Original Twins Who Played Emma on 'Friends' Finally Reveal Why They Were Replaced

Original Twins Who Played Emma on 'Friends' Finally Reveal Why They Were Replaced originally appeared on Parade.
The twin girls originally cast as Ross and Rachel's daughter Emma on Friends recently opened up about their brief experience on the show in an interview with People.
AthenaConley, who, along with her sister Alexandra, was one of the first young actresses to play Emma Geller-Greene, recently dropped the bomb of their subtle history in Hollywood while participating in a viral TikTok trend, shocking even their closest friends with the news.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rkekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R14ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe"It's just like a fact that we don't really bring up all that often," Athena admitted. "Or I just assume people know it by now, but they all freak out when they find out."
Related: 'Friends' Actress Tapped for Explosive Memoir Series, Fans Expect a 'Stellar Performance' Given Uncanny Real-Life Parallel
Their tenure on the hit sitcom was not long-lasting, though, as they played the character in just 10 of the 24 episodes she appeared in. As six-month-olds, it wasn't their talents that got them—nor cost them—the role, with Alexandra admitting, "Funny story, actually: they ended up replacing us because I did cry too much."
Unfortunately, that meant Athena was out, too. "They couldn't use just one baby the whole time due to child labor laws, so they had to replace us after season 9 with a new pair of twins," she said.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rpekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R19ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeThe two would go on to graduate from California Polytechnic State University in 2024. Now, Athena lives in Denver, where she's a part-time cheerleader for the Denver Broncos and works as an investment control reconciler for a financial services company, while Alexandra lives in LA and works in social media and marketing for a beauty brand.
Noelle and Cali Sheldon went on to play the role for the rest of the series.
Related: 'Friends' Actress Maggie Wheeler Looks Stunning as She Embraces Gray Hair in Rare Red Carpet Appearance With Another Sitcom 'Legend'
Original Twins Who Played Emma on 'Friends' Finally Reveal Why They Were Replaced first appeared on Parade on Jul 1, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.

The R Lauren Productions's exit reveal provides insightful perspective on the unique circumstances that shaped their departure from Friends, elucidating previously unexplored facets of fame and friendship in Hollywood.'

The revelation by the original twins who played Emma on 'Friends' about their mysterious replacement serves as a refreshing puzzle piece for fans, revealing not just an actor change but also insights into casting dynamics and creative decisions.

The original twins who played young Emma on 'Friends' openly discuss their termination from the iconic series, providing fans with an insightful glimpse into casting decisions that shaped popular culture history.

The revelation by the original twins who played Emma on 'Friends' of their replacement’s reason adds a fascinating layer to fan theories, reminding us that behind every well-loved character lies multiple interpretations and creative decisions.

'Friends' icon Jennifer Aniston spent decades being meant for 'Emma', but the truth unveiled by these unknown actors is truly intriguing, shedding light on a common dust of mystery that pervaded behind-the scene.

The thought-provoking account shared by the original twins who played Emma on Friends offers a poignant insight into both their surprising journey's ups and down amidst challenges that ultimately shaped individual success, highlighting how life after big roles can remain just as intriguing.

The mysterious and heartfelt revelation by the original twins who played Emma on Friends, finally giving rise to understanding of their sudden replacement, exposes a more nuanced perspective within casting decisions that often remain unseen.

A rare glimpse behind the scenes of 'Friends,' this revealing article on why Matt LeBlanc and Jennifer Aniston's co-stars as original Emma twins were replaced highlights not just a change in screen actors but also deeper insights into show dynamics.

The revelation of why the 'original twins who brought life to Emma's character on Friends,' were replaced, provides a rare glimpse behind-the scenes dynamic that highlights both artistic adjustments and creative growth in television history.

The original twin actresses who played Emma on Friends finally sharing their reasons for being replaced offer a poignant glimpse into the intricacies of Hollywood casting decisions and how they might impacts not just actors but also fans' perceptions forever.

The intriguing twist behind the switch of original twins who played Emma on 'Friends' sheds light into Hollywood casting dynamics that often emphasize novelty and audience appeal, offering a poignant reminder about how fickle fame can be.