You probably spent half your childhood watching a blonde, fashion-obsessed teen navigate the chaos of a literal penthouse in New York City. Whether she was fighting with her siblings or trying to keep her "Kitty Couture" blog relevant, Emma Ross was the quintessential Disney Channel big sister. But here is the thing: if you try to look up "Emma Ross" on a movie set today, you aren't going to find her.
That is because Emma Ross real name is actually Peyton Roi List.
It’s a name you’ve likely seen a lot lately, especially if you’ve traded the Disney wand for a karate gi or a supernatural mystery. Honestly, it’s wild how many people still just call her Emma. But Peyton has spent the last decade working incredibly hard to prove she’s more than just the eldest Ross sibling.
The Face Behind the Fashion: Who is Peyton List?
Peyton List was born on April 6, 1998, in Florida. She didn't just wake up one day on the set of Jessie.
Actually, she started out as a child model. You might have even seen her on an American Girl magazine cover back in 2009 without even realizing it. She did hundreds of commercials before she ever stepped foot in the Ross penthouse.
Most people think her "big break" was Disney. Sorta. But before Jessie ever aired, she was already playing Holly Hills in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. That was the role that really put her on the map for kids in the early 2010s. She was the "cool girl" crush that everyone recognized, even before she became a household name on Friday night TV.
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Peyton isn't the only actor in the family, either. She has a twin brother, Spencer List, and a younger brother, Phoenix. They’re all in the industry. Imagine the dinner table conversations in that house!
The Confusion with the "Other" Peyton List
Here is a weird bit of Hollywood trivia that messes with people all the time. There are actually two famous actresses named Peyton List.
- Peyton Roi List: The one we’re talking about (Emma Ross, Cobra Kai).
- Peyton List: An older actress known for Mad Men and The Tomorrow People.
It’s so confusing that the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) usually has strict rules against two people having the same name. But somehow, they both kept it. They actually appeared in the same scene of a soap opera called As the World Turns years ago. The younger Peyton (our Emma Ross) was just a little girl in the background of a scene featuring the older Peyton. Talk about a glitch in the matrix.
Why Emma Ross Still Matters in 2026
Even though Jessie ended years ago, and the spinoff Bunk’d has moved on to a completely different cast, the character of Emma Ross is still a huge part of pop culture. Why? Because she was the only biological child of Morgan and Christina Ross, which gave her a weird, specific pressure within the show's family dynamic.
Emma was the fashionista, sure. But she was also the one who had to grow up the most. She went from a somewhat spoiled "it-girl" to a camp counselor and eventually a business owner.
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When Peyton List returned for a guest spot in Season 5 of Bunk'd in 2021, fans absolutely lost it. It felt like a homecoming. Peyton herself has said in interviews that Emma played such a massive role in her life that she’ll always have a soft spot for the character. It’s rare to see an actor embrace their Disney roots so gracefully while still moving on to much darker, more mature roles.
From Glitter to Grit: The Cobra Kai Pivot
If you want to see how much "Emma Ross" has changed, just watch Cobra Kai.
Peyton plays Tory Nichols, and honestly, she couldn’t be further from Emma. Tory is a fighter. She’s tough, she’s struggling with poverty, and she’s got a mean roundhouse kick. There is no glitter here.
This transition is why people are searching for her real name so often now. You see this girl throwing punches on Netflix and think, Wait, is that the girl from the Disney show? Yes, it is. She’s also the lead in the Paramount+ series School Spirits, where she plays a ghost solving her own murder. It's a long way from the Walden Academy hallways.
Quick Facts About Peyton List (The Real Emma Ross)
To keep it simple, here is the breakdown of what you actually need to know about her:
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- Full Name: Peyton Roi List.
- Birthday: April 6, 1998.
- Height: About 5'6".
- Most Famous Roles: Emma Ross (Jessie), Tory Nichols (Cobra Kai), Maddie Nears (School Spirits), and Holly Hills (Diary of a Wimpy Kid).
- Fun Fact: She is a twin! Her brother Spencer is also an actor.
- Business: She launched her own beauty brand called Parray Beauty.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Peyton List is "just a Disney kid."
A lot of actors get stuck in that "mouse house" bubble and never get out. Peyton didn't just get out; she shattered the mold. She’s one of the few who managed to stay relevant without a major public breakdown or a total rebrand that felt forced. She just... kept working.
She also produces now. She has a producer credit on School Spirits, which shows she’s taking control of her career behind the camera, too.
Moving Forward
If you’re looking to follow her career beyond the Ross family, your best bet is to check out her latest work on streaming platforms.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch School Spirits on Paramount+ if you want a more mature, supernatural vibe.
- Binge Cobra Kai on Netflix to see her incredible stunt work.
- Follow her on Instagram (@peytonlist) to see her actual life, which—spoiler alert—involves a lot less sibling rivalry than the show did.
Knowing Emma Ross real name is just the entry point. Once you realize it's Peyton List, you start to see her everywhere, from horror movies to major fashion campaigns. She’s definitely not that kid in the penthouse anymore.