In 2007, Emma Roberts debuted as the titular teen detective in the American mystery thriller Nancy Drew.
Emma Roberts as the young detective Nancy Drew, smiling from a vintage car during a scene from the 2007 mystery thriller (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Stunt Limitations Due to Age
Filming took place in Los Angeles between January 30, 2006, and April 3, 2006, when Julia Roberts’ niece was still too young to drive. Born on February 10, 1991, in Rhinebeck Village, Rhinebeck, New York, she had just turned 15 when the production began.
Because Emma only had a learner’s permit at the time, she was not allowed to drive alone during the car chase scenes.
“Every time I attempted to try my own stunts, everyone was like, ‘No. No. You’re not doing that,’” Roberts told The Los Angeles Times about not being able to do her out stunts.
“I didn’t do any of my own stunts, and I’ll admit it. The most stunt-y thing I did was dive onto a mat when a bomb exploded. Nothing too crazy-crazy.”
Emma Roberts as Nancy Drew, surrounded by clues and case files, wearing pajamas in a scene from the 2007 mystery thriller (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Reflections on Playing an Iconic Character
“I mean, Nancy Drew is such an iconic character and she’s a really, really great character that’s been around for decades so I read the script and I instantly clicked with it and loved the character and loved the whole storyline,” Emma told Collider in June 2007 about deciding to accept the part as Nancy Drew.
Emma Roberts’ Red Carpet Moments
When the film was released in theaters on June 15, 2007, 16-year-old Emma Roberts faced mixed reviews from film critics.
Emma Roberts dazzles in a chic black dress at the red carpet premiere of Nancy Drew on June 9, 2007, at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California (Credit: Apega / WENN)
Celebrating 10 Years of Nancy Drew
“How’s this for a #TBT?! 10 years ago @flittography and I did Nancy Drew together!!!” Emma wrote with a glasses-wearing emoji on Instagram in September 2016 to celebrate the film’s 10th anniversary.
She shared a side-by-side photo of her and her Nancy Drew co-star, Josh Flitter, who played Corky Veinshtein.
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After her breakout role as the teenage detective in Nancy Drew, Emma Roberts began to explore different fashion styles that reflected her evolving maturity. This shift became especially evident in her red carpet appearances, where she transitioned from her youthful, playful looks to a more sophisticated and edgy aesthetic.
A Shift in Style: From Teen to Gothic Glam
In March 2012, Nancy Drew actress Emma Roberts attended a cocktail party at the Smashbox Studios West in West Hollywood.
Emma Roberts exudes effortless elegance in a sheer embroidered top paired with a flowing black maxi skirt (Credit: Ryan / WENN)
For the British Fashion Council’s London Show Rooms L.A. opening cocktail party held at Smashbox Studios West, the Blow star wore an embroidered white pullover paired with a black maxi skirt from Jonathan Saunders.
This was not the first time we’d seen Emma in a black maxi skirt, but we noticed a change in her style from cute teen to more gothic glam. How do you like Emma’s sheer embroidered long-sleeve white crop top and the black maxi dress?
Emma Roberts looks stunning in a white embroidered sheer top paired with a black maxi skirt, accessorized with a sleek clutch at the British Fashion Council’s London Show Rooms L.A. opening cocktail party at Smashbox Studios on March 12, 2012, in West Hollywood, California (Credit: Ryan / WENN)
All women should own at least one black maxi skirt. We’ve even written a guide on how to wear a maxi dress if you’re petite.