If you spent any part of the 2010s glued to the Disney Channel, you know Emma Ross. She was the fashion-obsessed, slightly ditzy, but ultimately gold-hearted oldest sibling of the Ross clan. People still search for emma from jessie real name because that character was such a massive part of a generation's childhood.
The actress behind the designer handbags is Peyton List.
Honestly, she’s one of the few Disney stars who managed to jump the fence into "serious" acting without the typical tabloid meltdown. She didn't just play Emma; she became Emma for nearly seven years across Jessie and its spin-off Bunk'd. But if you haven't kept up with her since the penthouse days, you're missing out on a pretty wild career shift.
Who is Peyton List?
Peyton Roi List was born on April 6, 1998. She’s a Florida girl who moved to New York when she was young. Fun fact: she actually has a twin brother named Spencer List. He’s an actor too. They even graduated high school together on the set of their respective shows.
Most people think Jessie was her first big break. It wasn't.
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Before she was Emma Ross, she was Holly Hills in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. Remember the girl Greg Heffley was obsessed with? That was her. She also played a younger version of Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses. She was working long before Disney came knocking.
The "Two Peyton Lists" Problem
Hollywood is a weird place. There is actually another, older actress also named Peyton List (born in 1986). You might know her from Mad Men or Gotham.
It’s confusing. Really confusing.
The two Peytons have actually received each other's call sheets and stayed at the same hotels. To keep things clear, the younger Peyton—our Emma Ross—sometimes uses "Peyton R. List." It's a weird industry quirk that still trips people up when they're Googling the emma from jessie real name today.
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Life After the Ross Penthouse
When Jessie ended in 2015, Peyton didn't just disappear. She moved straight into Bunk'd, taking Emma Ross from the city to the woods. But eventually, every Disney kid wants to prove they can do more than deliver a laugh track punchline.
Then came Cobra Kai.
If you haven't seen it, her role as Tory Nichols is the polar opposite of Emma. Tory is a troubled, tough-as-nails fighter with a mean roundhouse kick. Peyton actually admitted in interviews that she didn't think she was "tough enough" for the role when she first auditioned. She had to train like a maniac to pull it off.
It worked. Fans loved the transformation.
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What is She Doing in 2026?
It's 2026, and Peyton is busier than ever. She’s currently starring in and executive producing the Paramount+ hit School Spirits. Season 3 just premiered this January, and she’s receiving some of the best reviews of her life for playing Maddie Nears.
But wait, there's more.
She just made her Off-Broadway debut this month. As of January 26, 2026, she is officially playing Heather Chandler in Heathers: The Musical at New World Stages. It’s a huge move. Going from a Disney sitcom to a gritty musical stage production shows she’s got the range to survive the long haul in this industry.
Fast Facts You Probably Didn't Know
- Net Worth: Estimates put her at around $7 million, though that's likely grown with her production credits on School Spirits.
- Pley Beauty: She launched her own clean beauty brand a few years back. She's actually very involved in the formulas, not just a face on the box.
- Directing: She’s expressed a lot of interest in getting behind the camera.
People often get stuck in the past. They see a face and think "Oh, that's Emma." But Peyton List has successfully navigated the "Disney Curse" by picking roles that challenge that image. She went from a fashionista to a karate champion to a ghost solving her own murder.
If you’re looking to follow her current journey, the best thing to do is check out School Spirits on Paramount+. It’s a great example of how a child star evolves into a legitimate leading lady. You can also catch her on Instagram (@peytonlist), where she shares a lot of behind-the-scenes looks at her new stage life in New York.
Next Steps:
- Check out School Spirits if you want to see her move beyond comedy.
- Follow her Broadway journey through the official Heathers social media accounts for clips of her performance as Heather Chandler.