If you spent any part of the late 2000s huddled over a laptop watching movie trailers on YouTube, you probably remember the absolute chokehold Wild Child had on a generation. It was the quintessential teen movie. You had Emma Roberts playing Poppy Moore—the spoiled Malibu princess—and Alex Pettyfer as Freddie, the floppy-haired British headmistress’s son who was, quite frankly, the blueprint for a specific kind of teenage crush.
But here is the thing about Emma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer. While their on-screen chemistry was enough to fuel a thousand Tumblr blogs, the real-world story behind their relationship was way more intense than a PG-13 rom-com script. We aren't just talking about a "they dated for five minutes" Hollywood fling.
This was a 2008 whirlwind. They were young, they were famous, and they were very much in love—at least for a year.
The Wild Child Connection: Where It All Started
They met on the set of Wild Child in 2007. Emma was just 16; Alex was 17.
At the time, Emma was already Hollywood royalty-adjacent as Julia Roberts' niece and the star of Unfabulous. Alex was the "next big thing" from across the pond, having just starred in Stormbreaker. When you put two teenagers in a beautiful English boarding school setting (they filmed mostly at Cobham Hall in Kent), things happen.
They didn't just play love interests. They became them.
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Honestly, the chemistry you see in the movie? That wasn't just good acting. They were actively dating while filming those scenes where Poppy tries to get Freddie's attention by dancing or "accidentally" running into him. It makes the movie a weirdly authentic time capsule of their honeymoon phase.
That Infamous Tattoo (and the Regret)
Most 17-year-olds express their love with a promise ring or maybe a shared Spotify playlist (if we were in 2026 back then). Alex Pettyfer took a different route.
He went and got "Emma" tattooed on his ring finger.
Yes, really. In a 2010 interview with Glamour UK, Alex admitted that he got the ink because he was genuinely, deeply in love. He told the magazine, "I got a girl's name tattooed on my ring finger because I was in love... We've broken up, but I don't live in regret."
Fast forward a bit, and the "no regret" sentiment seemingly shifted. Later reports and photos showed that the ink had been altered—basically covered up with a black bar or modified into something less recognizable. It’s the classic celebrity lesson: maybe don't put the name on the finger until the paperwork is signed.
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Why Did Emma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer Break Up?
They lasted for about a year. By the time the film was actually doing its press rounds in 2008, the spark was reportedly cooling off.
So, what went wrong?
- Distance and Career Growth: Emma was based in LA; Alex was frequently in the UK or traveling for his next big breaks (Beastly, I Am Number Four).
- The "Intense" Factor: Alex has a reputation for being... well, intense. During his later relationship with Dianna Agron, rumors of "controlling behavior" surfaced. While nothing that extreme was ever officially pinned to his time with Emma, the sheer speed of their romance (and that tattoo) suggests it was a very heavy, high-pressure situation for two kids who weren't even old enough to vote yet.
- Growing Apart: Emma later mentioned in interviews—specifically with Flaunt in 2024—that she eventually reached a point where she didn't want to date actors anymore. She noted that being with "method actors" or people deeply entrenched in the industry made relationships "extremely difficult."
Where Are They Now in 2026?
The world has moved on, and so have they. Emma Roberts is a mother now (she has a son, Rhodes, with ex Garrett Hedlund) and has spent the last decade becoming the face of American Horror Story. She’s transitioned from the "teen scream queen" to a legitimate producer and powerhouse in the industry.
Alex Pettyfer’s journey has been a bit more turbulent. He had a very public falling out with Channing Tatum on the set of Magic Mike—which Alex later admitted was largely his own fault due to his insecurity and social anxiety. He married model Toni Garrn in 2020, had a daughter, but the couple announced their divorce in 2023.
The Legacy of the "ER" Era
Do they talk? Probably not.
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In the small circle of Hollywood, they likely cross paths at an event or two, but they aren't exactly "ex-goals" like Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. They represent a very specific era of teen stardom—the transition from the squeaky-clean Disney/Nick era to the more "edgy" teen dramas of the late 2000s.
What Most People Get Wrong About Them
A lot of fans think they were "endgame" because the movie ends with them together in Malibu. In reality, the press tour for Wild Child was reportedly a bit awkward. If you watch old clips of them on Breakfast TV or at the Dublin premiere, you can see the shift from "star-crossed lovers" to "professional co-stars trying to get through the day."
They were essentially each other's first "big" Hollywood love. And like most first loves, it was messy, impulsive, and ultimately unsustainable.
Quick Stats: The Roberts-Pettyfer Timeline
- Met: 2007 on the set of Wild Child.
- Dating Duration: Approximately 2007–2008.
- The Ink: Alex got "Emma" on his right ring finger; later covered it up.
- Current Status: Not in contact; both have moved on to parenthood and different long-term partners.
Moving Past the Nostalgia
If you're looking to revisit the Emma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer magic, your best bet is to just re-watch the movie. The real-life version ended a long time ago.
But there is a takeaway here. Their relationship serves as a case study for the "teen actor" trap. When you're young and filming in a bubble, the line between your character's feelings and your own gets incredibly blurry. Emma has since spoken about the "veil being lifted" regarding dating actors, and honestly, can you blame her?
What to do next
If you want to see how their careers diverged after the breakup, check out Emma's work in Scream Queens for that same "Poppy Moore" energy, or look into Alex's directorial debut Back Roads to see his shift into more serious, gritty filmmaking. Just don't go looking for any hidden "ER" tattoos—those have been gone for a long time.