Julia Roberts Knits Blankets for Emmy Rossum’s Kids and Calls Herself ‘Auntie Juju’
Julia Roberts Knits Blankets for Emmy Rossum’s Kids and Calls Herself ‘Auntie Juju’
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Angelique BrenesFri, October 23, 2026 at 4:02 AM UTC
Emmy Rossum; Julia RobertsCredit: Chris Delmas / AFP via Getty; Maya Dehlin Spach/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty -
Emmy Rossum is opening up about the bond between her children and Julia Roberts
In a Tuesday, Oct. 22 appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Rossum recalled the star playing Legos with her kids and knitting them personalized blankets
Roberts is longtime friends with Rossum’s husband, Sam Esmail, who has worked with the Oscar-winning actress on several projects
Julia Roberts has a special place in Emmy Rossum’s family, and it comes with a handmade touch.
The Pretty Woman star, 58, has spent time playing Legos with Rossum’s children and even knitted them their own personalized blankets, the Shameless actress, 40, revealed during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Speaking with host Jennifer Hudson, Rossum opened up about her relationship with Roberts, whose longtime professional collaboration with Rossum’s husband, Sam Esmail, has also brought them closer.
Emmy Rossum holding her childrenCredit: Emmy Rossum/Instagram
“He is very close with her, and she is such a kind person,” Rossum said of Esmail’s friendship with Roberts. “She is so down to earth. Doesn’t have an assistant.”
The actress went on to share a glimpse of Roberts’ thoughtful side, recalling how the Oscar winner has visited her home to spend time with her children.
“She has come to my house before and sat on the floor with my kids and done Legos,” Rossum said. “She has knitted them blankets, and she’s very crafty. And she has a little thing that she knits onto the blanket that says ‘From the Knitting Needles of Auntie Juju.’”
Esmail, 49, has previously spoken about Roberts’ down-to-earth nature. In 2023, he told PEOPLE that their friendship initially felt surreal because he had grown up watching her movies. Over time, however, he came to know her as someone who was grounded and generous.
“It’s hard to see her anything other than just this giving and generous mom and friend,” he said.
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Esmail, a filmmaker best known for creating the TV series Mr. Robot, has collaborated with Roberts on several projects, including the television series Homecoming and Gaslit and the 2023 Netflix thriller Leave the World Behind.
Emmy Rossum and husband director Sam Esmail attend Netflix’s “Leave The World Behind” premiereCredit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty
Rossum shares two children with Esmail, a daughter born in May 2021 and a son born in April 2023. The couple married in May 2017 after meeting while working together on the 2014 romantic comedy Comet, which Esmail wrote and directed and Rossum starred in.
The couple has largely kept their children out of the public eye, choosing to protect their privacy as they grow up. Still, Rossum has occasionally shared how motherhood has changed her perspective on life.
During a November 2024 appearance on the Today show, the actress described raising her children as an incredible journey and reflected on the responsibility of helping shape their future.
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“I love it, it’s incredible,” she said. “It’s such a journey ... a responsibility of figuring out what kind of world do we want to leave for our children. How do we help shape them and give them the tools to survive on their own? To be confident and to embrace their uniqueness?”
Rossum also credited her children with teaching her to approach life with greater generosity.
“Just generosity of spirit,” she said. “Realizing that these little tiny humans ... they need you.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
