Emma Watkins

Last updated

Emma Watkins
Emma Watkins in Toronto - 2018 (44167590694) (cropped).jpg
Watkins in 2018
Born
Emma Olivia Watkins

(1989-09-21) 21 September 1989 (age 35)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia [1]
Other names
  • Emma Wiggle
  • Emma Memma
Occupation(s)Children's entertainer, dancer, television presenter
Years active2010–present
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2016;div. 2018)​
  • Oliver Brian
    ​
    (m. 2022)​

Emma Olivia Watkins (born 21 September 1989) [2] is an Australian children's entertainer, dancer and television presenter. She is best known as the first female member of the children's group the Wiggles, which she was a member of from 2013 to 2021. Due to her popularity in the group, she starred in her own spinoff series as a solo Wiggles performer, titled Emma!. After departing the group, she debuted her own children's entertainment character, Emma Memma, in 2022. She released her first solo children's music album in September 2022, which received an ARIA Award for Best Children's Album in 2023.

Contents

Watkins has also appeared in reality television series including The Masked Singer , The Amazing Race Australia and a Christmas special of Lego Masters Australia . She narrated the children's series Reef School, and hosted Teenage Boss: Next Level in 2024.

Early life

Watkins started ballet when she was four. She saw the Wiggles perform Irish dancing and later studied other styles of dance, including jazz, hip hop, tap and contemporary. She attended The McDonald College, a performing arts school, won a full scholarship at the Sydney Film School, and completed a certificate specialising in musical theatre at ED5 International in Sydney. Watkins earned a master's degree in Media Arts and Production at the University of Technology Sydney. She has taught dance to children since she was in high school. She has also performed in Bollywood films, learned drums and other percussion instruments, was crowned Miss Granny Smith Apples in 2009, and was learning Auslan, the Australian sign language, by 2012. [1] As of 2021, she was doing her PhD research on sign language and dance. [3]

Career

2010–2021: The Wiggles

In 2010, Watkins began performing with the Wiggles, first as Fairy Larissa and then as Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur, and as a Wiggly Dancer. [1] [4] [5] She used her film skills during tours with the group, providing them with video and editing services. [1] In May 2012, the Wiggles announced that Watkins would become the first female Wiggle, replacing founding member Greg Page as the Yellow Wiggle. [4] The original members stated that they chose Watkins because she was the most qualified for the job, and commented that it was "a strategy for marketing the Wiggles into the next generation". [6]

Lisa Tolin of the Associated Press called Watkins a strong role model for girls, and reported that her fans came to concerts dressed like her and that they gave her homemade bows, which had become part of her signature look. [7] Because of her popularity, the company produced a new television series titled Emma!, featuring Watkins as a solo performer, which aired in 2015. [8] Up to 80% of the audience at Wiggles concerts would emulate her costuming and wear yellow; by 2021 it was estimated that 50% of the group's merchandising was specific to the "Emma" brand. [9]

In September 2019, it was announced that Watkins would host weekend afternoon programs on Sydney and Melbourne radio station smoothfm. [10] In October 2020, Watkins appeared in the music video for "Back 2 Back" by Samantha Jade. At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards in November, she joined an ensemble of Australian women singers to perform "I Am Woman" as a tribute to its singer and songwriter, Helen Reddy. [11]

It was reported through corporate filings that Watkins had acquired approximately 8% ownership of the Wiggles' brand as well as a company directorship in June 2018. [9] Watkins announced her departure from the Wiggles in October 2021 and was replaced by Tsehay Hawkins. [12] [13]

2022–present: Emma Memma

In early 2022, Watkins hinted at the introduction of a new children's entertainment character, Emma Memma, through her social media. [14] The new character was designed to incorporate elements of song, dance and sign language. [14] Toronto-based company Headspinner Productions announced their partnership with Watkins in July 2022 to debut the character in a new pre-school television series titled Emma Memma: Sing. Dance. Sign. [15] Watkins was appointed as an executive producer for the series, to be produced through her company Apricot Sea. [15] The series is expected to begin filming in early 2023 for release later in the year. [15] The character and its design were officially revealed in July; [16] music videos were subsequently released through YouTube. [15] In February 2023, Watkins released a book to go with her Emma Memma character, music and upcoming children's television series. The book was titled Hello, Emma Memma. [17] [18] [19]

During this period, Watkins competed on the fourth season of the Australian version of The Masked Singer as "Zombie" placing eighth. [20] [21] She also appeared as a celebrity contestant on the 2022 Lego Masters Australia Christmas special. [22] [23] Watkins provided the narration for the ABC children's series Reef School in 2022. [24] In June 2023, Watkins released another children's story book titled Emma Memma: How Are You? [25] as well as her first activity book that was called Emma Memma Sticker Activity Book. [26] Later that year, Watkins competed on the seventh season of The Amazing Race Australia with her sister, Hayley Watkins; tying equal first with Darren McMullen and nephew Tristan, and Alli Simpson and mother Angie. [27] In October 2023, she released her third kids story book, which was titled Emma Memma's Alphabet Day. [28] The book includes a fun little story involving Emma Memma as well as a page full of detailed illustrations presenting each letter of the alphabet in Auslan. [29] She also released her second activity book titled Emma Memma Craft Book. [30]

Personal life

Watkins and fellow Wiggles performer Lachlan Gillespie were married on 9 April 2016 at Hopewood House in Bowral, New South Wales. [31] [32] On 3 August 2018, Watkins and Gillespie announced their separation. [33]

In April 2018, Watkins was forced to withdraw from several shows, suffering from pain caused by severe endometriosis. She underwent surgery after being diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis. Her specialist, Professor Jason Abbott, believes that Watkins's speaking out about her diagnosis helped raise awareness of the condition. [34]

On 5 April 2021, Watkins announced her engagement to Oliver Brian, a musician who worked with the Wiggles. They began dating in December 2019. [35] On 2 May 2022, she and Brian were married. [36]

Publications

Discography

Studio albums

List of solo studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[37]
Emma Memma 35
Ballet Time
  • Released: 17 August 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
—
Twirly Tunes
  • Released: 15 March 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
—
"—" denotes items which failed to chart.

Extended plays

List of solo extended plays, with selected details
TitleDetails
Days of the Week
  • Released: 18 February 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Filmography

Television roles
YearTitleRoleNotesReferences
2022 The Masked Singer Zombie Season 4 [20] [21]
Reef SchoolNarrator [24]
Lego Masters Australia Christmas special HerselfChristmas special [22] [23]
2023 The Amazing Race Australia Herself Season 7 [27]
2024 Teenage Boss: Next Level HostSeries 3

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 Emma MemmaBest Independent Children's Album or EPNominated [38] [39]
2024 Ballet TimeBest Independent Children's Album or EPNominated [40]

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 Emma Memma Best Children's Album Won [41]
2024 Twirly TunesBest Children's AlbumNominated [42]

Australian Women in Music Awards

The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2024 Emma WatkinsSpecial Impact AwardWon [43] [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wiggles</span> Australian childrens music group

The Wiggles are an Australian children's music group formed in Sydney in 1991. As of 2022, the group members are Anthony Field, Lachlan Gillespie, Simon Pryce, Tsehay Hawkins, Evie Ferris, John Pearce, Caterina Mete and Lucia Field. The Wiggles were founded in 1991 by Field, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt, Greg Page and Phillip Wilcher. Wilcher left the group after their first album. Page retired in 2006 due to ill health and was replaced by understudy Sam Moran, but returned in 2012, replacing Moran. At the end of 2012, Cook, Fatt and Page retired and were replaced by Gillespie, Pryce and Emma Watkins. Cook and Fatt retained their shareholding in the group and all three continued to have input into its creative and production aspects, while engaging in occasional reunion performances. Watkins departed the group in 2021, with the group subsequently adopting an expanded line-up of eight members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christine Anu</span> Australian pop singer and actress (born 1970)

Christine Anu is an Australian singer-songwriter and actress of Torres Strait Islander origin. She gained popularity with the cover song release of the Warumpi Band's song "My Island Home" in 1995. Anu has been nominated for many ARIA Awards, winning several, as well as five Deadly Awards, among others. In August 2024 she released a new album and single of the same name, Waku: Minaral a Minalay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Fatt</span> Australian musician and actor (born 1953)

Jeffrey Wayne Fatt is a Chinese Australian musician and actor. He was a member of the children's group The Wiggles from its founding in 1991 to 2012, and was also in the 1980s and 1990s pop band The Cockroaches with fellow Wiggle Anthony Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Campbell (singer)</span> Australian singer and actor (born 1973)

David Joseph Campbell is an Australian singer, actor, and TV personality. He is the son of singer Jimmy Barnes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Moran</span> Australian entertainer

Samuel Alexander Moran is an Australian entertainer best known for having been a member of the children's band the Wiggles from 2006 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wiggles discography</span> Discography for The Wiggles

Australian children's musical group the Wiggles have released sixty-two studio albums, three live albums, eleven compilation albums, two extended plays, thirty-eight singles, two audiobooks, four karaoke albums, fourteen digital albums, two tribute albums, one remix album and thirteen other albums featuring solo group members or characters. Eighteen of the group's albums have been certified by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) as Gold, Platinum and double Platinum. Three of their albums have reached the top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

This is a list of videos released by the Wiggles. Re-releases that combine two or more videos into one are not counted.

<i>Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas</i> 1996 studio album / 1997 video by the Wiggles

Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas, released in 1996 by ABC Music distributed by EMI. It is the Wiggles' seventh album and the group's first Christmas album. It was made into a video the following year.

Dana Stephensen is an Australian ballet dancer. She is a soloist of The Australian Ballet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachlan Gillespie</span> Australian musician, singer and actor

Lachlan Gillespie is an Australian children's entertainer, singer, musician, and actor. He is a member of the Wiggles and wears the purple skivvy.

The Wiggles characters are a group of characters who perform with the Wiggles, the Australian children's music group. Aside from the eight Wiggles, four secondary characters, along with a troupe of singers, actors, and dancers, appear in their television series, videos, and live concerts. These characters were developed in the 1990s and were originally played by group members and by Anthony Field's brother Paul Field, the band's manager. Later in the group's history, the characters were played by hired actors dressed in the characters' costumes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant (Tame Impala song)</span> 2012 single by Tame Impala

"Elephant" is a song by Australian musical project Tame Impala, released on 26 July 2012 as the lead single from their second album Lonerism (2012). The single features artwork from Australian artist Leif Podhajsky, who also created the artwork for Innerspeaker and the follow-up Lonerism.

<i>Surfer Jeff</i> 2012 studio album/video by The Wiggles

Surfer Jeff is an album by the Wiggles, released in 2012, by ABC Music, distributed by Universal Music Australia. The album won the ARIA Award for Best Children's Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2012. It was the first album to feature Greg Page back in the group's line-up since 2006, as well as the last to feature the original Wiggles line-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Pearce (singer)</span> Musical artist

John Len Ruela Adamo Pearce is an Australian singer, dancer and children's entertainer best known as a member of Justice Crew, and also a member of the children's band The Wiggles where he wears the purple skivvy alongside Lachlan Gillespie.

<i>Och Aye the Gnu</i> 2017 studio album by Jimmy Barnes and The Wiggles

Och Aye the G'nu is a 2017 children's album credited to Australian singer-songwriter, Jimmy Barnes and the Wiggles. It was first mentioned by Anthony Field in the Wiggles' 25th anniversary feature interview. The album was released in March 2017 and peaked at number 34 on the ARIA Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tones and I</span> Australian pop singer

Toni Watson, known professionally as Tones and I, is an Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is best known for her breakout single "Dance Monkey", which reached number one in over 30 countries including her home country Australia. In 2019–20, "Dance Monkey" completed 24 weeks at number one on the Australian singles chart, beating Bing Crosby's all-time Australian record for his version of "White Christmas", which spent an equivalent of 22 weeks at the top in 1943. "Dance Monkey" was certified 19× platinum by ARIA for shipments of over 1,330,000 units by June 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Red Car Ride</span> Former dark ride

The Big Red Car Ride was a dark ride that takes 6 guests at a time on a 120-metre (390 ft) car journey through the Wiggles' house. The house features Wag's Kennel, Henry's Underwater Big Band, and Dorothy's rosy garden. The attraction opened with Wiggles World on 17 September 2005 and closed on 12 August 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsehay Hawkins</span> Australian dancer and singer (born 2005)

Tsehay Hawkins is an Australian dancer and singer, best known as a member of the Wiggles. She was the second female to be a member of the group and is the first member of African heritage, as well as the youngest to have ever joined, joining at age sixteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caterina Mete</span> Australian dancer, singer and choreographer

Caterina Mete is an Australian dancer, singer, choreographer and children's entertainer who is a member of the children's band the Wiggles.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Meet the next generation Wiggles". wiggletime.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  2. ↑ Birth date references:
  3. ↑ Lawson, Claudia. "Signing and Dancing with Emma Memma". Fjord Review. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  4. 1 2 Cuneo, Clementine (18 May 2012). "Emma Watkins is Ready, Willing, Able for The Wiggles". Herald Sun . Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  5. ↑ Sams, Christine (29 June 2014). "Emma Watkins may be known as the Yellow Wiggle but she also has a hip side". Daily Telegraph.
  6. ↑ Shedden, Iain (19 May 2012). "The Wiggles: Split the band, save the brand". The Australian. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  7. ↑ Tolin, Lisa (15 August 2013). "Newest Wiggle Inspires an Army of Wiggling Girls". Valley News . Associated Press. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  8. ↑ ABC Kids [@abckids] (31 May 2015). "Not long 'til @Emma_Wiggle teaches us a song about the corroboree frog and the sound it makes in her new show, Emma!" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 September 2015– via Twitter.
  9. 1 2 Cousins, Lucy E. (1 June 2021). "The Business of Being Emma Wiggle". T Magazine Australia. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Davies, Brynn. "Emma Watkins Joins smoothfm Weekend Line Up". smoothfm.au. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "Amy Shark, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, the McClymonts, Tones and I Lead Tribute to Legendary Helen Reddy". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 23 November 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Doyle, Michael (18 October 2021). "Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins quits, to be replaced by 15-year-old Tsehay Hawkins". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Knox, David (19 October 2021). "Emma Watkins to depart The Wiggles". TV Tonight . Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. 1 2 Jurewicz, Jade (22 May 2022). "Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins reveals new children's character will use sign language". Perth Now . Seven West Media. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Townsend, Kelly (13 July 2022). "Headspinner Partners With Former Wiggle Emma Watkins". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  16. ↑ "Former Wiggle Emma Watkins reveals new character, Emma Memma". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "Hello, Emma Memma by Emma Memma". www.penguin.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  18. ↑ Dalgliesh, Nehal (1 December 2022). "Emma Watkins to Release Her First "Emma Memma" Children's Book". CelebrityKind. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  19. ↑ Hello, Emma Memma. ASIN   1761341049.
  20. 1 2 "Former Wiggle Emma Watkins Revealed As Zombie On The Masked Singer". The Music. 16 August 2022.
  21. 1 2 Molk, Steve (15 August 2022). "Recap | Emma Wiggle revealed as Zombie on The Masked Singer Australia". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  22. 1 2 Knox, David (14 September 2022). "Upfronts 2023: Nine". TV Tonight. TV Tonight . Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  23. 1 2 Knox, David (11 November 2022). "Airdate: Lego Masters: Bricksmas Special 2022". TV Tonight. TV Tonight . Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  24. 1 2 Perry, Kevin (1 November 2022). "First Look: Tony Armstrong, Emma Watkins and Uncle Jack Charlies features in new ABC family adventure Reef School". TV Blackbox. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  25. ↑ "Emma Memma: How Are You?". Dymocks.
  26. ↑ "Emma Memma Sticker Activity Book". Dymocks.
  27. 1 2 "The Amazing Race Australia Celebrity Edition: Meet The 11 Teams". 10Play . 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  28. ↑ "Emma Memma's Alphabet Day by Emma Memma". www.penguin.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  29. ↑ Memma, Emma (10 October 2023). Emma Memma's Alphabet Day (1st ed.). Puffin. ISBN   978-1-76134-378-0.
  30. ↑ Memma, Emma (10 October 2023). Emma Memma Craft Book: Create fun craft, includes a green plane cardboard insert (1st ed.). Puffin. ISBN   978-1-76134-182-3.
  31. ↑ Ward, Mary (5 May 2015). "Purple Wiggle to marry Yellow Wiggle after weekend proposal". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  32. ↑ Domjen, Briana (9 April 2016). "Purple Wiggle Lachlan Gillespie and Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins tie the knot in royal-inspired wedding". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  33. ↑ Rota, Genevieve (3 August 2018). "The Wiggles' Emma and Lachy split after two years of marriage". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  34. ↑ Hassall, Greg (3 December 2018). "The show goes on for The Wiggles". ABC News . Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  35. ↑ "The Wiggles star Emma Watkins announces engagement to bandmate Oliver Brian". PerthNow . 5 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  36. ↑ "Emma Watkins stuns in new wedding photos: 'Radiant'". Yahoo . 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  38. ↑ "Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023". Music Feeds . 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  39. ↑ "King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards". Music Feeds . 4 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  40. ↑ "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music . 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  41. ↑ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds . 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  42. ↑ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  43. ↑ "2024 Finalists". Australian Women in Music. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  44. ↑ "Australian Women in Music Awards shine a light on women in the Australian music industry". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 3 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.