Emma Roberts: Talk of Nepotism Is 'So Ridiculous'

By Nicki Gostin Posted Jun 16th 2011 10:00PM

In 'The Art of Getting By,' Emma Roberts plays a popular high school teen who begins a relationship with a lonely misfit played by an all-grown-up Freddie Highmore. The 20-year-old daughter of Eric (and niece of Julia) has been working since she was a kid and is whip smart in interviews. She spoke to PopEater about highs (school and heels), her love of thick eyebrows and the "ridiculous" chatter on the blogs that she has benefited from her famous kin.

"I think [talk of nepotism] is so ridiculous considering it's obviously not true ... I've auditioned for so many things and never gotten the part," she said, before challenging bloggers intent on bashing her to man up. "I would actually have more respect for them if they said it to my face, then I would probably not say anything back."

Did you go to school?
I went to school till seventh grade and then I was home schooled through high school.

'The Art of Getting By' Clip | Times and Reviews

Was it strange to play a high school student?
I mean, no because high school is such a big part of American culture, it's so prevalent in music and TV and movies, I think I get the gist!

Do you feel cheated that you didn't go?
No, I got to travel all over the world and work with really cool people so I think that was an education in itself.

Were you popular in school?
I was popular, I had a lot of friends but I wasn't like a mean girl. I was also always the shortest person in my class. I'm 5'2".

Do you wear big heels to compensate?
I wear heels 24/7. I can run faster in heels than I can in sneakers. I trip all the time but it's nothing to do with heels. I trip all the time but I haven't taken a bad spill, knock on wood.

In the beginning did everyone accuse you of nepotism because of your dad and aunt?
A lot of people think that and they talk about nepotism which I think is so ridiculous considering it's obviously not true, because I've auditioned for so many things and never gotten the part. Also it's like, you know, maybe someone can get you one part but they can't really get you ten parts.

I think she could probably get you a part playing her daughter, but that's about it.
Exactly.

Would you want to work with her?
Yes I would love to. I think it would be really fun for us.

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Emma Roberts Snapshots

Who you gonna call? Aunt Julia! Deh deh, deh deh, deh deh, deh deh, deh-deh deh-deh. Emma Roberts arrives at Los Angeles International Airport on June 14. More Pics of the Young and Beautiful Star >>

GVK/bauergriffinonline.com

Emma Roberts Snapshots

Â©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Emma Roberts makes a call as she arrives at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) off a late night flight. NON-EXCLUSIVE June 14th 2011 Job: 110615NR1 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Emma Roberts Snapshots

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 13: Actress Emma Roberts attends the after party for the Cinema Society with Alice+Olivia screening of "The Art of Getting By" at Thompson Hotel LES on June 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/WireImage)

Emma Roberts Snapshots

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 13: Actress Emma Roberts and actress Abigail Breslin attend the after party for the Cinema Society with Alice+Olivia screening of "The Art of Getting By" at Thompson Hotel LES on June 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/WireImage)

Emma Roberts Snapshots

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 13: Actress Emma Roberts and actor Gabriel Basso attend the after party for the Cinema Society with Alice+Olivia screening of "The Art of Getting By" at Thompson Hotel LES on June 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Emma Roberts Snapshots

You know you'll be accused of nepotism if it happens.
Oh well, if someone wants to say that to my face. If someone blogs about it I'll be annoyed. I think it's so funny people will blog stuff but they won't say it to your face. I would actually have more respect for them if they said it to my face, then I would probably not say anything back.

Are you immune to nasty comments online or do you still get upset?
I don't read them anymore but obviously you know that they're there. For me I can't let it bother me because for me anyone hiding behind a computer is kind of irrelevant.

Or a loser.
Uh uh. Also I can handle it, but there are some people with the whole bullying thing can't handle it and do horrible things to themselves.

I feel a kindred spirit with you. I have thick eyebrows too.
I had a total unibrow. Literally I had a total Frida Kahlo unibrow. When I was younger I got made fun of. I think I was 12, I was on a TV show and afterwards kids in school were like, 'You have a unibrow,' and I remember I was so embarrassed. It's funny because now I love thick eyebrows. I think they're so beautiful, not a unibrow. Now I just make sure to wax in the middle.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
I eat so much junk food. What I eat most is chocolate croissants. I'm eating one right now. I probably eat them more than I eat anything else. I'm obsessed and I love a midnight Milky Way.

How come there are no photos of you tripping outside a nightclub?
I love going to Europe because you're allowed to go out. I'm not trying to go out to be a mess but I love to go dancing and in Europe I'm old enough to be allowed to go out dancing with my friends. I love London, it's my favorite place.

Do you go to raves?
Oh no, no, I'm not a raver.

What do you do when you're not working?
I love to read and go to the movies. I love to go out and eat sushi. I could eat sushi every day.

So sushi and chocolate croissants are the way to win your heart.
Actually, yes!

More Q&As From Nicki Gostin: Tatum O'Neal, Flavor Flav, Kelly Clarkson and Keira Knightley

Tags: Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts, The Art of Getting By

Comments

(35)

Thursday 16 June

By cathy

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Is she kidding? I know some terrific actors who can't get an audition! This girl is seriously full of herself if she doesn't realize her name gets her in the door!

Saturday 18 June

By BTDT

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Eric Roberts is a great actor. Julia, not so much.

By webster19994

I thought the same thing...sooooooo naive! Not getting a few parts doesn't mean the last name didn't at least get her an audition. I would have taught my daughter how to answer this differently and say "So many people enjoy the work of my aunt that maybe they're curious to see if I inherited her talent and that's fine but in the end the last name gets me in the door but I need talent to sustain a career!" A Seventeen mag editor said I would make a great PR person. hahahaha

By Annamaria

I hate to admit it but her last name does help her get opportunities. She's not that great of an actress. If she weren't related to Julia Roberts, she wouldn't be having this interview. She's not a bad person but she is a bit naive and not very intelligent.

By Sage

~Not talented, no charisma, nothing special or interesting to look at. She also doesn't sound very intelligent. Boring! There are soooo many more wonderful young actresses out there. If she didn't haven her family "name" she would not have gotten in the first door.

Friday 17 June

By GOD

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SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO TALENT..JUST LIKE HER RETARDED FATHER AND FUGLY AUNT..THE WORLD NEEDS TO BE RID OF ALL OF THEM!
CAN YOU SA INCEST!!??!!:)

By Fern

wow, she actually thinks she's where she is on her own. wow.

By sheila

Oh no, she is working today because she is such a great actress, really she is (wink). She is in her own world if she thinks her name had nothing to do with her working in Hollywood! Yup, nepotism is alive and well.

By monica

Wow so many haters on here. I don't know a thing about her, but I'd certainly give her a chance to prove her acting. And just for the record her dad Eric is a far better actor than boring Julia any day. Let's hope Emma takes after her dad!

By papaknuck1942

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Her dad? Really? Setting the bar a little low, aren't you?

By kash

Yes, her dad. He is a really talented actor. One of my favorites. I'll go to see any movie he is in.

By Bubbles

Emma - Really? Nepotism is ridiculous? Ive seen you act...nepotism for sure. Its only ridiculous to think you are where you are because you can act. Your aunt got you in the business and that is how you are still there. Maybe you have talent for behind the scene jobs?

Sunday 19 June

By Herself

Hmmm... writer? No. Directing? No.

I think she'd break a nail doing lights or camera...

Make-up? Wouldn't let her near me with a brush.

Props? Wouldn't let her near anything with a glue gun.

Ok, I got nothing...

By Anna

I saw her new movie the art of getting by at a screening this week and i could not stop hating her! OF COURSE her aunt being who she is gets her in the door! who is she trying to fool? America? or HERSELF?

If she 'can' act...she didn't inherit it from her father.

By angela72

Eric Roberts is a good actor. Did you know that he was nominated for an Oscar for Runaway Train. Papaknuck - you need to get a life.

By Jules

This article is "so ridiculous". Popeater, you need some new writers. Of course this is nepotism. Emma isn't horrible but she certainly isn't anything special EXCEPT for her last name. Either your writer is incredibly naive or just stupid. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Hey Papaknuck1942 - Eric Roberts has been in really good movies like Star 80 and Runaway Train (for which he was nominated for an Oscar). Do your research. He's a good actor. Where have you been Papaknuck? Under a rock I suppose.

By sleezyscoundrel

Don't forget his role in "Pope of Greenwich Village". He kicked some arse there.