Emma Chamberlain, the 25-year-old influencer, entrepreneur, and podcast host, is stepping into a significant new chapter in her career, marked by her recent hiatus from the digital world and the launch of her first standalone coffee café in Los Angeles. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Chamberlain shares insights about her latest venture, reflecting on how her break from social media enabled her to embrace this new phase.
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Chamberlain is not a newcomer to the coffee scene; her brand, Chamberlain Coffee, was established in 2019, and this café represents a deeply personal endeavor. Drawing inspiration from her own home’s design, the café is intended to embody the welcoming and inspiring atmosphere that she cherishes. For Chamberlain, coffee drinking is a long-standing passion cultivated during her teenage years, where it became an integral part of her daily routine as she juggled schoolwork and late-night study sessions.
Despite the excitement that comes with opening a physical location, Chamberlain’s recent decision to step back from her podcast, “Anything Goes,” was equally significant. Announced in a heartfelt episode last April, she described the news as “bittersweet.” It marked a departure from the regular content she has provided her listeners over the past eight years. Initially, she felt apprehensive about taking a break, but this pause allowed her to step back and reflect on her creative process.
The result of this time away has been transformative for Chamberlain. She described her experience as a “psychological blossoming,” which she believes is the key to sparking new ideas. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt more inspired, and I have so many amazing ideas for ways to entertain my fabulous audience,” she told PEOPLE. The influencer acknowledged that constant productivity leaves little room for innovation, and this insight has allowed her to rethink her creative approach.
Chamberlain’s re-entry into the public eye has also been marked by her recent role as Vogue’s red carpet correspondent at the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s event was particularly significant for her, as she felt that her outfit truly represented her essence. “I feel like it was the most me I’ve ever felt on a carpet in my entire life,” she remarked, highlighting the deep connection between her attire and her personal identity.
Looking ahead, Chamberlain is keen on focusing her efforts on Chamberlain Coffee. The café’s grand opening in Los Angeles is a culmination of years of planning and vision. “This is our first real brick and mortar traditional sort of café space,” she explained. The venture has been a dream of hers, and with the support of her design team, the indoor ambience reflects elements of her own home, creating a cohesive experience for visitors.
The aesthetic choices made in the café development have been a source of joy for Chamberlain. She expressed her enthusiasm for the collaborative process with her design team, noting how elements from her home, such as textiles, have been incorporated into the café. She stated, “It was really fun to work with them and get to take elements of my home and put it in the café.”
As she embarks on this exciting new venture, Chamberlain’s journey underscores the importance of taking time for oneself in order to nurture creativity and innovation. With her café open and a renewed sense of inspiration, she remains dedicated to providing her audiences with meaningful engagement, promising that what she has in store will be well worth the wait.
In a landscape where continuous content generation is expected, Chamberlain’s decision to pause and reflect may serve as a reminder of the value of stepping back. Her journey is not just about coffee; it reflects an evolution of her brand and self. As she continues to explore this new era, fans and followers alike will undoubtedly be eager to see what Chamberlain has planned next.