Emma Chamberlain has made a name for herself as one of the most recognizable content creators of her generation, but now she’s stepping into a new spotlight — and she’s doing it on her own terms.
The YouTuber and social media star recently discussed her first foray into acting following her role in Forbidden Fruits, which premiered on March 27. While Chamberlain said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience, she made it clear she’s not looking to carry an entire film just yet.
Why Emma Chamberlain’s Starting Small in the World of Acting — on Purpose
“I didn’t want to go into anything and be the lead,” she said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 12, adding she felt that would be “too much pressure.”
Instead, Chamberlain plays a character named Pickle in the film, a part she described as the “perfect-sized” role for her entry into the world of acting.
The approach reflects a deliberate strategy: ease into the craft without the weight of an entire production resting on her shoulders.
Inside ‘Forbidden Fruits’ and Emma Chamberlain’s Character
Forbidden Fruits features an ensemble cast that includes Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Alexandra Shipp and Victoria Pedretti.
In the film, Reinhart plays Apple, a retail worker who secretly leads a cult with coworkers Cherry and Fig. “But when new-hire Pumpkin (Tung) challenges their performative sisterhood, the women are forced to face their own poisons or succumb to a bloody fate,” according to the film synopsis.
Chamberlain’s character, Pickle, fits into this darkly comedic world — a tone that aligns with the kind of projects she says she wants to pursue moving forward.
For someone best known for vlog-style content and viral Met Gala interviews, the transition to a scripted feature film might seem like a leap. But Chamberlain said the experience exceeded her expectations.
“Playing a character is something I really enjoyed more than I expected,” she said on The Tonight Show. “No one, including me, really anticipated enjoying it to the extent that I did.”
That enthusiasm has clearly sparked something. Chamberlain isn’t just open to more acting — she already has a vision for the types of roles and projects she’d love to take on.
What’s Next for Emma Chamberlain? Is It More Acting?
When it comes to future projects, Chamberlain has her sights set on distinctive filmmakers and offbeat characters. She said she is interested in roles in films by directors such as Wes Anderson and Tim Burton, particularly in “weird, indie” or darker-themed projects.
“For me, anything in a Wes Anderson film, anything in a Tim Burton, a creepy Tim Burton movie,” she told People Magazine.
She cited films including Coraline, Napoleon Dynamite, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom as favorites — a list that paints a clear picture of the quirky, stylized storytelling she gravitates toward.
As for the kinds of characters she’d like to play, Chamberlain didn’t hold back.
“Being some sort of nerdy character or being a b****, being a full-on mean girl vibe, that would be so fun to me,” she told the outlet. “But I also love haunted vibes, so a Tim Burton-y thing could be awesome, too.”
