Actress Emma Roberts married Cody John at his family's property in Idaho on Saturday, in a ceremony attended by stars including her aunt Julia Roberts, Kristen Stewart, and Demi Moore. However, Emma's father, actor Eric Roberts, was not present.
A source told the Daily Mail that Emma did not invite her father due to years of friction, stating she feels he was not a supportive father and was not present during her childhood. Eric Roberts, in a statement, said he loves his daughter and believes she should celebrate as she wishes. He admitted in a 2024 memoir, "Runaway Train," that he abandoned Emma as an infant and struggled with emotional unavailability and a drug problem, which he cited as a major factor in losing contact with his daughter. He also wrote that he was "not a father figure."
According to the source, Emma's mother, Kelly Cunningham, largely raised her, while Eric Roberts focused on his marriage to Eliza, whom he wed shortly after Emma's birth. The rift appears to have widened as Emma's acting career took off. A source suggested that when Emma achieved significant success as a young star in films like "Blow" and "Aquamarine," Eric became competitive, leading to further familial strain.
Despite Eric Roberts' reported apologies and attempts to reconcile in recent years, a source indicated that Emma has harbored negative feelings for over a decade and does not intend to forgive him. The father and daughter reportedly do not speak, and Eric does not see Emma's son, Rhodes.
Regarding Emma's aunt, Julia Roberts, a second source revealed that Julia maintained a "no help" policy regarding her niece's career, believing in independent success. However, the two have grown closer over the past 15 years, with Julia becoming more involved in family events. Julia Roberts was present at the wedding.
The relationship between Eric and Julia Roberts is also complex. The second source indicated that some tension stems from Eric discussing Julia's personal life with the press, which reportedly angered her. Eric Roberts has previously claimed in interviews that both he and Julia owe their celebrity status to him, though he later apologized for these remarks in his memoir, stating his sister would have succeeded on her own.
