Emma Roberts

Emma Rose Roberts (born February 10, 1991)[1] is an American actress. After making her film debut as Kristina Jung in the crime film Blow (2001), Roberts gained recognition for her lead role as Addie Singer on the Nickelodeon television series Unfabulous (2004–2007). She released her debut studio album Unfabulous and More in 2005. Roberts then appeared in numerous films, including Nancy Drew (2007), Wild Child (2008), Hotel for Dogs (2009), Valentine's Day (2010), It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010), and The Art of Getting By (2011).
Looking for more mature roles, Roberts obtained starring roles in the films Lymelife (2009), 4.3.2.1. (2010), Scream 4 (2011), Adult World (2013), We're the Millers (2013), Palo Alto (2013), The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015), and Nerve (2016). She starred in the lead role of Chanel Oberlin on the Fox horror-comedy series Scream Queens (2015–2016), and appeared in four seasons of the FX horror anthology series American Horror Story.
== Early life ==
Roberts was born in Rhinebeck, New York,[2] to Kelly Cunningham and actor Eric Roberts.[3] Her parents separated when she was a baby. Through her father's marriage, she is the stepdaughter of Eliza Roberts and step-granddaughter of David Rayfiel and Lila Garrett. Through her mother's marriage, she is the stepdaughter of musician Kelly Nickels. She has a maternal half-sister, Grace.[4] Her paternal grandmother was acting coach Betty Lou Bredemus (1934–2015), and her aunts are actresses Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan. During her childhood, Roberts spent time on the sets of her aunt Julia's films. These experiences sparked a desire to follow her father and aunts into the film industry.[4] Her mother initially wanted her to have a normal childhood.[5]
== Acting career ==
=== 2001–2007: Breakthrough with Unfabulous ===
Roberts made her acting debut at age nine in Ted Demme's 2001 drama film Blow. It was the first film for which she ever auditioned.[5] In the film, she portrayed Kristina Jung, the daughter of Johnny Depp's character (cocaine smuggler George Jung). That year, she also had a role in Leif Tilden's 10-minute shortbigLove, and was an uncredited extra in some scenes featuring her aunt Julia Roberts in America's Sweethearts.[6] Roberts went on to appear in smaller roles in two family films: in 2002's Grand Champion, as the sister of the main character Buddy (Jacob Fisher); and in 2006's Spymate, as the kidnapped daughter of former secret agent Mike Muggins (Chris Potter), who tries to rescue her with the help of a spy monkey. Grand Champion had a brief theatrical release in August 2004,[7] while Spymate was not released until February 2006, when it was given a theatrical run in Canada,[8] followed by its DVD release in April 2006.
In 2004, she began starring as the lead character Addie Singer in the Nickelodeon series Unfabulous,[9] which debuted in September of that year. The sitcom earned Roberts a Teen Choice Award nomination and several Young Artist Award nominations.[10] The series focused on a seventh grader, Addie, and her two best friends. It aired for three seasons (2004–07). The show also spawned TV movies, including The Perfect Moment. Also in 2004, Roberts guest-starred in an episode of the Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh titled "Honor Council". After her run on Unfabulous, Nickelodeon had considered giving Roberts a kick start into a music career.[11] In 2006, Roberts returned to the big screen, starring alongside Sara Paxton and singer JoJo in Aquamarine. She won a 2007 Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actress in a Feature Film for her role in the film.[12] The film Aquamarine took fifth place at the box office in its opening weekend making $8 million.[13] In early 2006, Roberts finished shooting her title role in Nancy Drew. The film was released to theaters on June 15, 2007, and grossed over $7 million in its opening weekend,[14] though the film was not well received by critics.[15] Roberts was set to reunite with Nancy Drew director Andrew Fleming on both Rodeo Gal[16]and a Nancy Drew sequel in 2007, but these films were never made.[17][18]
=== 2008–2012: Film work ===
In 2008, she had her voiceover debut when she voiced the English version of the character Wilma in the CGI-animated family film The Flight Before Christmas.[19] In 2009, Roberts starred alongside Jake T. Austin in Hotel for Dogs,[20] based on the novel by Lois Duncan. The film premiered in January 2009, and took fifth place in its opening weekend with over $17 million. The film has to-date grossed over $114 million, and received generally mixed reviews from critics.[21] Roberts starred as the lead in the film Wild Child,[22] about a rebellious teen from Malibu, California sent to a boarding school in England. Roberts described her character as "pretty much your typical spoiled-brat Malibu socialite who gets shipped off to a British boarding school."[23] Roberts also appeared in the independent film Lymelife with Alec Baldwin, which was premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.
In 2010, Roberts co-starred as Grace in the film Valentine's Day in which her aunt, Julia Roberts also appeared, although they were never together on-screen. She also appeared that year in Twelve and It's Kind of a Funny Story.[24] The following year, she co-starred in the film adaptation of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. She also starred alongside Freddie Highmore in the romantic comedy The Art of Getting By.[25][26] In 2011, she played the role of Jill Roberts in the Wes Craven film Scream 4.[27][28]
In 2013, Roberts co-starred with John Cusack and Evan Peters in Adult World. Roberts played a recent college graduate who works at an adult bookstore to make ends meet. She has said that most of her lines were ad-libbed so her reactions in the film were completely genuine.[29] Her performance was praised by both Andrew O'Hehir of Salon and Stephanie Zacharek of The Village Voice, who praised Roberts' performance as "both breezy and carefully tuned".[30]Roberts appears in a supporting role in Dustin Lance Black's Virginia, which received a limited theatrical release in May 2012 after a two and a half year delay. She next appeared in the 2012 film Celeste and Jesse Forever, parodying pop stars such as Kesha with her performance as Riley Banks, an incurious blonde singer. Roberts said in an interview that her role as Banks tempted her to write an album of songs using her character as an alter ego.[31]
=== 2013–present: American Horror Story and Scream Queens ===
On February 7, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Roberts had been cast to star in a pilot for Fox called Delirium, based on the Lauren Oliver novels. She portrayed Lena Haloway, the protagonist, but Fox decided not to pick up the show.[32][33] Roberts then starred in the comedy film We're the Millers, alongside Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis. It was released on August 7, 2013. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a financial success, grossing over $269 million against a budget of $37 million.[34] She next appeared in season three of the FX horror anthology series American Horror Story, called American Horror Story: Coven, from late 2013 through January 2014. Roberts portrayed a self-involved party girl named Madison Montgomery, who also happens to be a telekinetic witch.[35] She then portrayed Maggie Esmerelda, a con artist posing as a fortune teller, in American Horror Story: Freak Show.
Roberts played the lead role in Gia Coppola's directorial debut, Palo Alto, based on James Franco's short story collection of the same name. The film was released in May 2014 to generally positive reviews, with particular praise for Roberts' performance. Tom Shone of The Guardian and Ian Freer of Empire both called her the "standout" of the film,[36] with Freer praising her performance for being "heartbreaking as she suggests longings and anxieties without over-hyping it. Much like the film itself."[37] Roberts then starred alongside Palo Alto co-star Nat Wolff in Ashby, portraying the supporting role of Eloise. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19, 2015,[38] and was released on September 25, in a limited release and through video on demand.[39][40]
Roberts next appeared in the horror film The Blackcoat's Daughter (also known by its original title February) alongside Kiernan Shipka. Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.[41] Roberts plays the lead character Chanel Oberlin on the first season of Fox's horror comedy series Scream Queens, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lea Michele. The series was created by American Horror Story producers Ryan Murphyand Brad Falchuk, with Glee producer Ian Brennan.[42] She reprised this role in the second season of Scream Queens the following year.[43] It was later canceled after two seasons.[44][45] In 2016, Roberts starred alongside Dave Franco in Lionsgate's adaptation of the young-adult novel Nerve.[46]
In June 2016, the Human Rights Campaign released a video in tribute to the victims of the 2016 Orlando gay nightclub shooting; in the video, Roberts and others told the stories of the people killed there.[47][48]
On August 1, 2017, Ryan Murphy announced Roberts' return to American Horror Story, in its seventh season, Cult, via his personal Instagram account, where she portrayed newscast reporter Serena Belinda. During the month of June 2018, Roberts confirmed that she would appear in the eighth season of the series, where she would portray, for a second time, Madison Montgomery.[49]
== Music career ==
In 2005, Roberts released a debut album titled Unfabulous and More. The album was released on September 27, 2005, through Columbia Records and Nick Records. It also served as the soundtrack to the television series Unfabulous, in which Roberts starred. The album peaked at number 46 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.[50] In September 2005, two promotional singles were released from the album: "I Wanna Be" and "Dummy". The album includes several original songs (among them "Dummy" and "I Wanna Be", both of which were also released as music videos, "I Have Arrived" and "This Is Me", which was co-written by Roberts), as well as some of Addie's songs from the first season, including "Punch Rocker" and "New Shoes" (both from the episode "The Party"), "94 Weeks (Metal Mouth Freak)" (from "The Bar Mitzvah") and "Mexican Wrestler" (which had previously appeared on Jill Sobule's 2000 album Pink Pearl and in the episode "The 66th Day" from Unfabulous). During the same year, Roberts recorded "If I Had It My Way" for the soundtrack of the 2005 Disney film Ice Princess. In 2006, Roberts covered the song "Island in the Sun", which was originally recorded by Weezer in 2001; she recorded the song for the Aquamarine soundtrack, a film in which she starred as one of the leads.
Roberts said in a 2007 interview: "Right now I am focusing on movies. I am getting ready to start a new movie this summer so that is taking a lot of my time. I think when I am a little bit older it is definitely something I'd like to pursue."[51] In another interview, she said: "My musical career is indefinitely on hold. I don't like people who become like 'actor slash singer.' I think people should be one or the other because usually you're not going to be great at both. You're going to be better at one, so you might as well stick to the one you're good at. I'm going for acting."[52]
== Personal life ==
In September 2011, Roberts began attending Sarah Lawrence College but by January 2012, she had put her studies on hold to concentrate on work commitments.[53]
Roberts began dating actor Evan Peters in 2012 after they worked together on the film Adult World.[54] In July 2013, while they were staying at a hotel in Montreal, Quebec, someone overheard a dispute coming from their room and called the police. After a "heated argument", they had begun hitting each other.[55] When the police arrived, they arrested Roberts. Peters was not arrested because Roberts did not have any immediately visible injuries.[56] Peters declined to press charges and Roberts was released several hours later.[57] In a joint statement, the couple called it "an unfortunate incident and misunderstanding," and stated that they "are working together to move past it."[57] Peters confirmed in March 2014 that he and Roberts were engaged.[58]
In February 2009, Roberts was named the brand ambassador for Neutrogena, appearing in print and television ads for the company.[59]
She has also appeared multiple times as part of Teen Vogue's Best Dressed list, including in June 2007, September 2008, December 2008 and February 2009.[60]
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes 	2001	Blow	Kristina Sunshine Jung	
bigLove 	Delilah 	Short film 	 	2001	 	 	
America's Sweethearts	Girl in Purple T-shirt 	Uncredited[61] 	 	2001	 	 	
2002 	Grand Champion 	Sister 	 	 	 	 	
2006 	Spymate 	Amelia Muggins 	 	 	 	 	
2006 	Aquamarine 	Claire Brown 	 	 	 	 	
2007 	Nancy Drew 	Nancy Drew 	 	 	 	 	
2008 	The Flight Before Christmas 	Wilma 	Voice role 	 	 	 	
2008 	Wild Child 	Poppy Moore 	 	 	 	 	
2008 	Lymelife 	Adrianna Bragg 	 	 	 	 	
2009 	Hotel for Dogs 	Andi 	 	 	 	 	
2009 	The Winning Season 	Abbie 	 	 	 	 	
2010 	Valentine's Day 	Grace Smart[62] 	 	 	 	 	
2010 	Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac	Alice Leeds 	 	 	 	 	
2010 	Twelve 	Molly Norton 	 	 	 	 	
2010 	4.3.2.1. 	Joanne 	 	 	 	 	
2010 	It's Kind of a Funny Story 	Noelle 	 	 	 	 	
2010 	Virginia 	Jessie Tipton 	 	 	 	 	
2011 	Scream 4 	Jill Roberts 	 	 	 	 	
2011 	The Art of Getting By 	Sally Howe 	 	 	 	 	
2012 	Celeste and Jesse Forever 	Riley Banks 	 	 	 	 	
2013 	Empire State 	Nancy Michaelides 	 	 	 	 	
2013 	We're the Millers 	Casey Mathis / Casey Miller	 	 	 	 	
2014 	Adult World 	Amy Anderson 	 	 	 	 	
2014 	Palo Alto 	April 	 	 	 	 	
2015 	I Am Michael 	Rebekah Fuller 	 	 	 	 	
2015 	Ashby 	Eloise 	 	 	 	 	
2015 	The Blackcoat's Daughter 	Joan Marsh 	 	 	 	 	
2016 	Nerve 	Venus "Vee" Delmonico 	 	 	 	 	
2017 	Who We Are Now 	Jess 	 	 	 	 	
2018 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2018 	In a Relationship 	Hallie 	 	 	 	 	
2018 	Billionaire Boys Club 	Sydney 	 	 	 	 	
2018 	Little Italy 	Nikki Angioli 	 	 	 	 	
2019 	Uglydolls[63] 	Wedgehead 	Filming, voice role	 	 	 	
=== Television ===
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes
2004–07	Unfabulous 	Addie Singer 	Lead role (41 episodes)
2004 	Drake & Josh 	Addie Singer 	Episode: "Honor Council"
2006/12	Punk'd 	Herself 	2 episodes
2007 	The Hills 	Herself 	Episode: "Young Hollywood"
2010 	Jonas 	Herself 	Episode: "House Party"
2010 	Take Two with Phineas and Ferb 	Herself 	Episode: "Emma Roberts"
2011 	Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 	Herself 	Episode: "The Brown Family"
2013 	Family Guy 	Amanda Barrington 	Voice role; episode: "No Country Club for Old Men"
2013–14	American Horror Story: Coven 	Madison Montgomery	Main role (13 episodes)
2014 	Delirium 	Lena Haloway 	Unsold Fox pilot
2014–15	American Horror Story: Freak Show	Maggie Esmerelda 	Main role (10 episodes)
2015–16	Scream Queens 	Chanel Oberlin 	Main role (23 episodes)
2017 	American Horror Story: Cult 	Serena Belinda 	Episode: "11/9"
2018 	American Horror Story: Apocalypse	Madison Montgomery	Main role
2019 	Spinning Out 	Kat Baker 	Main role
== Discography ==
=== Soundtrack albums ===
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title 	Album details 	Peak 	
Title 	Album details 	US
Heat.
[64] 	
Unfabulous and More 	
* Released: September 27, 2005[65]
* Formats: CD, digital download
* Label: Nick Records, Columbia, Sony	46 	
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.
=== Singles ===
List of singles
Title 	Year	Album
"I Wanna Be"[66] 	2005	Unfabulous and More
"Dummy"[67] 	2005	Unfabulous and More
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"[68]	2005	N/A
=== Other appearances ===
Title 	Year	Album
"If I Had It My Way"	2005	Ice Princess
"Island in the Sun" 	2006	Aquamarine
"Do It on My Face" 	2012	Celeste and Jesse Forever
=== Music videos ===
List of music videos, showing director
Title 	Year	Director 	Artist 	Notes
"I Wanna Be" 	2005	 	Herself 	
"Dummy" 	2005	 	Herself 	
"Go Outside" 	2011	Isaiah Seret[69]	Cults 	Guest appearance
"Testosterone" 	2012	Petro[70] 	Haziq and the Giggles	Guest appearance
"Nice for What"	2018	Karena Evans[71]	Drake 	Guest appearance
== Awards and nominations ==
Year	Association 	Category 	Work 	Result
2005	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2005	Young Artist Awards 	Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2005	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice TV Breakout Performance – Female 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2005	Kids' Choice Awards, Australia	Favorite Rising Star 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2005	Radio Disney Music Awards 	Best Actress Turned Singer 	Herself 	Nominated
2005	Radio Disney Music Awards 	Best TV Show Song 	"Dummy" from Unfabulous	Nominated
2006	Young Artist Awards 	Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2007	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress 	Aquamarine 	Won
2007	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2007	Kids' Choice Awards 	Favorite TV Actress 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2007	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice TV Actress: Comedy 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2007	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Movie: Female Breakout 	Nancy Drew 	Nominated
2007	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Movie Actress: Comedy 	Nancy Drew 	Nominated
2007	Kids' Choice Awards, Australia	Favorite Movie Star 	Aquamarine 	Nominated
2008	Kids' Choice Awards 	Favorite TV Actress 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2008	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actress 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2008	Young Artist Awards 	Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series 	Unfabulous 	Nominated
2008	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress 	Nancy Drew 	Nominated
2008	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble Cast 	Nancy Drew 	Nominated
2008	Kids' Choice Awards, Australia	Favorite Movie Star 	Nancy Drew 	Nominated
2010	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress 	Hotel for Dogs 	Nominated
2010	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Summer Movie Star: Female 	Twelve 	Nominated
2011	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Movie Actress: Romantic Comedy 	The Art of Getting By 	Nominated
2014	MTV Movie Awards 	Best Kiss (Shared with: Jennifer Aniston and Will Poulter) 	We're the Millers 	Won
2014	Maui Film Festival 	Shining Star Award[72] 	Herself 	Won
2014	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Movie Actress: Comedy 	We're the Millers 	Won
2014	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Movie: Liplock (Shared with: Jennifer Aniston and Will Poulter) 	We're the Millers 	Nominated
2014	Teen Choice Awards 	Candie's Style Icon 	Herself 	Nominated
2016	People's Choice Awards 	Favorite Actress In A New TV Series 	Scream Queens 	Nominated
2016	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice TV Actress: Comedy[73] 	Scream Queens 	Nominated
2017	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice TV Actress: Comedy 	Scream Queens 	Nominated