If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen that viral clip of Julia and Emma Roberts laughing together at a New York Fashion Week event. It was late 2025, and they looked so much alike it was actually kind of jarring. Same auburn hair. Same wide, "America’s Sweetheart" smile.
But here’s the thing: everyone keeps trying to make Julia Roberts vs Emma Roberts a thing, like it’s some high-stakes competition for the family throne.
It isn't.
Honestly, it never has been. While the media loves a good "who’s the bigger star" narrative, the reality of the Roberts family dynamic is way more nuanced than a box office spreadsheet. Julia is a global icon with a $3.9 billion lifetime gross. Emma is the indie-horror queen who carved out a niche that her aunt wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
The "Aunt Julia" Shadow is Real (But Not How You Think)
Let’s be real for a second. Being the niece of the most famous woman in the world isn't just about getting better reservations at restaurants. Emma has been incredibly vocal about how "scary" Julia’s level of fame was to witness up close.
She saw the paparazzi. She saw the lack of privacy.
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In a 2024 interview on the Table for Two podcast, Emma admitted that she never actually wanted that level of "gargantuan" fame. To her, Julia's career wasn't a blueprint; it was a cautionary tale about the cost of being a superstar.
While Julia was winning an Oscar for Erin Brockovich, Emma was just a kid hanging out on the sets of America's Sweethearts. She wasn't watching a mentor; she was watching her aunt work a job. That distinction is huge. It’s why Emma has leaned so heavily into Ryan Murphy’s twisted world in American Horror Story rather than trying to be the next rom-com queen.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Julia Roberts vs Emma Roberts
If we're looking at pure statistics, the comparison is almost unfair because they play such different games.
- Julia’s Peak: We’re talking about a woman who was the first female actor to command a $20 million salary. She redefined the romantic comedy genre with Pretty Woman and Notting Hill.
- Emma’s Peak: Emma has over 40 acting credits, but her power lies in television and cult-classic films. She’s "Internet Famous" in a way Julia never had to be. Her characters—like Madison Montgomery—are meme gold.
People always ask why they haven't done a movie together. They actually both appeared in the 2010 film Valentine’s Day, but they didn't share a single scene. Emma told Variety recently that they send each other books and scripts all the time, but the "right project" hasn't surfaced yet. Basically, they're waiting for something that isn't just a gimmick about them being related.
The Nepotism Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about these two without the "nepo baby" discourse coming up. It’s unavoidable.
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Emma knows it, too. She’s famously pointed out the double standard in Hollywood, noting that people rarely give George Clooney a hard time for having a famous aunt (the legendary Rosemary Clooney), yet she gets the "eye roll" constantly.
There's a gritty history here that most fans forget. Julia and Emma's father, Eric Roberts, were estranged for years. In fact, Julia actually helped fund the legal battle for Emma’s mother, Kelly Cunningham, during a custody dispute when Emma was a baby.
That’s some heavy family drama.
The fact that they are as close as they are today—sharing "comfort movies" and coordinating outfits for Jacquemus events—is actually a testament to how they’ve navigated the messiness of fame together. Julia isn't just a competitor; she’s the person Emma calls when she’s on location and feeling lonely.
Why the 2026 Perspective Matters
We are now at a point where Emma Roberts is a veteran in her own right. She’s been acting since she was nine years old in Blow. She’s a mother now. The "Julia’s niece" label is finally starting to peel off because her body of work is so distinct from the Roberts brand of the 90s.
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Julia is also leaning into a different phase, taking on more prestige television like Homecoming and gritty thrillers. They aren't fighting for the same roles. They aren't even in the same lane.
How to View Their Careers Today
If you’re trying to decide who "wins" in the Julia Roberts vs Emma Roberts debate, you're looking at it wrong.
- Look at the Genre: Julia owns the 90s rom-com and the 2000s prestige drama. Emma owns the 2010s/2020s "camp" and horror-thriller space.
- Follow the Influence: Julia influenced how much actresses get paid. Emma influences how young actresses build a brand through social media and niche genre projects.
- Check the Style: Julia is the queen of oversized suiting and classic Hollywood glam. Emma is the face of "quiet luxury" mixed with a bit of "indie sleaze" edge.
The comparison is essentially a dead end. Instead of looking for a winner, look at how they've managed to keep a family bond intact in an industry designed to tear families apart.
What to Watch to See the Difference
If you really want to feel the contrast between their styles, do a double feature this weekend. Start with Julia in My Best Friend’s Wedding—which Emma actually cites as her "safe movie"—and then immediately flip to Emma in the "Coven" season of American Horror Story.
The difference is staggering. One is all warmth and magnetic charm; the other is sharp, biting, and intentionally unlikable.
That’s the beauty of the Roberts legacy. It’s not a carbon copy. It’s an evolution.
Next Steps for Fans: If you want to track their individual projects, keep an eye on Julia’s upcoming collaboration with director Luca Guadagnino, and check out Emma’s latest production credits, as she’s increasingly moving behind the camera to produce literary adaptations.