Emma Roberts Says Aunt Julia Roberts' Classics Are Her 'Comfort' Movies to Watch When 'I’m by Myself'

The 'American Horror Story' actress added that the two also hope to work with each other at some point in their careers

Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts
Julia Roberts; Emma Roberts. Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Emma Roberts finds peace and comfort in seeing her aunt’s films.

In a new interview with Variety published on Friday, July 5, the 33-year-old niece of Julia Roberts revealed that in her alone time, she winds down by rewatching Julia’s classics. 

Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts
Emma Roberts and Julia Roberts. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The confession came when the Scream Queens alum was asked if the two might ever work together in a movie. 

“I would love to find the perfect project for me and my aunt, and I know that there will be something. But it’s never been the right thing,” she told the publication. “She’s the best, and I want to do something with her. We send each other books and talk about stuff but it hasn’t been right.”

Until that dream project arrives, Emma is fine simply admiring her Oscar-winning aunt’s work.

“I watch her movies when I’m on location and I’m by myself. I have movies of hers downloaded on my computer that I watch for comfort. My Best Friend’s Wedding and America’s Sweethearts are my safe movies,” she said.

Julia Roberts my best friends wedding
Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding.

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Julia stars as the leading lady in both romantic comedies. 

Emma, the daughter of Julia's older brother Eric Roberts, has opened up about her relationship with the veteran actress in past interviews — always maintaining that there’s no pressure to live up to Julia’s success.

"I never aspired to be [my aunt]," Emma told Tatler in the magazine's March 2022 cover story. "I love her so much, I love her work, but I'm just doing my own thing."

Speaking to Variety about her own work, she explained how she tunes out the criticism she can sometimes receive.

In her newest film Space Cadet, Emma stars as a Florida party girl who becomes the only hope for a NASA space program. 

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Emma Roberts at the Tod's Hamptons Summer Celebration and dinner party on July 26, 2023 in East Hampton
Emma Roberts, July 2023.

Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images

“It’s earnest,” she told Variety of the Prime Video rom-com. “And people are probably going to make fun of that, but it’s like, you know what, whatever.”

Emma didn’t let the naysayers get her down because she truly enjoyed the project, recalling how she felt “so in love” with the script. 

“I felt like it really just reminded me of all the movies that I loved as a kid and a teen, and it felt super fresh, but at the same time really nostalgic. Everything I had been reading was so dark and depressing and felt very kind of small, and I just wanted to do something that felt inspiring and fun and light, and this was that for me,” Emma said.

And though one of her most recent projects, Madame Web, which was released in February, didn’t reach box office success, Emma had no qualms about being cast.

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“I’m not intimidated by failure, and I’m not intimidated by people having negative thoughts about something. I personally really loved Madame Web. I really enjoyed the movie.”

“If it wasn’t for internet culture and everything being made into a joke, I think that the reception would’ve been different,” Emma said, adding, “People just make such a joke out of everything now.”

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