How Emma Roberts Became Chanel Oberlin—and the Iconic Shoes That Defined Her Scream Queens Era

After an already illustrious young career, spanning starring roles in the Nickelodeon sitcom Unfabulous and the 2007 film adaptation of Nancy Drew, Emma Roberts was the go-to performer for playing precocious teens by the time Ryan Murphy cast her in American Horror Story: Coven in 2013.

Red Carpet Transformation: Emma Roberts Channels a Darker Edge in Burberry and Elie Saab

That darker edge began surfacing on the red carpet, too. At the Scream 4 world premiere, Roberts left behind her girl-next-door image in a structured cobalt-blue Burberry mini dress paired with bold black Elie Saab platform sandals.

The look, finished with a Cecelia bag and Carla Amorim jewelry, hinted at the more daring persona she was about to embrace on screen.

Emma Roberts in a Burberry dress, Elie Saab shoes, a Cecelia bag, and Carla Amorim jewelry at the World Premiere of “Scream 4” at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater on April 11, 2011, in Hollywood, California (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)

From Indie Darling to Cult Horror Queen

Roberts moved toward more mature roles with indie dramedies like It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010) and Adult World (2013). Her breakout horror turn came in 2011’s Scream 4, where she leaned into camp with a self-aware edge.

That performance caught the eye of American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy, who cast her as Madison Montgomery in Coven. Sarcastic, manipulative, and secretly telekinetic, Roberts’ party-girl witch became a fan favorite—even after being killed off twice and resurrected just to deliver more of her razor-sharp one-liners.

Emma Roberts channels vintage elegance as fortune teller Maggie Esmerelda in American Horror Story: Freak Show—styled in a textured sage knit top, retro hat with ribbon trim, and a tapestry handbag that captures the show’s 1950s-inspired aesthetic (Credit: FX Networks)

From Freak Show to Comic-Con Glam

Roberts next stepped into AHS: Freak Show as the sly fortune teller Maggie Esmerelda, but off-screen, her style was evolving in a different direction. By 2015, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk were shaping a project that blended horror with sharp comedy—laying the groundwork for Scream Queens.

That same year, Roberts and her co-star Lea Michele turned heads at the 20th Century Fox Comic-Con Party. Michele dazzled in a flirty Zimmermann dress styled with Jimmy Choo heels and a Charlotte Olympia clutch.

At the same time, Roberts embraced understated elegance in a lavender silk AWAVEAWAKE slip dress, Kurt Geiger’s strappy “Maia” sandals, and a sculptural M2Malletier clutch.

Emma Roberts and Lea Michele brought contrasting takes on evening chic to the 2015 Comic-Con 20th Century Fox Party—Roberts in AWAVEAWAKE and Kurt Geiger, Michele in Zimmermann and Jimmy Choo on July 10, 2015 (Credit: CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock)

Reigning as Chanel Oberlin in Scream Queens

The result was the satirical, darkly comic Scream Queens, which premiered on Fox in September 2015 with Roberts perfectly cast as the queen bee, Chanel Oberlin—a role created specifically for her by Murphy, Brennan, and Falchuk.

Emma Roberts as Chanel Oberlin in Scream Queens, balancing her sorority queen persona with a deceptively sweet look in bubblegum-pink scrubs—proof that even in camp horror, her style moments became instantly iconic (Credit: 20th Century Fox Television)

Her lovably bitchy Chanel #1 was the sorority president of Kappa Kappa Tau at Wallace University, navigating the reemergence of a 20-year-old murder mystery involving a serial killer dressed as the Red Devil mascot, who begins targeting the sorority members.

The show featured a star-studded cast that included Ariana Grande, Billie Lourd, and Abigail Breslin as her minions and fellow Chanels #2, #3, and #5 (#4 died from meningitis).

Emma Roberts as Chanel Oberlin in Scream Queens, lounging in a blush lace camisole against a tufted satin headboard—a scene that perfectly captures the character’s mix of glamour, vulnerability, and queen-bee attitude (Credit: 20th Century Fox Television)

Also featured across the show’s two seasons were equally Stan-worthy actors John Stamos, Taylor Lautner, Keke Palmer, Lea Michele, Nick Jonas, and Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis, who’d “been selling yogurt that makes you shit for six years” before playing Dean Cathy Munsch.

At 24, Emma Roberts was primed to play a college sorority queen dishing out lines as biting and snarky as her American Horror Story fare, but for teen fans tuning in at 9 pm on Tuesdays, and the social media firestorm that would follow.

Abigail Breslin, Emma Roberts, Ariana Grande, and Billie Lourd step into their sorority alter egos—Chanel #5, Chanel Oberlin, Chanel #2, and Chanel #3—in Scream Queens, each styled in over-the-top pastel looks that defined the show’s camp-glam aesthetic (Credit: 20th Century Fox Television)

Beyond the screen, Roberts has cultivated her own literary and style persona. In 2021, she and Karah Preiss celebrated their Belletrist book club with a chic launch event in New York, where Roberts’s look struck a balance between casual ease and polished detail.

Karah Preiss and Emma Roberts at the Belletrist book club launch in New York City on July 27, 2021—Roberts in a cropped Celine top, yellow tweed blazer, relaxed jeans, and chain-strap white pumps that added a refined edge to her casual-chic ensemble (Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for BookClub)

By 2016, Roberts was serving fashion moments even off the red carpet. What’s better than one standout look? Multiple, of course.

The actress was spotted in Los Angeles debuting a series of chic street-style ensembles that showcased her evolving taste and love of statement shoes.

2016 Street Style: Multiple Outfits, One Day

Emma Roberts sports bright red hair as she leaves 901 Salon in Los Angeles on April 5, 2016 (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

In April 2016, the Blow actress switched it up as she stepped out in Los Angeles wearing multiple outfits on a single Tuesday. The then-25-year-old niece of Julia Roberts was spotted leaving a salon appointment in a flesh-baring two-piece ensemble by Aerie.

Emma Roberts leaves a salon appointment in a two-piece Aerie ensemble (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

She displayed her toned arms, midriff, and cleavage in a chambray bralette top that featured a low V-cut neckline and a ruffled peplum detail.

The stunning actress teamed the summery top with matching tie-waisted flared pants and a pair of silver sandals.

Emma Roberts hides her eyes behind a pair of Pifebo sunglasses as she struts through Los Angeles in an Aerie ensemble (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

Emma accessorized the casual ensemble with a couple of bracelets, an AC Jewelry ring, a Jennifer Meyer heart pendant necklace, and a pair of Pifebo sunglasses.

Emma Roberts carries a printed tote and sports a Jennifer Meyer necklace (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

She carried a Bijou Karman tote and completed the look with minimal makeup and her new red locks.

Emma Roberts’s feet in metallic Loeffler Randall sandals (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

Emma complemented her red toenails with a pair of metallic silver leather “Pia” sandals by Loeffler Randall. These open-toed shoes feature buckled ankle straps and mid-strap details, approximately one-inch contrasting platforms, and 1.75-inch heels.

Coffee Run Chic: Plaid Madewell Dress and Gucci Loafers

Emma later made a quick outfit change and grabbed a coffee in a plaid sleeveless dress.

Emma Roberts grabs a coffee in a plaid Madewell dress (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

She flashed a hint of legs in the summery frock that featured two shoulder straps and buttons that ran the entire length of the dress.

Emma Roberts keeps things casual in a comfy plaid Madewell dress (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

Emma teamed the dress with a pair of sandals to keep things comfy and casual. The Unfabulous actress accessorized the look with a Maison Kitsune tote and a Cartier bracelet.

She braided her freshly-styled locks and wore the same sunglasses she’d been sporting earlier in the day.

Emma Roberts’s feet in leather Gucci loafers (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN)

Emma’s Gucci loafers are made of leather and feature the brand’s signature horsebit detail.

Gucci Horsebit-Detailed Loafers, $640

Emma Roberts’ Best Shoe & Style Highlights

From polished red carpet moments to off-duty street style, Roberts continues to showcase her versatility through bold footwear choices and designer looks. Explore some of her most memorable fashion highlights below.