Emma Olivia Watkins (born 21 September 1989)[2] is an Australian children's entertainer, dancer and television presenter. She is best known as the first female member of the children's group the Wiggles, which she was a member of from 2013 to 2021. Due to her popularity in the group, she starred in her own spinoff series as a solo Wiggles performer, titled Emma!. After departing the group, she debuted her own children's entertainment character, Emma Memma, in 2022. She released her first solo children's music album in September 2022, which received an ARIA Award for Best Children's Album in 2023.
Watkins started ballet when she was four. She saw the Wiggles perform Irish dancing and later studied other styles of dance, including jazz, hip hop, tap and contemporary. She attended The McDonald College, a performing arts school, won a full scholarship at the Sydney Film School, and completed a certificate specialising in musical theatre at ED5 International in Sydney. Watkins earned a master's degree in Media Arts and Production at the University of Technology Sydney. She has taught dance to children since she was in high school. She has also performed in Bollywood films, learned drums and other percussion instruments, was crowned Miss Granny Smith Apples in 2009, and was learning Auslan, the Australian sign language, by 2012.[1] As of 2021, she was doing her PhD research on sign language and dance.[3]
Career
2010–2021: The Wiggles
In 2010, Watkins began performing with the Wiggles, first as Fairy Larissa and then as Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur, and as a Wiggly Dancer.[1][4][5] She used her film skills during tours with the group, providing them with video and editing services.[1] In May 2012, the Wiggles announced that Watkins would become the first female Wiggle, replacing founding member Greg Page as the Yellow Wiggle.[4] The original members stated that they chose Watkins because she was the most qualified for the job, and commented that it was "a strategy for marketing the Wiggles into the next generation".[6]
Lisa Tolin of the Associated Press called Watkins a strong role model for girls, and reported that her fans came to concerts dressed like her and that they gave her homemade bows, which had become part of her signature look.[7] Because of her popularity, the company produced a new television series titled Emma!, featuring Watkins as a solo performer, which aired in 2015.[8] Up to 80% of the audience at Wiggles concerts would emulate her costuming and wear yellow; by 2021 it was estimated that 50% of the group's merchandising was specific to the "Emma" brand.[9]
In September 2019, it was announced that Watkins would host weekend afternoon programs on Sydney and Melbourne radio station smoothfm.[10] In October 2020, Watkins appeared in the music video for "Back 2 Back" by Samantha Jade. At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards in November, she joined an ensemble of Australian women singers to perform "I Am Woman" as a tribute to its singer and songwriter, Helen Reddy.[11]
It was reported through corporate filings that Watkins had acquired approximately 8% ownership of the Wiggles' brand as well as a company directorship in June 2018.[9] Watkins announced her departure from the Wiggles in October 2021 and was replaced by Tsehay Hawkins.[12][13]
2022–present: Emma Memma and other television work
In early 2022, Watkins hinted at the introduction of a new children's entertainment character, Emma Memma, through her social media.[14] The new character was designed to incorporate elements of song, dance and sign language.[14]Toronto-based company Headspinner Productions announced their partnership with Watkins in July 2022 to debut the character in a new pre-school television series titled Emma Memma: Sing. Dance. Sign.[15] Watkins was appointed as an executive producer for the series, to be produced through her company Apricot Sea.[15] The series is expected to begin filming in early 2023 for release later in the year.[15] The character and its design were officially revealed in July;[16] music videos were subsequently released through YouTube.[15] In February 2023, Watkins released a book to go with her Emma Memma character, music and upcoming children's television series. The book was titled Hello, Emma Memma.[17][18][19]
During this period, Watkins competed on the fourth season of the Australian version of The Masked Singer as "Zombie" placing eighth.[20][21] She also appeared as a celebrity contestant on the 2022 Lego Masters Australia Christmas special.[22][23] Watkins provided the narration for the ABC children's series Reef School in 2022.[24] In June 2023, Watkins released another children's story book titled Emma Memma: How Are You?[25] as well as her first activity book that was called Emma Memma Sticker Activity Book.[26] Later that year, Watkins competed on the seventh season of The Amazing Race Australia with her sister, Hayley Watkins; tying equal first with Darren McMullen and nephew Tristan, and Alli Simpson and mother Angie.[27] In October 2023, she released her third kids story book, which was titled Emma Memma's Alphabet Day.[28] The book includes a fun little story involving Emma Memma as well as a page full of detailed illustrations presenting each letter of the alphabet in Auslan.[29] She also released her second activity book titled Emma Memma Craft Book.[30] In 2024, Watkins hosted the third season of Teenage Boss.[31]
Personal life
Watkins and fellow Wiggles performer Lachlan Gillespie were married on 9 April 2016 at Hopewood House in Bowral, New South Wales.[32][33] On 3 August 2018, Watkins and Gillespie announced their separation.[34]
In April 2018, Watkins was forced to withdraw from several shows, suffering from pain caused by severe endometriosis. She underwent surgery after being diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis. Her specialist, Professor Jason Abbott, believes that Watkins's speaking out about her diagnosis helped raise awareness of the condition.[35]
On 5 April 2021, Watkins announced her engagement to Oliver Brian, a musician who worked with the Wiggles. They began dating in December 2019.[36] On 2 May 2022, she and Brian were married.[37]
Publications
Hello, Emma Memma (February 2023)
Emma Memma: How Are You? (June 2023)
Emma Memma Sticker Activity Book (June 2023)
Emma Memma's Alphabet Day (October 2023)
Emma Memma Craft Book (October 2023)
Emma Memma: The Wheels on the Butterfly Bus (February 2024)
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
^ abCousins, Lucy E. (1 June 2021). "The Business of Being Emma Wiggle". T Magazine Australia. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
^Memma, Emma (10 October 2023). Emma Memma's Alphabet Day (1st ed.). Puffin. ISBN978-1-76134-378-0.
^Memma, Emma (10 October 2023). Emma Memma Craft Book: Create fun craft, includes a green plane cardboard insert (1st ed.). Puffin. ISBN978-1-76134-182-3.
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