a career that lasts over a decade.
Next Steps for Following the Duo:
If you want to see their current lives, Sophia Grace is most active on YouTube where she shares life as a young mother and new music. Rosie is very active on TikTok and Instagram, focusing on fashion and teen lifestyle content. Both continue to release music independently, moving far away from the "Tea Time" aesthetic of the early 2010s.