Could you imagine being born into a famous family? That sounds like a dream! Luckily for actress Emma Roberts, this was the case. Both her father, Eric, and her aunt Julia pursued acting as their careers and managed to make it big. Some might even argue that this brother/sister duo could be seen as one of the most successful ever.
Like all families, they have their drama. The main difference in their case, though, is that any time they had drama, the whole world got a front and center view. They struggle with the game of life just like any other family while helping each other along the way. If you’ve ever wanted to know how this family managed to become so famous, look no further.
So… Is Emma Roberts Related to Julia Roberts?
In case it wasn’t already clear from the introduction, yes, the actresses Julia and Emma Roberts are related! Julia is Emma’s father’s sister, making her an aunt on her paternal side. Though Eric, Julia, and Emma have all made big names for themselves for their personal acting abilities, this aunt and niece duo are known best.
Being Hollywood starlets, they’ve all made headlines… but not because of their artistic abilities. Eric, Emma’s father, and his sister Julia don’t always get along, having a rather unconventional sibling dynamic. Emma and her father have a famously tough relationship; however, what family, famous or not, doesn’t have their own set of problems?
Emma Is Accused of Being a Homewrecker
Emma Roberts is currently happy with her man, Evan Peters, even if their relationship is tumultuous. Before the two got together, it’s believed that Roberts is the main reason why Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen split up after a decade-long relationship. Reports say that Bilson found flirty text message exchanges between her beau and Roberts.
Bilson reportedly found the text message exchanges between Christensen and Roberts, which naturally would bring her to believe that there had to be something stirring between the two, not long after they finished shooting the film Little Italy. Granted, that leads to a lot of room for speculation; just because you’re texting doesn’t mean you’re secretly together!
Did Emma Really Break Up a Couple?
While likely unintentional, it’s believed that she was the reason why this Hollywood power couple, who shared a child, split up after years together. The two never married, but they do share a young daughter together. Maybe the couple was having their own problems elsewhere, though… and used the text messages as a pretext?
No other news of a Roberts and Christensen relationship was ever confirmed, and it doesn’t seem that there were other rumors related to that. With that said, everything related to Roberts being a “homewrecker” is simply speculation; the Bilson/Christensen relationship probably lived its life until expiration!
How Old Is Julia Roberts?
This movie star was born on October 28th, 1967. As of the time, this is being written, she is 53 years old. She’s been in the acting world since 1987, with her big-screen debut being in the film Satisfaction in 1988. She certainly doesn’t look like she has aged a day, though!
Roberts didn’t wait for a second to get started in her acting career, moving to New York City in pursuit of a career in show business. She signed with a modeling agency upon arrival but didn’t have much luck landing jobs. Fortunately, her big brother Eric was already well into the acting scene and recommended her for a bit role as his on-screen sister in Blood Red.
Julia Roberts Paved the Way for Her Niece, Emma
You could argue that Emma’s father, Eric Roberts, was who really got her into Hollywood. Sometimes, women like to see other women in places of power to inspire their path to success; following in her aunt’s footsteps was probably what she was most inspired to do!
Julia Roberts appeared in a series of smaller television roles and guest appearances across the board before appearing in her first leading role in Mystic Pizza. She was launched into stardom and success after being cast in Steel Magnolias the next year, even earning herself an Academy Award nomination for her part. It wouldn’t be a shock to see her as a role model for a niece dreaming of stardom!
How Old Is Emma Roberts?
At this moment, Emma Roberts is 30 years old. We still remember her as the little teenaged star of Unfabulous! She was born on February 10, 1991, and has lived a pretty full life in her short time on Earth. Not only is she no longer a little girl, but she’s now a mom of her own little one!
You can plan your life out as much as you want to, but things don’t always go as planned! Speaking to Cosmopolitan, the star reflected, “At 16, I thought, ‘By the time I’m 24, I’ll be married with kids,’ and then I was 24, and I was like, ‘Remember when I said I would be married with kids by now?'” That’s just how the cookie crumbles, Miss Roberts!
Emma’s Non-Traditional Upbringing
From the time that she was young, Emma Roberts spent a lot of time on movie sets. She knew that it was her calling, but according to her conversation with Allure, she received warnings from her mother, Kelly Cunningham, who had “warned [her] about the consequences of choosing an acting career too young, asking [her] to delay [her] ambitions.”
Roberts also found herself at the center of her parents’ tumultuous relationship. Her mother saw herself as “the live-in girlfriend” of Eric, Emma’s dad, and felt that she had seen the terrible things that can happen if you get too deep in the industry too quickly. She was just trying to protect her.
Eric Was Arrested in 1987
Many fans know actor Eric Roberts as a troubled star, but most can’t quite pinpoint where many of his problems began. In 1987, the actor found himself at the center of one of the biggest scandals of his career. He was arrested for possession of cocaine and marijuana and didn’t do himself any favors along the way.
His arrest was dramatic, to say the least. He resisted, which is a crime in itself, depending on what state you’re in. It can even be a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the intensity of their actions. Roberts even threw punches, though none of it worked out in his favor.
Eric’s Arrest Was Made Worse… by His Own Doing
Roberts reportedly resisted arrest and threw punches at the New York City police officer. He tried to assault him but didn’t get far. In addition to arresting the actor, they had to ask him to stop banging on a random woman’s door. It seemed like it was more than just drugs. Was Eric Roberts harassing someone?
The star spent 36 hours in a prison cell for what he did. He ended up pleading guilty to harassment, but having all other charges dropped. We wish that was the end of it all, but unfortunately, that barely even scratches the surface. Some people spend their entire lives in the spotlight for bad things, and it appears that he’s one of them.
Emma Was Accused of Domestic Abuse
Emma Roberts and Evan Peters were an item at one point in time. Though she’s now a mom in a relationship with someone else, these two made headlines in the past for some really nasty reasons. Back in 2013, Roberts was arrested for an alleged domestic dispute with Peters.
The two had an alleged domestic dispute in a hotel room in Montreal, Canada. They got into such a bad fight, reportedly started by Roberts that other guests at their hotel needed to report back to authorities. Things are not always as they seem – this fight was not something to take lightly!
Her Dad Came to Her Defense
Back at the height of accusations against the star, her father felt it was necessary to step in and defend his daughter’s actions against her boyfriend. She reportedly gave Peters a bloody nose along with bite marks. That seems like something a little more tricky to defend, don’t you think?
Eric Roberts stood up to defend Emma, stating that “unless you’re one of those people [involved], you do not know what happened.” Peters refused to press charges on his lady, even after she’d attacked him, and they appeared to be just as in love as ever days later. Of course, be wary…
Julia Helped Bankroll Eric’s Ex’s Custody Battle
This famous sibling duo famously has a terrible relationship; some would even say they were estranged… at least at one point. Now, they, fortunately, seem to have their relationship back on track. As a family, they’ve worked through some really tough times, including his custody battle for Emma.
Maybe that was a little misleading… Julia worked through her brother’s custody battle, but for his ex! This was seen as one of the biggest moves she could have made against her brother, and if it didn’t seem like she was already making a statement, helping fund his ex’s custody battle certainly did.
The Move That Shocked Celebrities and Fans Everywhere
After his separation from Emma’s mother, Kelly Cunningham, the former couple went to court in order to fight it out over custody of their young daughter. There was certainly some bad blood between the Roberts siblings, and as a giant “screw you!” to her big brother, Julia did something completely shocking.
She was clearly not a big fan of Eric or at least she questioned his parenting style. She decided to fund Cunningham’s legal battle, shocking celebrities and fans everywhere. Even if their relationship was known to be rocky, everyone was shocked to see Julia turn on the sibling who got her started in entertainment.
At One Point, Julia Was the “Other Woman”
Remember when Emma Roberts was thought to be “the other woman” that ended Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen’s relationship? Well, she certainly was not the first one in her family to do it. Her aunt Julia was in exactly that position when she first started seeing her husband, Danny Moder.
Roberts is seen as the “cause of death” for Modor’s marriage to his first wife, Vera Steimberg. Steimberg is a makeup artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who has worked on numerous Hollywood productions. Roberts is still haunted by causing their breakup to this day!
A Low Vera
The majority of public outrage came for Julia after she appeared to wear a shirt that said, “A Low Vera,” which is pretty self-explanatory. It’s clearly a low blow to her man’s ex-wife, and you can definitely see how some folks had a problem with it!
Being involved in this scandal not only nearly ruined her career, but it almost ruined her life completely. It was seen as a major blemish on her record, creating pressure around her that both her career and personal life almost couldn’t bear. She’s rebuilt her image and is still seen as one of the best actresses today.
Eric Kept Getting Into Trouble
Eric remarried to Eliza Roberts, in 1992. Things were going smoothly (or so it seemed…) until 1995 when Eric found himself being arrested yet again. Needless to say, it seems like the honeymoon phase was over by this point…
This time, his arrest wasn’t related to drug possession, but that’s not to say substances weren’t involved. This arrest was the result of a domestic dispute, most likely while he was intoxicated, and unfortunately, his wife Eliza was harmed in the process. In this instance, he used violent force against her.
What Eric Did to Eliza
Eric Roberts was arrested after he reportedly pushed his wife Eliza into a wall. She was said to have hit her head during their encounter, which is never a good thing. As a result, the star had to post $50,000 bail to be released from jail; otherwise, he would have slept behind bars for the night.
His attack on Eliza caused him to rethink everything, or at least that’s what he wanted the public to think. His fight with her led him to publicly announce that he’d be going sober and giving up drugs for good. They’ve seemingly worked out many of their problems, as they remain married to this day.
Julia Changed Her Children’s Names
Hollywood has plenty of stars who’ve named their kids strange or “unique” names. Apple, North, Raddix – you think of it, they’ve probably named their kid after it. Come on, X Æ A-12 sure makes you unique, but at what cost? Nonetheless, Roberts did something pretty unconventional… years after her kids were already named.
Roberts opened up publicly about following the Hindu faith back in 2010, but just a year before, she renamed her three children after Hindu Gods. Her children had a whole renaming ceremony, with Swami Dharam Dev of Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi leading it. Wow, that’s quite a celebrity stunt!
She Filmed Scenes in the Same Place She Held Their Ceremony
Roberts did not take this lightly by any means, going all-in on her children’s names. Hazel was renamed Laxmi, Phinnaeus was given the name Ganesh, and Henry was called Krishna Balram. For kids growing up in Hollywood, they probably didn’t even have the most intense names in their class!
This renaming ceremony took place while Roberts was filming Eat Pray Love, and she even filmed some of the scenes at the very ashram where this ceremony occurred. Swami Dharam Dev reflected on his time working with the cast and crew, saying that they “have not disturbed the sanctity of the ashram even as they complete everything as per schedule.”
Eric Takes Full Credit
That’s right; Eric Roberts did not miss a beat when attempting to take credit for his little sister’s fame. The same went for taking credit for his daughter’s success, too. He spoke about the two actresses as if they would still be “nothing” if it weren’t for him.
When talking about his sister and daughter’s success, he got a little too confident for our tastes. “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no Emma Roberts as celebrities, as actresses, and I’m very proud of that. When Julia first came to New York, I went into William Morris, and I said, ‘Which one of you is going to sign my sister Julia?'”
Let Them Claim Their Own Successes, Eric!
Eric Roberts has an impressive 600 acting credits to his name, including blockbusters, independent films, animated films, television and animated series, short films, and student films. He’s one of the few since the 1970s to have more than that. That’s not enough to lead us to believe that he deserves all of the credit for their successes!
Maybe it’s his ego, but this guy kept showing off how he felt about being the first in his family to strike it big. “I am so proud that everybody knows I was first because I was first by a long shot. I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, so I’m proud of that,” he stated.
Emma Credits Aunt Julia, Instead of Dad
Emma’s father, Eric, claimed to be her guiding light, the whole reason why she became such a success over the years. However, Emma actively credits her aunt Julia as the reason why she broke into entertainment and acting in the first place.
The youngest of the Roberts clan opened up about how she was inspired by her aunt Julia who introduced her to the acting world. She would sit on the set of Erin Brockovich just before she would run into her aunt’s makeup trailer – maybe she was just getting a feel for having her own trailer someday!
Movie Sets Felt Like Going to Camp for Emma
Emma compared her experiences following Aunt Julia around her movie sets as similar to going to summer camp. She had fond memories of accompanying her aunt to her movie sets, which would lead her to audition for anything and everything she could. She landed her first role at 10 years old.
Her first role was in the 2001 film Blow, when she was 10. She proceeded to become a household name after starring in Unfabulous, a program coveted by kids growing up in the 2000s. She also went on to appear in American Horror Story and Scream Queens, as well as starring in We’re the Miller’s and The Bling Ring, amongst other projects.
This Aunt and Niece Duo Starred in the Same Film, but Didn’t Appear in Any Scenes Together
Both Julia and Emma Roberts signed on to star in Valentine’s Day back in 2010. Many fans, and probably themselves included, were excited to see the stars together. This would be the first time, though it wouldn’t deliver in the way fans hoped for.
Fans were excited to see these family members appearing together in the same movie, but they were ultimately disappointed to see that the family members didn’t appear in the same frame even once in the movie. They wanted to see the two acting alongside their loved ones but were met with a bummer instead.
The Movie Got Horrible Reviews
Fans were disappointed to see that not only did Julia and Emma not appear in a single scene together, but their characters didn’t even have a storyline that crossed paths. This film was probably not the best place for that to happen, especially based on critics’ opinions on it after release.
Valentine’s Day was promoted as the next big film after Love Actually, but the reviews were far from stellar. Not only did critics hate the movie, but so did viewers. Both Roberts girls gave good performances, as per usual, but there were so many other big names in the film, it’s easy for their skills to be overlooked.
Emma Released an Album That Made Billboard Charts
She may be known for her roles in films, but she got her start in the spotlight on Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous, about Addie Singer, a junior high school student learning to deal with the ups and downs of teenage life. Addie, Emma’s character, loved to play guitar.
In fact, her character spends most of her days writing songs about her experiences in middle school. If you didn’t know that she had musical ability before starring in this show, now you know that Emma Roberts was also blessed with musical talent. Share some with the rest of us, Emma!
Her Album Was Successful
Emma Roberts released “Unfabulous and More,” a compilation of songs performed on the show, along with… well, more! The album is mostly comprised of cheesy pop songs, but it didn’t do too bad on the rating board. She managed to reach number 46 on the U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers chart!
This album primarily served as the soundtrack to the Nickelodeon sitcom, and it was received extremely well by fans. It even got a few good reviews from critics as well! It was the network’s effort to capitalize on their child stars, though it didn’t reach the same level of success as many famed Disney stars.
Eric’s Stint on Celebrity Rehab
In 2011, after many other instances in which he was portrayed negatively for his substance abuse problems, Eric Roberts finally opened up to the world about his struggles with addiction. Acknowledging there’s a problem is a huge step, so if nothing else, at least he did that.
That same year, he took his personal struggles with addiction to the next level, appearing in the fourth season of VH1’s reality television show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. He admitted his dependency on medical marijuana along with other substances, and it acted as a platform for him to discuss the root of his problems with his family on screen.
Celebrity Rehab: Eric Roberts Edition
When Eric Roberts appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew he opened up about his dependency issues and substance abuse over the years. He admitted that it caused him several problems throughout his life, and fortunately, he was able to get the help that he felt he desperately needed.
On the show, both his wife Eliza and his stepson, Keaton Simons, appeared. They discussed how his struggles with addiction impacted their life at home and how everything could be improved. By appearing on the show, he took the first step toward moving away from addiction.
Roberts Wasn’t Alone on Celebrity Rehab
Naturally, Eric Roberts wasn’t the only celebrity to appear on this show. The show was called “Celebrity Rehab,” after all! Roberts appeared alongside other stars like Janice Dickinson, Jason Davis, and Leif Garrett. Each person had to sort out their own addictions during their time on the show.
Hollywood is a kingdom of temptation and clearly incredibly dangerous to people who have addictive qualities and personalities. These stars took a brave step toward getting clean, even if that meant they were doing it on television in front of the rest of the world!
Eric and Julia Had a Sibling Who Killed Herself
Suicide is a sensitive topic across the board – making a choice to end your life is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and many people, both average Joes and big celebrities, have struggled with those terrifying thoughts. Unfortunately, one of those people was Julia and Eric’s sister, Nancy Motes.
She left behind a note, discussing how horrible her half-sister Julia frequently made her feel. Ouch, that must have been a sting unlike any other. Imagine being name-checked in someone’s suicide note? How does one move on from that trauma? How does one repair emotionally?
About Nancy Motes, Eric and Julia’s Sister
Nancy Motes was Julia and Eric’s half-sister. She was a dog mom and a production assistant on the hit television show Glee. Not only was she a production assistant on Glee, but she also was a dog trainer. While not much else public information is available about her, she’s left a series of scathing remarks against her siblings.
The note she left behind was beyond harsh; it included numerous remarks against her family members. “My mother and so-called ‘siblings’ get nothing except the memory that they are the ones that drove me into the deepest depression I’ve ever been in.” Wow – that sounds like a lot.
The Tweets She Sent Before Her Death
The year before Motes committed suicide, she and her sister Julia reportedly had a falling out. Motes went on national television to accuse Roberts of blocking her from accessing their sick mother. The days before the act was completed, she sent a series of tweets dragging her sister.
“So, my ‘sister’ said that with all her friends & fans she doesn’t need any more love. Just so you all know ‘America’s Sweetheart’ is a B—-!!'” she tweeted on January 20th from her handle, @Dabbs76, citing Roberts’ star turn in the 2001 rom-com “America’s Sweethearts.” She added, “Do you want to be a fan of someone so cruel? She’s not even that good of an actress. Happy you totally f—ed with me?”
The Note She Left Behind
Motes died by drowning herself in the bathtub, surrounded by a lethal mix of both prescription and nonprescription pills. That’s barely scratching the surface in this case; she also left behind a scathing five-page suicide note, citing the depression she believed her family drove her to.
“I have suffered thru this disease all my life; however, It has never been this bad. I burst into tears every morning b/c [because] I woke up.” Fortunately, the note wasn’t all bad – she did use some of the space to let her fiancé know how much she loved him. Even while claiming she is a junkie and wouldn’t be missed, she still expressed how much she’d miss him.
They Have Tons of Credits Between Them All
This famous as heck family is leading the pack with acting credits, with more than 600 between them. As of 2021, Eric had more than 600 credits, with Julia and Emma barely breaking 100 each (if they even got close to that number, to begin with)! Eric didn’t seem to realize that it’s all about quality, not quantity…
Emma and her aunt were picky when it came to projects they’d be involved with – and why wouldn’t they? If they would appear in a movie, they wanted it to be something that they would be proud of. Unlike Eric, it seems these two ladies take their time as opposed to rushing into mediocre projects.
Quality Over Quantity
Both Emma and her aunt Julia took steps toward only embracing the best projects possible. They were all about quality over quantity – especially if they were going to be showing their face on a screen, with their name attached to a project.
Emma has appeared in numerous projects like Little Italy, We’re the Millers, and recently Holidate. Julia, while known for her role in Pretty Woman, will soon appear in Ticket to Paradise and Little Bee. In the last couple of , Eric appeared as a guest star on Brooklyn 99 and continues to work on other projects.
Eric Now Appreciates His Sister’s Relationship With His Daughter
Eric Roberts told Us Weekly that he loved seeing his sister and his daughter becoming so close. “They look so much alike that I love the pictures of them when they’re side-by-side; they’re both such Robertses. You know?” He told the publication that he just couldn’t get enough of their relationship.
“It’s really cool to look at them,” Eric stated. “I love seeing them together.” Following the coronavirus pandemic, he hadn’t spoken to his sister “in weeks,” though his wife, Eliza, speaks to his sister daily. “They talk, and I know what’s going on through her.”
Emma Fell in Love With Food in New Orleans
In an interview with Shape, Roberts spoke about how much she fell in love with the food at her American Horror Story: Coven filming location – New Orleans, Louisiana. “I really fell in love with the food there. I’d have fried chicken sliders at night and then go to my yoga class the next morning.”
It wasn’t just the city of New Orleans that gave the star a healthy appetite; she’s always been a big fan of sweets and indulges in her guilty pleasures whenever she can. “I also love cupcakes, ice cream, and Sidecar Doughnuts,” referring to a local southern California sweet treat.
Snacks Catered by Emma
Unlike many other stars in Hollywood who feel they need to stay on a diet for their image, Emma Roberts is all about indulging when she can. She even treats her colleagues when she gets the chance, stating, “sometimes I bring sweets for everyone at work as an excuse to eat them.”
She’s also a big fan of classic breakfast foods, “eggs, bacon, and toast included.” She treats herself in the best way possible:, by sitting at the counter and eating her breakfast hot off the press. She told CN Traveler that when she’d take a stay-cation at the Beverly Hills Hotel, “I often have breakfast at the counter. I’m obsessed with their pancakes and chocolate-chip waffles.”