‘We live together and work together’: Emma Watkins opens up about unique sister relationship

In an exclusive interview, former yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins and her sister Hayley open up about navigating fame and how they go working together.

They’re sisters, best friends and collaborators as children’s entertainers. Emma and Hayley Watkins reveal how they make their unique relationship thrive in the spotlight and how they handle fame, their creative differences and what inspires them most about each other.

Sisters Hayley and Emma Watkins are the ambassadors of a new FROZEN immersive experience coming to Westfield Chermside this month.

EMMA WATKINS, 35

What’s your favourite childhood memory together?

We would make up dances every weekend …. And, to be fair, I was making up the dances and teaching Hayley as my only “student”, she really didn’t have any choice. But in the end, we both loved dancing in the front yard and then showing our parents at the end of Sunday.

What was Hayley like growing up?

She loved going to acrobatics and the first time I went to watch her compete, it was winter, in a velodrome and I remember bringing my sleeping bag, being absolutely freezing but absolutely in awe of how good she was.

What’s one thing you admire most about Hayley?

She is a real go-getter and she gets me organised! I think I’m an organised person, but she really doesn’t procrastinate and that’s why we are a good team because she motivates me to actually do the things on my “to do list”.

What’s a quirky habit or ritual you have as a pair?

When we are apart, we send each other the worst selfies possible to make each other laugh.

How do you balance your personal and professional relationship?

It’s all in together! We live together and work together and to be honest, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Emma and Hayley Watkins when they were young girls.

What do you argue about the most (if anything?)

Packing! Hayley is so organised when she travels, everything has its place in a neat little packing cell. Meanwhile, I just toss it all in and hope for the best. I always know where everything is … but to Hayley, my suitcase is basically a lucky dip and a nightmare.

What’s something about Hayley that people might be surprised to know?

She is obsessed with board games and dinosaurs. If there was a Dinosaur Adventure escape room, she would do anything not to escape it.

How has Hayley influenced your creative choices and career?

Hayley manages all the consumer products and merchandising for Emma Memma, so she has this amazing ability to see the big picture when it comes to the brand from aesthetics to style. She’s constantly influencing me when it comes to fashion mostly because she’s actually my unofficial wardrobe stylist. She just knows what works – instinctively, effortlessly, every time.

Can you share a funny/embarrassing sister moment?

OK … hang in there …. We went to a theatre show somewhere and at intermission we went to the bathroom where there was a HUGE line. Hayley went first and unfortunately there was no toilet paper in the cubicle next to her, so she passed it under the door and it fell out of her hand and rolled across the entire bathroom as I watched with the crowd. I was so embarrassed for her, I left the bathroom – suddenly I pretended I wasn’t her sister and I didn’t need to go to the toilet any more. Sorry Hayley.

Emma and Hayley Watkins when they were little girls

Favourite family tradition?

When we were spending more time at home, we had a little Sunday tradition, reading the quiz in the paper over brekkie with our family. Hayley was always the quiz master, a role she’s proudly held for decades. It started back when she had trouble reading at school, so it became her special job and she still takes it very seriously!

Best thing about having your sister on tour with you?

Everything. People love meeting Hayley at the Emma Memma merch desk, she is amazing with people and the children love to meet her because she is always so fun in the foyer, hyping the crowd before they go into the theatre.

And most challenging?

The load out! Because Hayley needs to pack her merch meticulously and I never quite pack it right.

How does Hayley inspire you?

She’s calm in the chaos, wildly creative, and somehow always knows the exact thing to say (or meme to send) when I need it. She makes life feel softer and brighter – like your favourite person and your favourite playlist rolled into one.

Outside of work and touring, how much do you get to see each other? EVERY DAY. Which is a lovely change, because when I was on tour with The Wiggles we didn’t see each other much. Now, we get to work together and build our company, sharing music and dance with children all around the country. We’re so excited to be coming to Brisbane to celebrate Frozen at Westfield Chermside this month!

How do you support each other when things get overwhelming?

I think it’s easy to get overwhelmed initially about all sorts of situations, but talking it out with each other instantly changes the energy, it reminds us we’re not alone, we can figure it out together and the problem is not worth the fuss.

What is the biggest strength of your relationship?

We have a weird telepathic-sister intuition. We genuinely know what each other is thinking with just the slightest facial expression.

Emma and Hayley Watkins are best friends and sisters as they open up about their unique relationship.

HAYLEY WATKINS, 31

Favourite childhood memory together?

When we were little there was a little nook in our house where we would put pillows and blankets and have sleepovers before Easter. And I used to love hanging out there and staying up with Emma getting ready for the big Easter egg hunt the next day!

What was Emma like growing up?

An immediate overachiever. She was always teaching me things, dance routines, school subjects, she was absolutely non-stop.

Have you always been close?

Yes we have! Even though we are very different in personality and have different hobbies, we have always been besties.

What’s one thing you admire most about Emma?

Her determination and drive. If she wants to do something she will make it happen.

How do you handle creative disagreements?

Emma and I have a very telepathic sister connection. So, we are normally on the same page or can look at each other and know what’s the right decision.

What was your biggest sibling rivalry growing up – and now (if there is one?)

I always loved trophies, but since Emma is an overachiever, she had SO MANY trophies growing up, I could never keep up. There was one dance competition that I went to watch Emma and mum felt sorry for me, so she bought me a trophy that said “Most supportive sister”.

How do you celebrate each other’s wins?

I think I am Emma’s biggest hype girl! If she has a win (which there are many) I normally always bring her chocolate, or we go out for a Nutella crepe!

How does Emma’s fame impact your relationship?

Honestly, I forget about it most of the time. Emma is so down to earth and present that it’s easy to just see her as my sister. I think, if anything, it’s brought us closer. I’ve always been someone she can trust and turn to, and that’s made our relationship really strong.

People would be familiar with your work with Emma, but what are the career highlights you’re most proud of prior to working with your sister?

I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved in my acting and modelling career. I’ve had the chance to work with some incredible brands, one highlight was shooting a Kathmandu campaign in Cuba, which was such a special experience. Straight out of school, I also toured with Brainstorm Productions for two years, performing shows about bullying and mental health in primary and high schools all across Australia.

Emma and Hayley Watkins on their unique relationship.

Can you share a funny/embarrassing sister moment?

I almost can’t pick a time as it happens daily with us. We are constantly embarrassing ourselves and laughing at each other.

What’s something about Emma people would be surprised to know?

She is someone who must have her shirt tucked into her pants and her pants tucked into her socks before she goes to sleep. No draughts.

Favourite thing to do together? (outside of work)

Go on adventures! One of our favourites was an incredible trip to Disney World in Florida – we laughed the whole time and felt like kids again.

How do you both support each other when times are tough?

To be honest, since doing The Amazing Race together nothing has ever been as challenging. We find the time to talk to each other and chat things through with chocolate.

What is your most meaningful or sentimental moment together?

I think winning The Amazing Race together has to be a standout. After working so hard, pushing through tough challenges, and constantly cheering each other on, being able to win the prize for Deaf Connect made it all the more meaningful. It was such a special moment to share.

Join Emma and Hayley Watkins, Friends of Frozen, for the opening of the Australian debut of Disney’s FROZEN Light Show: a breathtaking light projection show under the dome at Westfield Chermside on June 26-July 6. More information here.