Cleo Smith’s mum says toddler ‘loves’ fame in $2 million interview

Cleo Smith’s mum has made surprising comments about her daughter’s life after last year’s 18-day kidnapping nightmare in a $2 million 60 Minutes interview.

The mother of Cleo Smith says her daughter “loves” her new-found fame, although she is still yet to understand why strangers recognise her in the street after her horrifying 18-day kidnapping nightmare.

In a new promo released in the lead up to this Sunday’s $2 million tell-all interview with 60 Minutes, Ellie Smith opens up about how her daughter is coping in the wake of her terrifying ordeal.

The four-year-old made international headlines late last year when Western Australian Police found her in a house at Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth, more than two weeks after she disappeared from a camping ground.

Footage of a detective carrying her out of the home to safety along with audio of the little girl telling officers “my name is Cleo” went viral as the world rejoiced over her miraculous rescue.

Shortly after being recovered, officers took the four-year-old back to her distressed mother Ellie Smith and stepfather Jake Gliddon.

Ms Smith said her daughter is coping extremely well with the attention.

“She loves it,” Ms Smith said. “We were in Perth and someone went up to her and said “hi Cleo”, and she was like “Hi! Hello!”.

Ellie Smith and Jake Gliddon when they spoke to Channel 7's Flashpoint while their daughter was still missing. Picture: Channel 7

But while excited by the affable encounter, the toddler was also slightly confused.

“We walked away, and she was like, “Mum, how does she know my name?”.”

Ms Smith also revealed her daughter’s first words when she was reunited with her parents after she was rescued.

Despite her terrifying ordeal, the toddler was upbeat – and very excited to see her parents.

“[She said] “Hi mummy!’’ Ms Smith said.

Mimicking her daughter‘s enthusiasm, Ms Smith said “Hi baby!” back.

The interview this Sunday will be the first time the parents speak publicly since their daughter’s miraculous rescue last year.

The TV special is expected to recount what happened in the days leading up to her rescue by police officers on November 3, with the four-year-old not expected to front the cameras.

Cleo Smith with her parents after she was rescued. Picture: Getty Images

Channel Nine reportedly offered the pair a $2 million contract for the exclusive tell-all interview, which is believed to be an Australian television record.

The deal is also believed to include a Stan miniseries or documentary and stories across their websites and newspapers.

In another snippet of the interview, Ms Smith tells reporter Tara Brown that she felt “powerless” after waking to find her eldest daughter missing from her tent.

“I had to hope that she was close to me, but she wasn’t,” Ms Smith said.

“It was just nightmare after nightmare.”

It comes as WA Police involved in Cleo’s abduction case revealed they will not take part in a TV special because it is “highly inappropriate”.

Jake Giddon and a Detective carry out gifts for Cleo. Picture: The West Australian

It is also believed that police will not be providing any further information to 60 Minutes, or take part in a mini series which is expected to be aired on streaming service Stan, while the case remains before the courts.

Several officers close to the investigation believe the timing is “highly inappropriate for any episode to be airing prior to completion of the judicial process”.

One source told The West Australian it was “almost contempt of court” and that while they understood why the family accepted the deal and believed it was the right thing to do, airing prematurely could affect the outcome of the case.

Last month, Nine sparked outrage in its ranks over the $2 million interview deal.

Terence Darrell Kelly is being taken to prison in Perth by SOG for alleged kidnapping of Cleo Smith, Carnarvon Airport. Picture: Colin Murty

This was further fuelled after it was revealed the interviews with Cleo’s parents are being conducted over video calls, after Channel 9 snubbed it‘s WA-based reporters.

WA’s closed border means veteran 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown cannot enter the state to do the interviews in person, and it is understood the network had decided not to use their local reporters for the job, including former 60 minutes star Liam Bartlett.

Further angering Nine staff is the fact the network has recently suffered massive budget cuts. The Cleo deal reportedly amounts to about a quarter of 60 Minutes’ annual budget.

Bids for the exclusive interview started almost immediately after the little girl was found, with producers flocking to the remote town.

Originally published as Cleo Smith’s mum says toddler ‘loves’ fame in $2 million interview