Everyone remembers where they were when two tiny girls in pink tutus and plastic tiaras absolutely owned Nicki Minaj’s "Super Bass." It was 2011. The world was simpler. And honestly, watching a pint-sized British kid rap about "that boom, badoom, boom" was the serotonin boost we all needed.
But that viral clip on The Sophia Grace Ellen Show segments wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It turned into a decade-long saga that involved Hollywood contracts, Billboard-charting singles, and a very public transition into adulthood that left fans scratching their heads.
The $50,000 Pink Tutu Empire
When Sophia Grace Brownlee and her cousin Rosie McClelland first stepped onto Ellen’s stage, nobody expected them to become series regulars. They were basically the show's unofficial mascots. Ellen didn’t just give them a one-off interview; she sent them to the Grammys. She sent them to the American Music Awards. They were getting red-carpet access that most seasoned journalists would kill for.
But here is what most people forget: this wasn't just "cute kids being cute." It was a massive business operation.
By the time they starred in their own straight-to-DVD movie, Sophia Grace & Rosie's Royal Adventure, the stakes were high. Court documents actually leaked showing that Sophia Grace was paid around $50,000 for that first film. There was even a five-picture deal on the table that could have seen her making $100,000 per movie if the sequels kept coming.
She was a pre-teen mogul.
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The Into the Woods Mystery
You might remember the drama back in 2014 when Disney was casting the film adaptation of Into the Woods. Sophia Grace was originally cast as Little Red Riding Hood. It was huge. She was set to star alongside Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.
Then, she vanished from the project.
Speculation went wild. Was she fired? Did she quit? Her father, Dominic Brownlee, eventually cleared it up, explaining that as rehearsals started, they realized she was just too young for the darker themes of the role. Lilla Crawford took over, and Sophia Grace went back to the pink-tutu-and-tiara brand that fans loved.
It was a pivot that probably saved her childhood, but it definitely changed the trajectory of her "traditional" Hollywood career.
Life After the Tutus: Motherhood and Music
Fast forward to right now, 2026. If you haven't checked in on Sophia Grace lately, you’re in for a shock. The "Super Bass" girl is a mother of two.
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She welcomed her first son, River, in February 2023. At 19, she faced a massive amount of internet "mom-shaming," which she handled with a weird amount of grace for someone who grew up in a fishbowl. Then, just a few weeks ago in late December 2024, she welcomed her second child, a daughter.
She's documented the whole thing on her YouTube channel, which has over 3.5 million subscribers. She’s not that little girl in the tutu anymore. She’s a 22-year-old lifestyle influencer who runs a clothing brand called LOLO LONDON.
Where does Rosie fit in?
The biggest question fans always ask: "Are they still friends?"
There were rumors for years that the cousins had a falling out. They stopped appearing together as much, and their solo careers started to diverge. Rosie started focusing more on her own music, like her single "HeadRush."
But in 2022, they reunited for one last hurrah on The Ellen DeGeneres Show before it went off the air. They performed "Super Bass" again, and honestly, it was emotional. Sophia Grace has since clarified that they are still basically sisters. Her dad is Rosie’s mom’s brother—they’re first cousins, and they're still tight. They just grew up. It happens.
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The Viral Legacy
What people get wrong about the Sophia Grace Ellen Show phenomenon is thinking it was an accident. Sure, the first video was organic, but the longevity was pure strategy. They published two New York Times best-selling children's books. They had a doll line at Walmart.
Sophia Grace even managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 with her single "Best Friends" in 2015. Most adult artists never touch that chart.
The transition from "Ellen's favorite guest" to "independent creator" isn't easy. Think about all the other viral kids from that era. Most of them are gone. Sophia Grace stayed relevant by embracing the shift from TV to TikTok and YouTube early on.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just curious about how child stars actually survive the spotlight, here are three things worth checking out:
- Watch the 2022 Reunion: Look up their final appearance on Ellen. It’s a fascinating look at two people who are clearly aware of their own "character" but are ready to move on.
- Check out the LOLO LONDON designs: If you’re into the Essex-style fashion, her brand gives a lot of insight into her current vibe.
- Revisit the "Super Bass" original: Go back and watch the 2011 clip. Look at the energy. It’s a masterclass in why some things go viral while others don't—it was the pure, unscripted confidence.
The era of the "Ellen Kid" is over, but Sophia Grace’s career is a weirdly successful blueprint for how to navigate internet fame without falling off the rails. She took the pink tutus, turned them into a bank account, and then just... grew up.