Julia Roberts and her niece Emma Roberts share more than a famous last name — but also films, family gatherings and, according to the American Horror Story star herself, a mouthful of teeth.
Julia and Emma, the daughter of the Oscar winner’s brother Eric Roberts and ex Kelly Cunningham, have quietly built one of Hollywood’s most enduring aunt-niece bonds over the past two decades.
Scroll below for look at how the pair’s relationship has evolved through the years:
Emma Roberts’ Early Days Alongside Aunt Julia Roberts
Long before Emma became a household name in her own right, she was quietly logging on-screen time with her famous aunt. The two appeared together in 2001’s America’s Sweethearts, where Emma had a small, uncredited role, followed by 2002’s Grand Champion and 2010’s Valentine’s Day.
Despite the shared filmography, Emma made clear early on that she was determined to forge her own path.
“I’m just doing my own thing,” Emma previously told Us in 2011. “I don’t really compare it to what my aunt does, but I do admire her and love all her movies.”
Emma also followed in Julia’s footsteps by attending the same all-girls sleepaway camp in Minnesota owned by distant relatives.
Emma Roberts Jokes About Family Resemblance With Julia Roberts
By 2019, the pair’s likeness became a running joke. After posting a beaming selfie on Instagram following a blonde refresh, Emma addressed the frequent comparisons to the Pretty Woman star.
“We have a lot of teeth,” Emma quipped to Entertainment Tonight of the resemblance, noting her family keeps her grounded. “Whenever I’m feeling … insecure or whatever, I think staying away from the mirror is always a good idea. And just, like, spending good times with friends.”
Eric Roberts Weighs In on the Bond Between Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts
Eric exclusively opened up to Us about watching his sister and daughter build a close relationship.
“They look so much alike that I love the pictures of them when they’re side-by-side,” Eric gushed. “They’re both such Robertses. You know? It’s really cool to look at them. I love seeing them together.”
Eric’s wife, Eliza Roberts, further told Us that Julia was “incredibly supportive” of their extended family and even credited the Runaway Bride actress with helping her son Keaton land an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2013 and regularly ordering food from her daughter Morgan’s catering business.
“That’s a really big deal. That’s really, really special,” Eliza told Us. “Because there’s people who don’t do that. They don’t act on the things that they’re passionate about, but she does. I love her for that so much.”
Emma Roberts Reflects on Julia Roberts’ Fame
In a candid moment on the “Table for Two” podcast in June 2024, Emma revealed that witnessing Julia’s stratospheric fame shaped her own approach to Hollywood.
“I saw very up close what that really looks like with my aunt Julia,” Emma told host Bruce Bozzi. “It’s fun and it’s great, but there is a part of it that’s really scary. I always wanted to kind of carve my own path. Fame has never been the goal, because fame at a certain level is kind of scary.”
Julia Roberts Attends Emma Roberts’ Idaho Wedding
Julia and her husband, Danny Moder, joined a small group of family and friends at Emma’s intimate wedding to actor Cody John in July 2026. Emma and John, exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony held at a private residence in Sun Valley, Idaho, surrounded by dozens of white roses.
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
