Country singer Elle King recently shed light on her complicated relationship with her father, comedian Rob Schneider, in a candid discussion on the Dumb Blonde podcast hosted by Bunnie XO. King, known for her raw and honest lyrics, didn’t hold back when talking about the deep rift that has developed between her and her father over the years.
In a preview clip posted on TikTok, King revealed that she and Schneider often go “four or five years” without speaking. Despite occasional public appearances together, King described their relationship as distant, marked by long periods of silence and unresolved tensions. Reflecting on her childhood, King labeled Schneider as “toxic” and recalled how his career often took precedence over his role as a father.
King shared that during the rare times she spent with Schneider, such as summers on movie sets, she often felt neglected and in trouble if she interfered with his work. “If I would ever spend a summer with my dad, it would be on a movie set. I would just get lost in the shuffle. If I ever messed up a shot, if I ever was talking, I would get in fucking trouble,” she recounted. Additionally, she spoke about her painful experiences at a “fat camp,” where she was sent by Schneider and later scolded for not losing weight after an injury. The hurt extended beyond these incidents, as King also noted that Schneider “forgot about every single birthday.”
But the strain in their relationship isn’t just rooted in the past. King’s issues with Schneider have deepened due to his recent controversial statements, particularly regarding the LGBTQ+ community. In a pointed criticism, King reacted strongly to Schneider’s now-deleted Twitter post about the drag queen performance at this year’s Paris Olympics. “I disagree with a lot of the things that he says,” King expressed, adding, “You’re talking out of your ass, and you’re talking shit about drag and, you know, anti-gay rights. And it’s like, get fucked.”
The tension between King and Schneider highlights the often-complex dynamics within celebrity families, where public personas and private relationships can be at odds. As King continues to navigate her career and personal life, it remains to be seen how, or if, these deep-seated issues with her father will be resolved.
