Emma Watkins: Why She Left The Wiggles and Her New Life

When a beloved children’s entertainer steps away from a global phenomenon, fans naturally wonder why. Emma Watkins—the first female member of The Wiggles—did exactly that in 2021 after eight years as the Yellow Wiggle. Her journey since then has been anything but quiet: a PhD in sign language, a new show called Emma Memma, and a growing family.

Age: 34 years (born Sept 16, 1989) ·
Years as a Wiggle: 8 (2013–2021) ·
Marital status: Married to Oliver Brian (since 2022) ·
Children: One daughter (born 2023) ·
Net worth (estimated): ~$3 million

The key biographical details below trace her professional and personal milestones.

The implication: these facts frame a career that moved from global touring to academic research and independent creation.

Why is Emma no longer a Wiggle?

Departure from The Wiggles in 2021

After eight years as the first female member of The Wiggles (Wikipedia profile), Emma Watkins announced her departure in October 2021. The official statement cited her desire to focus on postgraduate studies and independent creative projects.

• She was the Yellow Wiggle from 2013 to 2021 (Wikipedia)
• Her decision came after the pandemic prompted more time with family (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))

Reasons for leaving

ABC News reported that Watkins said her work on a PhD incorporating sign language, dance, and film editing was a major factor. She wanted to “explore her own creativity.” She remains a director of the Wiggles company, holding an 8% stake.

The implication: leaving the group didn’t mean leaving the brand; she maintains a financial interest while charting her own path.

Are Emma and Oliver still together?

Marriage to Oliver Brian

Emma Watkins married Oliver Brian in April 2022. The couple lives in Sydney. Brian is a musician and producer who has collaborated with her on Emma Memma projects.

• Wedding took place in April 2022 (confirmed by multiple outlets)
• They have one daughter, born in 2023 (Wikipedia)

Wedding in 2022

The wedding was private, but photos were shared on Emma’s Instagram (official account). The couple remains together as of 2025. No reports of separation.

What this means: her personal life has stabilized after her 2019 divorce from Lachlan Gillespie, and she now balances family with a growing media career.

Has Emma Watkins had a baby?

Daughter born in 2023

Yes, Emma gave birth to a daughter in 2023. The father is Oliver Brian. The child’s name has not been publicly shared, and Watkins keeps family life relatively private.

• Birth year 2023 confirmed in biographical profiles (Wikipedia)
• She has mentioned motherhood in interviews, describing it as “joyful”

Family life

Watkins and Brian live in Sydney. She continues to produce content for Emma Memma while raising their daughter. No further children have been reported.

The pattern: she has built a family unit that supports her creative and academic work, unlike her previous marriage to a fellow Wiggle.

What is Emma from the Wiggles doing?

Emma Memma new show

In 2022, Watkins debuted Emma Memma (Wikipedia), a children’s entertainment character and show that incorporates Auslan (Australian Sign Language). The first album, released in September 2022, won the ARIA Award for Best Children’s Album in 2023.

• First solo album September 2022 (Wikipedia)
• ARIA Award winner 2023
• Features deaf co-performer Elvin (YouTube interview description)

Doctorate in sign language

Watkins earned a PhD in sign language from Macquarie University in Sydney. Her research focused on integrating sign language, dance, and film editing. She also holds a Diploma of Auslan from The Deaf Society NSW (specialist training provider) and a Master of Media Arts and Communication from UTS.

Advocacy work

She has been an ambassador for the deaf community (McDonald College profile). Her Emma Memma platform explicitly aims to make children’s entertainment inclusive for deaf and hearing audiences alike.

Why this matters: she is not just a former Wiggle; she is actively shaping a more accessible entertainment landscape for Australian children.

Why did Emma and Lachy separate?

Marriage to Lachlan Gillespie (2016–2019)

Emma married fellow Wiggle Lachlan Gillespie (Lachy) in 2016. The couple announced their separation in 2019. They had no children together.

• Married 2016 (Wikipedia)
• Separated 2019
• Remain friends and professional colleagues—both still involved with The Wiggles company

Reason for separation

The exact reason has not been publicly detailed. Both have spoken about the difficulty of balancing a marriage within the same touring group. Nonetheless, they continue to share a professional connection as directors of the Wiggles entity.

The trade-off: marrying a bandmate can intensify pressures; their separation was amicable but led to completely different life paths.

Timeline of key events

• 2013: Joined The Wiggles as first female member, Yellow Wiggle
• 2016: Married Lachlan Gillespie
• 2019: Separated from Lachlan Gillespie
• 2021: Left The Wiggles (ABC News)
• 2022: Launched Emma Memma; married Oliver Brian
• 2023: Earned PhD in sign language; gave birth to daughter (Wikipedia)

“I wanted to explore my own creativity and use my background in sign language.”

— Emma Watkins, Australian Women’s Weekly via ABC News (2022)

“It’s about bringing music and sign language together for all children.”

— Emma Watkins, The Sydney Morning Herald (2023)

For parents and fans in Australia, the choice is clear: Emma Watkins is no longer just the Yellow Wiggle. She’s a PhD-educated creator building a legacy that combines children’s entertainment with real accessibility. Bottom line: Emma Watkins transformed her Wiggle fame into a platform for inclusive communication, and her new show Emma Memma is the result.

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