The Incredible Transformation Of Emma Kenney From A Troubled Child Star To A Certified Celebrity

Emma Kenney certainly wasn't one of those child actors that was born into a famous family and had everything at their disposal. What Emma did have though was an impressive knack for acting, and an award-winning personality.

Just like many child stars, Emma has had to deal with a tough industry, her own vices, and finding a light at the end of the tunnel. Read on to see how a normal girl from New York landed the role of a lifetime, and all the consequences that came with it.

Humble Roots

@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram

On September 14, 1999, Emma Rose Kenney was born in Manhattan, New York. Her mother was a criminal defense lawyer, and her father was a sports writer.

Neither of her parents ever expected they would raise a daughter who would find her love of acting in just a few years.

ADVERTISEMENT

Developing A Love Of Acting

ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

It wasn't long before little Emma realized her calling in life. As young as three, she was already pretending her stuffed toys were "real" and would use them to act out scenes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Her parents weren't oblivious to this love for show business, and quickly enrolled her in acting and improv lessons. It was in these lessons that Emma would catch her first major break.

ADVERTISEMENT

Catching An Agent's Eye

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Acting school taught Emma that 90% of first auditions are rejected, but Emma was never average. The first audition she had at her acting school led to an agent wanting to sign her.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma might have only been seven years old, but she was already oozing confidence and skill. The agent offered her a contract that very day.

ADVERTISEMENT

Starting In Advertising

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Andy Kropa/WireImage/Getty Images
Andy Kropa/WireImage/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The first year of Emma's acting contract was primarily focussed in advertising. She appeared in three commercials that ran nationwide for Scholastic Books, as well as voice-overs for other commercials.

ADVERTISEMENT

This start in advertising was fun for Emma, but already she had her eye on a larger prize — starring in movies and television.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Long Road Ahead

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Amanda Edwards/WireImage/Getty Images
Amanda Edwards/WireImage/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Even though Emma's aspiration was to work in television and film, she quickly learned that it wouldn't be that easy. Emma was stuck working in advertising for another two years. While this might discourage other nine-year-olds, it inspired Emma even further.

ADVERTISEMENT

She met and hired a new manager, Maggie Schuster, and started out on the road to stardom.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trying New Things

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Under Maggie's advice, Emma began to branch out from commercials and try new things. She began to appear in student films. Being on a movie set allowed Emma to learn the basics of directing, producing, and even script-writing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Script-writing would become a passion for her later on in life. Since her first introduction to it, she has written over fifty scripts.

ADVERTISEMENT

The (Small) Big Screen Debut

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Maury Phillips/WireImage/Getty Images
Maury Phillips/WireImage/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2008, Emma got her wish and finally made her nationwide silver screen debut in the short film Lyre Liar. That same year, she worked on two other short films.

ADVERTISEMENT

One year later, Emma landed roles in two different straight-to-television films. The success might have seemed small, but it proved to Emma and her parents that she had a real knack for the business.

ADVERTISEMENT

Breaking Records And Taking Names

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Her love of directing and script-writing came in handy in 2009. One of the short films she wrote and directed, The New Girl In Town, was nominated for the New Jersey International Film Festival.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although it didn't win, she did break records for being the youngest film director to be nominated in the festival's history.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Audition Of Her Life

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Emma was only twelve years old when her manager suggested she audition for the role of Debbie Gallagher in a new show called Shameless. Before this audition, Emma had kept to auditioning in New York.

ADVERTISEMENT

The family took a chance and flew out to Los Angeles to audition for the part. Well, the risk paid off and Emma landed the part.

ADVERTISEMENT

Starring On The Small Screen

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Showtime/MovieStillsDB
Showtime/MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

Even though Shameless was the first major television set Emma had ever been on, she felt completely at home. She even talked about her cast as a "second family" to her.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma's mom agreed that the rest of the cast were supportive and important to Emma's development as an actor. The other actors had no problem sharing their experience because they knew Emma had a bright future.

ADVERTISEMENT

Living The Famous Lifestyle

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Shameless became a huge hit in America for depicting the struggles that lower-class working families go through. It didn't take long for Emma and her character to become a household name. Soon, she was being recognized everywhere she went.

ADVERTISEMENT

The audience got to watch Emma grow up right in front of their eyes for eight years, but what was growing up really like for Emma?

ADVERTISEMENT

Trying To Live A Normal Life

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Showtime/MovieStillsDB
Showtime/MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

Like many other child stars, Emma had to balance school and acting. Emma had a personal tutor while she was on set from July to October.

ADVERTISEMENT

For the rest of the year, she attended public school and tried to fit in with her friends. This was even harder because her family had been split up. Her mother stayed in New York to work, and her dad had to quit his job to live with Emma in L.A.

ADVERTISEMENT

Growing Up On Shameless

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Showtime/MovieStillsDB
Showtime/MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

Shameless was beloved by American families because it never shied away from hard or difficult topics, but that wasn't easy to do when you have kids on set. Emma's father had to keep a close eye on what she was exposed to while on set.

ADVERTISEMENT

All the worrying was for nothing though. The show and producers handled everything appropriately and never put Emma in a vulnerable position.

ADVERTISEMENT

Life Beyond Shameless

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

While Emma has always been grateful for Shameless giving her the big break she wanted, she still wanted to try other things. Emma began working on other projects from 2011-2016 while filming Shameless.

ADVERTISEMENT

She also announced in numerous interviews that her experience on the television show made her want to try even more new things. Luckily, another big break was right around the corner.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Return Of Roseanne

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Emma's next big role would be on the 2018 reboot of the classic American sitcom, Roseanne. Emma played Roseanne's granddaughter, Harris Conner-Healy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Just like with Shameless, Emma was immediately loved by the American public. Unfortunately, the show was abruptly canceled after offensive comments from the show's star, Roseanne Barr. The cancelation crushed Emma and she wished for a second chance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Welcoming The Conners

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ABC/MovieStillsDB
ABC/MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

The cancellation of Roseanne crushed not only Emma but also the entire cast of the reboot. They were all excited for another chapter of an iconic American sitcom, and it felt unjust that one person's actions could hurt everyone.

ADVERTISEMENT

The studio agreed and decided to create a new show, The Conners, that would bring back the entire cast without Roseanne Barr.

ADVERTISEMENT

Keeping Busy Outside Of Television

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

One of the ways Emma has managed to keep her fans engaged all these years is that she's a Gen Z actress who is no stranger to social media. She has a large following of over 1.5 million fans on Instagram.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma loves her fans so much she calls them her "cyber family."

ADVERTISEMENT

Growing Up On TV And Online

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

It may have felt like Emma grew up before our eyes on Shameless, but she's truly grown up online.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma uses her Instagram account and large fanbase to share very "grown-up" photos of herself, as well as share pieces of wisdom and knowledge that she's learned over the years.

ADVERTISEMENT

Traveling Down A Slippery Slope

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

In April 2018, Emma shocked the public by entering into treatment for substance abuse. She spoke out about being "naive and very immature." She even admitted that she was "running with a really fast crowd."

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma might have ended up in the wrong crowd, but she was smart enough to know that fixing the problem early would help her in the long run.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fans Standing By Her Side

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Emma was lucky enough to receive love and support from her cast members, friends, and family. She completed treatment in time to see the premiere of her new show, The Conners.

ADVERTISEMENT

The debut of The Conners on ABC reached 35% fewer audience members, but critics once again raved about Emma's performance. It seemed like a bump in the road wasn't going to stop Emma.

ADVERTISEMENT

Feeling Good Again

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

After completing treatment in the summer on 2018, Emma took a break from filming and social media to come back down the reality. This break was much-needed for Emma, but the workaholic was happy to get back to her old routine.

ADVERTISEMENT

She said that after her treatment, she had "never felt this good before" and she hoped it would show in her acting.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dealing With Insecurities

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Looking back on how she fell into the wrong crowd, Emma said that despite the fame, she felt extremely insecure and not exactly "comfortable" at the time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma admitted that even though those days aren't that long ago, she wants to put it in the past and move forward with her newfound confidence.

ADVERTISEMENT

Becoming A Role Model

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Greg Doherty/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Greg Doherty/FilmMagic/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Emma stood out from other former child stars by dealing with these troubles in an open and honest way. She shared her struggles and journey with her "cyber family" and encouraged them to seek help like her if they needed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma doubled down by saying that going to get help for your struggles "doesn't make you weak" but it shows how strong you truly are.

ADVERTISEMENT

Finding A Passion In Animal Activism

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

It might seem like all of Emma's time is spent on various television sets, but she makes sure to leave room for her true passion — animal activism. Emma often uses her platform to advocate for animal rights.

ADVERTISEMENT

She's an official spokesperson for PETA and has never been afraid to say that if someone wants to "look fresh" then they shouldn't be wearing a dead animal.

ADVERTISEMENT

An Old Soul At Heart

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Despite getting caught up in the fast crowd, Emma admits that she feels like an old soul in comparison to her friends. Emma admits that sometimes she feels like she's "literally a grandma."

ADVERTISEMENT

When her friends want to go out and party, she'd rather stay at home and hang out watching television.

ADVERTISEMENT

All About Being Real

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Since she's such an "old soul," Emma has no problem showing off that side to her fans. While most celebrities perfectly curate every Instagram post, she shares her daily activities whether they're glamorous or not.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can usually expect a post or two of her hanging out around her house in baggy clothes. It's no wonder so many fans connect with Emma.

ADVERTISEMENT

What Does The Future Hold?

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Although Shameless is currently on its ninth season, there are rumors that the show will soon be ending. Two frontrunners of the show, Cameron Monaghan and Emmy Rossum, have announced they will be leaving the show.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fans are divided on whether or not they want the show to continue with new cast members, or if it should be canceled during its prime.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma's Time To Shine

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Many people speculate that if Shameless doesn't end, that it might be Emma's even bigger break. Her character is older now and might be able to step into the gaping hole that will be left by Emmy Rossum's departure.

ADVERTISEMENT

While no one knows what the future holds with Shameless, there are more opportunities waiting for Emma.

ADVERTISEMENT

Still Young And Fresh

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
@emmakenner/Instagram
@emmakenner/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

Emma might have grown up before our eyes in the role of Debbie Gallagher, and she might post more "grown up" photos on Instagram, but we should all remember just how young she still is.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma is only nineteen years old and still has more growing up to do. It's important for her fans to remember she's still learning and experiencing life.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not The Last We'll See Of Emma

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Extra
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Extra
ADVERTISEMENT

Although the future is uncertain, it's obvious that Emma has a bright future ahead of her. Being a child star usually means you run the risk of getting into trouble and disappearing from the spotlight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emma's strength and ability to overcome the challenges life has thrown at her so far proves she won't go down without a fight.