Emma Roberts
Get to know Hollywood’s girl next door.
by Kayla Mossien
TWEENS & TEENS News September
2007
At age 16 with a hit television series,
a string of movies and recorded music albums
under her belt, actress Emma Roberts is on
the brink of major stardom. As the daughter
of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts and
niece of box office star Julia Roberts, Emma
certainly has inherited the family’s
genetics— and has a burgeoning career
in show business to prove it. We at TWEENS
& TEENS News asked Emma to let us in on
her busy life of photo shoots, movie premieres
and sweet 16s.
When asked to share something that most people
wouldn’t know about herself, Emma revealed
she’s a “homebody” whose
favorite past times include reading, watching
films and goofing off with her best pals.
With such a down-to-earth attitude, it’s
no wonder why Emma is doing so well—
and she’ll undoubtedly continue to turn
heads in the entertainment industry.
According to the rising star, Emma started
her career completely on her own with absolutely
no pressure from her family of actors. She
simply pursued her dream and followed her
passion for acting. With her mother’s
permission, Emma found a manager. Soon after,
she auditioned for the movie Blow. Emma immediately
booked the job and has been acting ever since.
“I was so young, I didn’t understand
that I was working with one of the best actors
ever until later,” Emma says, referring
to her role as actor Johnny Depp’s daughter
in the 2001 hit movie.
Since Blow, Emma has starred in films like
Spymate, Big Love and Aquamarine, with her
idol and now friend singer/performer JOJO.
“I was a fan of hers before [the movie],
and it was really exciting to work with her,”
Emma says. “We’ve stayed good
friends.” Emma has also found a home
at the tween-friendly network Nickelodeon
with a prominent role on its hit television
series Unfabulous.
Emma Roberts has also dabbled in the music
industry, recording her first album Unfabulous
and More at age 14. Songs include “Punch
Rocker,” “New Shoes,” “Mexican
Wrestler” and “I Wanna be.”
Fans can also hear Emma’s musical talent
on the soundtrack Aquamarine: Music from the
Motion Picture, with Emma’s personal
rendition of Weezer’s 2001 hit single
“Island in the Sun.”
In the Warner-Brothers feature film Nancy
Drew: The Mystery in Hollywood Hills, Emma
landed her first lead role. In the movie,
Emma brings Nancy Drew, the witty teen with
a knack for solving crime, back to life on
the silver screen. Based on characters created
by Carolyn Keene, director Andrew Fleming’s
Nancy Drew is a light comedy. Character Nancy
Drew’s father, Carson Drew (Tate Donovan),
takes a business trip to Los Angeles and is
forced to go to Hollywood. The father-daughter
duo winds up renting a house where a beautiful
movie star may have been murdered. Before
Nancy knows it, she’s trying to solve
the case while attending Hollywood High and
meeting new friends! Nancy is put to the test
in the fast-paced, self-indulgent world of
Hollywood. This PG-rated film also features
Max Thieriot, Josh Flitter and Rachael Leigh
Cook.
Emma Roberts admits to feeling a twinge of
nervousness at the start of filming a leading
character; she recognized the challenge of
taking on a character who multiple generations
have come to love. But Emma’s poise
prevailed, ultimately making the challenge
a cinch to tackle.
Regarding her work with Hollywood heavy-hitters
like Bruce Willis, who has a cameo in the
movie, Emma explains that she concentrates
on becoming her character and she loves the
opportunity to learn from the best. “When
I do a film, I go to work,” says Emma.
Despite such an intense career at age 16,
Emma considers herself a normal teen. And
though she doesn’t attend a traditional
high school, Emma attends local dances and
sporting events with friends from her former
school. Emma also says that where she lives,
many of her peers come from families in entertainment,
meaning her position in the limelight “isn’t
such a big deal to them.”
Like many of her friends, Emma had a sweet
16 this year. The star hosted the party at
club Social in Hollywood. The party had a
theme of black, silver and pink, with lots
of skulls and crossbones. The party was planned
by Alyse Sobel, and Emma said she had a blast
with her about 100 guests— all friends
and family members.
Rocking a campaign for the designer line Dooney
and Burke, grazing the covers of teen magazines,
recording CDs and acting in television shows
and movies, Emma has a lot to be thankful
for— which she is! Before ending the
interview, Emma gave a big thanks to all the
viewers of Unfabulous and her recent movie
Nancy Drew: The Mystery in Hollywood Hills.
“It was one of the best shoots I’ve
ever been on,” Emma gushes.
As for the future, the sky is the limit for
Emma. College is in her plans and New York
University is on her short list. Wherever
the rising celebrity ends up at college, expect
to see some great things from Emma Roberts.
Kayla Mossien is an assistant editor.
