She is also the co-founder of the book club Belletrist.[4]
Early life
Emma Rose Roberts was born on February 10, 1991, in Rhinebeck, New York,[5] to Kelly Cunningham and actor Eric Roberts.[6] Her parents divorced when she was seven months old. Through her father's marriage, she is the stepdaughter of Eliza Roberts and step-granddaughter of David Rayfiel and Lila Garrett. Through her mother's marriage, she is the stepdaughter of musician Kelly Nickels. She has a younger maternal half-sister, Grace.[7] Her paternal grandmother was acting coach Betty Lou Bredemus, and her aunts are actresses Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan. During her childhood, Roberts spent time on the sets of her aunt Julia's films. These experiences sparked a desire to follow her father and aunts into the film industry.[7] Her mother initially wanted her to have a normal childhood.[8] She is of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, and Swedish descent through her father.[9][10]
Career
2001–2010: Beginnings, from child star to teen idol
Roberts made her acting debut at age nine in Ted Demme's 2001 drama film Blow. It was the first film for which she auditioned.[8] In the film, she portrayed Kristina Jung, the daughter of Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz's characters; the older version of her character was played by Jaime King. That year, she also had a role in Leif Tilden's 10-minute shortbigLove, and was an uncredited extra in some scenes featuring her aunt Julia Roberts in America's Sweethearts.[11] Roberts went on to appear in smaller roles in two family films: in 2002's Grand Champion, as the sister of the main character Buddy (Jacob Fisher); and in 2006's Spymate, as the daughter of former secret agent Mike Muggins (Chris Potter), who tries to rescue her with the help of a spy monkey. Grand Champion had a brief theatrical release in August 2004,[12] while Spymate was not released until February 2006, when it was given a theatrical run in Canada,[13] followed by its DVD release in April 2006.
In 2004, she began starring as the lead character Addie Singer in the Nickelodeon sitcom Unfabulous,[14] which debuted in September of that year. The sitcom earned Roberts several Teen Choice Award and Young Artist Award nominations.[15] The series focused on a seventh grader, Addie, and her two best friends. It aired for three seasons (2004–2007). The show also spawned several television films, including The Perfect Moment. Also in 2004, Roberts guest starred in an episode of the Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh titled "Honor Council". After her run on Unfabulous, Nickelodeon had considered giving Roberts a kick start into a music career.[16] In 2005, Roberts released a debut album titled Unfabulous and More. The album was released on September 27, 2005, through Columbia Records and Nick Records. It also served as the soundtrack to the television series Unfabulous, in which Roberts starred. The album peaked at number 46 and 10 on Billboard'sHeatseekers Albums and Kid Albums charts, respectively.[17] In September 2005, two singles were released from the album: "I Wanna Be" and "Dummy". The album includes several original songs (among them "Dummy" and "I Wanna Be", both of which were also released as music videos, "I Have Arrived" and "This Is Me", which was co-written by Roberts), as well as some of Addie's songs from the first season, including "Punch Rocker" and "New Shoes" (both from the episode "The Party"), "94 Weeks (Metal Mouth Freak)" (from "The Bar Mitzvah") and "Mexican Wrestler" (which had previously appeared on Jill Sobule's 2000 album Pink Pearl and in the episode "The 66th Day" from Unfabulous).
In the same year, Roberts recorded "If I Had It My Way" for the soundtrack of the 2005 Disney film Ice Princess. In 2006, Roberts covered the song "Island in the Sun", which was originally recorded by Weezer in 2001; she recorded the song for the Aquamarinesoundtrack, a film in which she starred as one of the lead actors. Also in 2006, Roberts returned to the big screen, starring alongside Sara Paxton and singer JoJo in Aquamarine.[18][19] She won a 2007 Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actress in a Feature Film for her role in the film.[20] The film Aquamarine took fifth place at the box office in its opening weekend making $8 million.[21] In early 2006, Roberts finished shooting her title role in Nancy Drew. The film was released to theaters on June 15, 2007, and grossed over $7 million in its opening weekend,[22] though the film was not well received by critics.[23] Roberts was set to reunite with Nancy Drew director Andrew Fleming on both Rodeo Gal[24] and a Nancy Drew sequel in 2007, but these films were never made.[25][26]
Roberts said in a 2007 interview: "Right now I am focusing on movies. I am getting ready to start a new movie this summer so that is taking a lot of my time. I think when I am a little bit older it is definitely something I'd like to pursue."[27] In another interview, she said: "My musical career is indefinitely on hold. I don't like people who become like 'actor slash singer.' I think people should be one or the other because usually you're not going to be great at both. You're going to be better at one, so you might as well stick to the one you're good at. I'm going for acting."[28] In 2008, Roberts starred as the lead in the film Wild Child,[29] about a rebellious teen from Malibu, California, sent to a boarding school in England. Roberts described her character as "pretty much your typical spoiled-brat Malibu socialite who gets shipped off to a British boarding school."[30] Roberts also appeared in two films: Lymelife, which was premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, and The Flight Before Christmas, where she had her voiceover debut when she voiced the English version of the character Wilma.[31] In 2009, Roberts starred alongside Jake T. Austin in Hotel for Dogs,[32] based on the novel by Lois Duncan. The film premiered in January 2009, and took fifth place in its opening weekend with over $17 million. The film has to-date grossed over $114 million, and received generally mixed reviews from critics.[33] She also appeared that year in The Winning Season, portraying Abbie Miller. In 2010, Roberts co-starred as Grace in the film Valentine's Day in which her aunt, Julia Roberts also appeared, although they were never together on-screen. She also appeared that year in Twelve, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, 4.3.2.1., It's Kind of a Funny Story, and Virginia.[34]
2011–2019: Mature roles and critical recognition
Roberts at the Denim Habit Event in NYC (October 2011)
In 2011, she starred alongside Freddie Highmore in the romantic comedy The Art of Getting By.[35][36] She also played the role of Jill Roberts in the Wes Craven film Scream 4.[37][38] Roberts next appeared in the 2012 film Celeste and Jesse Forever, parodying pop stars such as Kesha with her performance as Riley Banks, an incurious blonde singer. Roberts said in an interview that her role as Banks tempted her to write an album of songs using her character as an alter ego.[39] On February 7, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Roberts had been cast to star in a pilot for Fox called Delirium, based on the Lauren Oliver novels. She portrayed Lena Haloway, the protagonist, but Fox decided not to pick up the show.[40][41] The pilot episode was picked up by Hulu and was available to stream for a limited time beginning on June 20, 2014.[42]
Roberts co-starred with John Cusack and Evan Peters in the comedy-drama film Adult World, released on April 18, 2013. Roberts played a recent college graduate who works at a sex shop to make ends meet. She has said that most of her lines were ad-libbed so her reactions in the film were completely genuine.[43] Her performance was praised by both Andrew O'Hehir of Salon and Stephanie Zacharek of The Village Voice, who praised Roberts' performance as "both breezy and carefully tuned".[44] In the next month, she guest starred as Amanda Barrington in the animated sitcom Family Guy, in the episode "No Country Club for Old Men".[45] Roberts then starred in the comedy film We're the Millers, alongside Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis. It was released on August 3, 2013. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a financial success, grossing over $269 million against a budget of $37 million.[46] Roberts played the lead role in Gia Coppola's directorial debut, Palo Alto, based on James Franco's short story collection of the same name. The film was released on August 29, 2013. It received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for Roberts' performance. Tom Shone of The Guardian and Ian Freer of Empire both called her the "standout" of the film,[47] with Freer praising her performance for being "heartbreaking as she suggests longings and anxieties without over-hyping it. Much like the film itself."[48]
She next appeared in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, where she reprised her role of Madison Montgomery for the crossover season, returning to the main cast.[68] On October 8, 2018, it was announced that Roberts had joined the cast of the animated musical comedy film UglyDolls, voicing the character Wedgehead. The film was released on May 3, 2019.[69] In the same month, after reports about Roberts being cast as Kat Baker in the Netflix series Spinning Out, it was announced that she had exited the series due to scheduling conflicts.[70] In 2019, Roberts starred in the fantasy drama film Paradise Hills, as Uma.[71] The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26.[72][73] From September through November 2019, Roberts starred in the ninth season of American Horror Story, subtitled 1984, portraying Brooke Thompson. The season has been described as being heavily influenced by classic horror slasher films such as Friday the 13th and Halloween.[74][75]
Roberts appeared on the March 2022 cover of Tatler, with a photoshoot conducted at the Chateau Marmont in The Hamptons, a locale she has visited since her mother moved there.[89] In the interview, Roberts spoke about her interest in adapting books for film and television as she explores a production career.[89] Additionally, in 2022, Roberts voiced the character Sasha Nutwagon in the animated film, Saurus City, which is currently in post-production.[90][91]
Work as producer
Emma Roberts has explored producing, in addition to acting. She established her production company, Belletrist TV and secured a first-look television deal with Hulu, focusing on book adaptations for television.[2] Her debut as an executive producer came with the adaptation of Carola Lovering's Tell Me Lies, which premiered in September 2022.[92][93] Roberts is also slated to both produce and star in Space Cadet, a romantic comedy film set to be exclusively released on Prime Video.[93]
Belletrist book club
In 2017, Roberts, along with her friend Karah Preiss, founded the book club Belletrist.[4][94] The initiative aims to foster a community where women can feel confident and empowered, with a broader goal of promoting reading.[95] The first book featured on Belletrist was Joan Didion's South and West.[96] Belletrist operates on a monthly schedule, where a new book is introduced each month along with some form of interaction with the author, which may vary from videos to interviews or other engaging formats.[96]
Belletrist extends its recommendations to both established and emerging authors. Through the platform, Roberts has recommended a variety of books including Octavia E Butler's Fledgling,Lisa Taddeo's Animal,Ariel Levy's The Rules Do Not Apply, The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells byAndrew Sean Greer, Eileen Myles' Chelsea Girls and When Watched by Leopoldine Core, among others.[96][97]
Public image
In February 2009, Roberts was named the brand ambassador for Neutrogena, appearing in print and television advertisements for the company.[98] She has appeared multiple times as part of Teen Vogue's Best Dressed list, including in June 2007, September 2008, December 2008, and February 2009.[99]
In January 2021, Roberts paid tribute to her aunt Julia Roberts as the new ambassador of the Pretty Woman collection corresponding to the French jewelry firm Fred.[100]
Charity
Roberts has been involved in various charitable endeavors and philanthropic activities, focusing on children's welfare, environmental advocacy, women's rights, and public health awareness. She actively supports the Children's Cancer Research Fund, and has been a frequent participant in fundraising events for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[101] In 2017, Roberts hosted the L.A. Art Show, an event whose proceeds were donated to St. Jude's. She also attended the 2018 edition of the L.A. Art Show, among her other engagements.[101] More recently, in November 2023, Roberts was involved in St. Jude's Giving Tuesday event, where she led a celebrity unboxing segment.[102]
Roberts has worked with organizations like Girls Inc. to promote women's rights and empowerment. She has been involved in campaigns for gender equality and women's health.[103][104] She collaborated with Free People Movement for a Thanksgiving Day 2023 campaign, focused on performing acts of kindness and assisting those in need, committing to donate all net proceeds to Girls Inc.[103]
Personal life
In September 2011, Roberts began attending Sarah Lawrence College but by January 2012, she had put her studies on hold to concentrate on work commitments.[105]
An avid reader, she launched her book club on Instagram, titled Belletrist, in March 2017.[96][106]
On a 2023 episode of Finding Your Roots featuring Julia Roberts, it was revealed that Emma Roberts' biological paternal great-great-great-grandfather's surname was actually Mitchell, not Roberts.[109]
In 2012, Roberts began dating actor Evan Peters, whom she met on the set of the film Adult World.[111] In July 2013, while they were staying at a hotel in Montreal, Quebec, someone overheard a heated dispute coming from their room and called the police. When the police arrived, the officers detained Roberts but released her hours later without charging her or Peters. In a joint statement, the couple called the incident "an unfortunate incident and misunderstanding" and said they are "working together to overcome this."[112][113] Throughout their relationship, they separated and reconciled multiple times,[114] even getting engaged in March 2014.[115] With their second split reportedly happening in May 2016,[116] after reuniting later that year, they ended their relationship in March 2019.[117]
In March 2019, Roberts began a relationship with actor and musician Garrett Hedlund.[118] In August 2020, it was announced that the couple were expecting their first child together.[119] Roberts subsequently appeared as the first pregnant celebrity on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine that December.[120] Their son was born on December 27, 2020, in Los Angeles.[121][122] Country singer and actor Tim McGraw is the godfather of Roberts's son.[123] In January 2022, it was announced that Roberts and Hedlund had ended their relationship.[124]
On July 16, 2024, Roberts announced her engagement to actor Cody John via Instagram.[125] The couple began their relationship in August 2022.[126]
^ abElaine Lipworth (2005). "Recognise That Smile?". You Magazine (July 24, 2005): 28–31. I'm definitely closer to my mom and stepdad and I don't see my real father much
^Interview conducted by Bonnie Laufer (May 14, 2007). "Emma Roberts one-on-one interview". Tribute Magazine. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
^Celebrity Interview by Jeanne Wolf (January 14, 2009). "Emma Roberts, Not Your Average 'Tween' Star". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Parade Magazine. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
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