Academy Award winner Julia Roberts' niece and "Scream Queens" star Emma Roberts claims to have lost out on acting roles due to her famous family's reputation, revealing that she's even faced criticism at a young age despite her talent and hard work.
Emma Roberts, the "Scream Queens" actress and niece of Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts, has opened up about the challenges she has faced in Hollywood due to her family connections. In a recent interview with Flaunt, Roberts revealed that she has "lost more jobs than [she's] gained" due to nepotism.
"People have opinions, and sometimes maybe they're not good opinions of people in your family," she explained. "I've never gotten a job because of it, I know I definitely have lost a couple of jobs because of it."
Emma Roberts on Nepotism: "I've Lost More Jobs Than I've Gained
One of Roberts' biggest heartbreaks came when she lost the role of Wendy in the 2003 film "Peter Pan" at the age of nine. "I came very close. I had a British accent," she recalled in an interview with Variety. "I was very impressed with myself, but I didn’t get the part."
"The one that got away in the beginning was ‘I Am Sam,’ which the amazing Dakota Fanning obviously got," she added. "I came close, but the feedback was, ‘You’re a little on the older side,’ and I was nine. To be told you’re on the older side at nine, I was like, ‘There’s my thick skin. It grew right there.’"
Emma Roberts on Nepotism: "I've Lost More Jobs Than I've Gained
Roberts has also questioned whether men have it easier than women when it comes to nepotism in Hollywood. "People definitely have preconceived notions of you," she told Bruce Bozzi on his podcast "Table for Two."
"I think there's two sides of the coin, you know. People like to say, ‘You have a leg up, because you have family in the industry,’ but then the other side to that is, you know, you have to prove yourself more," she explained. "Also, if people don't have [a] good experience maybe with other people in your family, then you'll never get the chance."
Emma Roberts on Nepotism: "I've Lost More Jobs Than I've Gained
Despite the challenges, Roberts remains determined to succeed on her own merits and has expressed a desire to work with her aunt Julia on a future project. "I know that there will be something," she told Variety. "But it’s never been the right thing. She’s the best, and I want to do something with her."
Roberts' experiences highlight the complex realities of nepotism in Hollywood and the challenges faced by those born into famous families. While some may enjoy certain advantages, others may find it difficult to separate their own talents from the expectations and biases associated with their family name.
