Emma Roberts recently shared insights into how her familial connections within the entertainment industry have influenced her acting career. The 33-year-old actress, who secured her first film role at just nine years old in Ted Demme’s 2001 film “Blow,” has since then featured in a variety of genres including romantic comedies, thrillers, and horror films. Despite the prevalence of her family members in the industry, Roberts hasn’t been commonly mentioned in discussions about “nepo babies,” a term used to describe individuals who gain opportunities through family ties.
Emma’s father, Eric Roberts, is an established actor known for his roles in series such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Suits,” and films like “Lumina” and “Crimes of the Past.” Following her parents’ separation, her father married Eliza Roberts, an actor who is also a casting director and acting coach. Eliza’s parents were the late screenwriters David Rayfiel and Lila Garrett. Emma’s mother remarried musician Kelly Nickels, and her aunts, Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan, are also actors.
Despite her connections, Emma Roberts insists that her family background has often been more of a hindrance than a help.
In a candid discussion with Flaunt Magazine, she stated, “People have opinions and sometimes maybe they’re not good opinions of people in your family. I’ve never gotten a job because of it, I know I definitely have lost a couple of jobs because of it.”
Roberts further elaborated on the challenges of being perceived as a “nepo baby” during her appearance on the “Table for Two with Bruce Bozzi” podcast, where she was promoting her new movie “Space Cadet.”
She expressed, “That’s the thing that I always talk about – people kind of only see your wins because they only see when you’re on the poster of a movie. They don’t see all the rejection along the way,” she explained.
She emphasizes the importance of transparency about the difficulties faced in her career, noting, “That’s why I’m always very open about things I’ve auditioned for and haven’t gotten the part for. I think it’s important to talk about – otherwise people just think everything’s been so great and linear and easy, and no, it’s not at all. But of course it looks like that to the outside perspective or to the naked eye.”
Emma Roberts’ reflections provide a glimpse into the complex realities of navigating a career in Hollywood, particularly when born into a well-known family in the industry. Despite the perceived advantages, she underscores the personal and professional challenges that often remain unseen by the public.