Elle King: I Didn’t Want to Hurt Dad Rob Schneider by Speaking My Truth

Elle King has recently discussed her troubled relationship with her father, comedian Rob Schneider. In an interview with People, she revealed the complexities of their connection after igniting feud rumors earlier this year due to some statements made on a podcast.

King expressed surprise that her comments became viral, stating, “I never in a million years thought that that was going to go viral. I was just speaking about my childhood and about my truth. I was not trying to hurt him.”

During her appearance on the “Dumb Blonde” podcast with Bunnie XO, she shared that there are times when she doesn’t speak to her father for four or five years. This revelation brings to light the significant distance in their relationship.

King disclosed further details about her upbringing, mentioning that Schneider “forgot about every single birthday” when she was growing up. She recalled celebrating her 18th birthday in summer school, where she received cupcakes but went home to find out her dad had forgotten the occasion entirely.

In her podcast discussion, King also expressed disagreement with many of Schneider’s views, notably his remarks about drag and LGBTQ+ rights. Recently, Schneider had posted on social media regarding the presence of drag queens at the Olympics, which seemed to have sparked King’s critique.

Further complicating their relationship, King recalled being sent to a “fat camp” as a child, where she faced challenges after spraining her ankle and not achieving weight loss goals. She also mentioned a tense moment when Schneider called her, demanding that she cease discussing him in the media.

Additionally, King addressed Schneider’s recent apology during an interview with Tucker Carlson, describing it as “like a double negative” and stating it “means nothing” to her. She emphasized that conversations like these don’t always have to stay behind closed doors. “A lot of people said, ‘How could she say that about her family?’ and ‘Everything needs to be behind closed doors.’ No, it doesn’t,” she pointed out.

The singer explained that sometimes it is essential to voice concerns and emotions to avoid carrying burdens for a lifetime. She stated, “Sometimes you have to just say things and get them off your chest so that you don’t have to carry it for the rest of your life.”

King expressed unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “What I will say is the best thing that came from that is that my incredible LGBTQ+ community knows that they have an ally in me.” This declaration came in the context of her earlier criticisms of her father’s comments.

It’s been a challenging year for King, who recently released a new single. Earlier in the year, she faced backlash for a drunken performance during a tribute concert to Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry. She later opened up on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast about entering a “therapeutic program,” explaining that her struggles were more significant than what people realized.

Despite the difficult family dynamics, King continues to assert her identity and support for causes that are important to her. Her candidness about her experiences has resonated with many, reflecting her desire to be true to herself and her community.

Source: USA TODAY