Twins Who Starred as Ross and Rachel’s Baby on Friends Share Their Experience
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Twins-Who-Played-Ross-and-Rachels-Baby-on-Friends-Are-All-Grown-Up-070125-3262e050e08e4908ae4d6fc7ac288069.jpg)
Athena and Alexandra Conley, the twins who portrayed Ross and Rachel’s daughter Emma on the iconic TV show Friends, recently opened up about their time on the set in an exclusive interview. The Conley sisters, who were cast in the role at just 6 months old, reminisced about their brief but memorable stint on the popular show.
The story of how the twins landed the role is quite intriguing. According to Athena, their mother’s friend from a twins club informed them about a Friends audition happening locally. Living in Long Beach, California, where Hollywood auditions were common, the twins’ mother decided to take them to the audition. Athena recalls the casting process, saying, “We just went, and I guess there were a bunch of twins there, and we all had photos. They took us to the back room, and then the casting directors informed us on the spot that we had secured the part.”
Athena and Alexandra appeared in 10 episodes of Friends before being replaced due to typical baby behavior – crying. Alexandra shared a funny anecdote, revealing, “They ended up replacing us because I cried too much.” This led to a necessary change as per child labor laws, requiring a new pair of twins to take over after season 9.
Despite their short-lived acting experience on Friends, the Conley twins have fond memories of their time on set. Athena mentioned that their filming schedule consisted of one day per week, with their family accompanying them to the set. She expressed her mother’s excitement, stating, “My mom was happy to go because, I mean, it was Friends — the most iconic show.”
After graduating from college in 2024, Athena now resides in Denver, working as an investment control reconciler and a part-time cheerleader for the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, Alexandra lives in Los Angeles and has a career in social media and marketing for a beauty brand.
The twins recently shared a video on TikTok revealing their former role on Friends, which garnered significant attention. Despite growing up aware of their involvement in the show, the magnitude of being part of such a beloved series only hit them later in life. Alexandra mentioned, “I didn’t really know what that meant until maybe middle school or early high school. It’s crazy to watch the show now and see ourselves.”
While they haven’t stayed in touch with the Friends cast, the sisters still hold the show in high regard. They appreciate the relatable nature of the characters, which creates a sense of inclusion for the audience. Alexandra expressed her love for the show, saying, “It’s one of my favorite shows ever. Every time I watch it, I’m just dying laughing.”
In conclusion, Athena and Alexandra Conley’s journey as child actors on Friends may have been short-lived, but the impact of their roles on such an iconic show is undeniable. Their story serves as a reminder of the lasting influence of Friends and the special place it holds in the hearts of fans worldwide.