Emma Roberts Spoke Out About Growing Up With A Famous Aunt And Watching Her On Sets

    Roberts domination.

    Andria Moore
    by Andria Moore

    BuzzFeed Staff

    It's no secret that Emma Roberts is the niece of Academy Award-winning actor Julia Roberts.

    Julia and Emma posing together for photographers at a red carpet event
    Gregg Deguire / FilmMagic / Getty Images

    But Emma hasn't let that stop her from carving her own path in the industry. At 30, she's played the sweet, lovable dork in countless teen comedies, transitioned to horror in American Horror Story, and accurately portrayed life as a single twentysomething in the Netflix rom-com Holidate.

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    One would think that with such a famous aunt, going into the same career might be a bit intimidating, but Emma said in a recent Tatler interview that she's just "doing her own thing."

    Emma and Julia smiling as the walk a red carpet at an event
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    "I never aspired to be her," Emma said. "I love her so much, I love her work, but I’m just doing my own thing."

    Gregg Deguire / FilmMagic / Getty Images

    Growing up, Emma said she learned so much about the industry by visiting her aunt on set.

    Jeffrey Mayer / WireImage / Getty Images

    "I’d write the wardrobe tags and organize the make-up brushes and watch how they did their continuity books," she said. "I would ask questions without a filter. This industry really is 'learn as you go.'"

    And sometimes she even got to try on some of the costumes. On the set of Erin Brockovich, Emma said in a 2020 interview that "there are photos" of her trying on Julia's outfits from the movie and posing in the wardrobe trailer.

    Julia as Erin Brockovich sitting at a desk surrounded by filing boxes
    Universal / ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "It was so fun," she said. "It literally was like getting to play dress-up and hair and makeup on a whole new level."

    And in 2001, she got to play an extra in America's Sweethearts.

    Julia and John Cusack looking into each other's eyes in a scene from America's Sweethearts
    Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    It was at age 8 that Emma was inspired to start acting as well, and was quickly cast in Blow alongside Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz at only 9.

    A young Emma being held by Penélope in a scene from Blow
    New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "The director talked to my mom and said that I wouldn’t be around anything inappropriate," she said. 

    Both Julia and Emma have only ever spoken highly of each other, and it's clear that they have maintained a loving relationship throughout Emma's life.

    Gabriel Bouys / AFP via Getty Images

    "She's the best," Emma said in a 2014 interview.