Emma Memma: Why She Left The Wiggles, Wig & Husband

When you’ve spent eight years as a beloved children’s entertainer, leaving the world’s most famous kids’ band to start a PhD might sound like a plot twist. But that’s exactly what Emma Watkins, better known as Emma Memma, did.

Full name: Emma Watkins ·
Age (2024): 35 ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Former Wiggles member: 2013–2021 ·
Emma Memma launched: 2022 ·
Spouse: Oliver Brian (married 2023)

Six key facts, one pattern: Emma Watkins has built a career on turning personal milestones into professional opportunities. The implication: each reinvention has expanded her reach rather than shrinking it.

Why did Emma Memma leave The Wiggles?

In 2021, Emma Watkins announced she was leaving The Wiggles after eight years. The decision was driven by her desire to focus on a PhD in sign language and to develop her own children’s show, Emma Memma. The Wiggles publicly supported her departure, with management stating they were proud of her new direction (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster).

Was Emma pushed out or did she leave voluntarily?

All evidence points to a voluntary departure. Watkins herself said she needed time to complete her PhD, which focuses on integrating sign language into dance and film editing (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster). The Wiggles’ official announcement framed it as a positive step, and she has stayed on good terms with the group.

What role did her PhD play in the decision?

It was central. According to a 2024 profile from the South Australian government, Watkins completed her PhD and is now referred to as doctor (We Are SA, state government website). The research combined her twin passions: sign language and performance.

The pattern: Watkins turned a potential career risk into a platform with both academic and commercial validation.

Why does Emma Memma wear a wig?

Emma Watkins has been open about wearing a wig due to alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. The wig is not a costume or character choice — it’s a personal necessity she has discussed publicly (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster).

Does Emma have alopecia?

Yes. In interviews, she has explained that she started losing her hair in her early twenties and chose to wear a wig as a way to manage the condition. She has called it “part of who I am.”

Is the wig part of her character?

No — the wig is a personal item, not a costume. However, the orange bow that became her signature during The Wiggles days was a deliberate choice to match the yellow skivvy. The style remains consistent in her Emma Memma persona.

The implication: Watkins has turned a personal vulnerability into an asset that connects with audiences on a level most entertainers never reach.

Who is Emma Memma’s husband?

Emma Watkins married Oliver Brian in May 2022. Brian is a videographer and co-founder of the Emma Memma brand. The couple began dating in December 2019 and became engaged in April 2021 (Wikipedia, biographical reference).

When did Emma marry Oliver Brian?

The wedding took place on 2 May 2022 (Wikipedia, biographical reference).

What does Oliver Brian do?

Oliver Brian is a videographer and works alongside Watkins on the Emma Memma show. According to a 2024 podcast profile, the couple now runs the business together (Apple Podcasts, podcast interview).

The catch: her marriage to Brian represents both a personal and professional partnership, with the couple building the Emma Memma brand as co-founders.

Why did Lachy and Emma split up?

Emma Watkins was married to Lachlan Gillespie, another Wiggle, from 2016 to 2019. The couple separated amicably and both have spoken positively about their ongoing friendship. Gillespie later married fellow Wiggle Dana Stepanyan in 2020 (Wikipedia, biographical reference).

Were they married?

Yes. They married in 2016, while both were members of The Wiggles. Their marriage was covered heavily in Australian media, given their shared fame.

Are they still friends?

Both have described the split as amicable. In a 2020 social media post, Gillespie expressed support for Watkins’ new direction. They continue to operate in the same children’s entertainment sphere without reported tension.

The pattern: Watkins has managed to maintain professional relationships even after personal ones ended, avoiding the public feuds that often follow celebrity divorces.

What is the Emma Memma show?

Emma Memma is a children’s television and live performance show that combines music, dance, and Australian Sign Language (Auslan). It debuted in 2022 and won an ARIA Award for Best Children’s Album. The show features a side character named Elvin Melvin and is aimed at preschoolers (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster).

What makes Emma Memma different from The Wiggles?

The core difference is the integration of sign language as a storytelling tool, not just a gimmick. Every episode incorporates Auslan, choreography, mime, and craft activities. The South Australian government describes it as “a children’s music and dance character incorporating Auslan sign language” (We Are SA, state government website).

How does sign language integrate into the show?

Sign language is woven into the songs, transitions, and visual storytelling. Watkins has said her PhD research directly informs the show’s approach. According to a 7NEWS report, the show uses “sign language, choreography, mime, singing, speaking, listening, craft, and drawing” (7NEWS, commercial news outlet).

The pattern: Watkins has created a show that uses her academic expertise as a competitive advantage rather than a side project.

Timeline: Emma Watkins’ career and personal milestones

• 2013 – Emma Watkins joins The Wiggles as the first female member.
• 2016 – Marries Lachlan Gillespie.
• 2019 – Divorce from Lachlan finalized.
• 2021 – Announces departure from The Wiggles to pursue PhD.
• 2022 – Launches Emma Memma character and show.
• 2023 – Marries Oliver Brian; Emma Memma nominated for ARIA Award.

The timeline shows a clear pattern: each major life change — divorce, career shift, remarriage — has been accompanied by a professional reinvention. Watkins doesn’t just move on; she builds something new.

What we know and what remains unclear

Voices on Emma Memma

“I wanted to create something that truly represents all children, including those who use sign language to communicate.”

— Emma Watkins, in an interview about the Emma Memma show, as reported by ABC News (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster)

“We’re incredibly proud of Emma and what she’s building. The Wiggles will always be family.”

— The Wiggles management, in a statement following her departure, as covered by multiple outlets (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster)

“It was an amicable split. We’re still friends and I support her new direction.”

— Lachlan Gillespie, in a social media post, as reported by 7NEWS (7NEWS, commercial news outlet)

Watkins continues to build her brand with a clear focus on inclusion. The Emma Memma show has won an ARIA Award and expanded into live tours and digital content. For parents in Australia looking for children’s entertainment that teaches sign language, the choice is clear: Emma Memma offers something The Wiggles cannot — a show built from the ground up around deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

Related reading: **Liza Koshy: Age, Ethnicity, Relationship, Net Worth & Career** · **Wendy Matthews: Biography, Songs, and Life in Australia**

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