Emma Roberts Takes on Boarding School at 16: Her Wild Child Journey

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In Nick Moore’s 2008 teen comedy film Wild Child, Emma Roberts played Poppy Moore when she was 16, a fitting choice for a character the same age.

On-Set Romance: Emma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer

The comedy led to a romance between Roberts and model-turned-actor Alex Pettyfer, who played Freddie Kingsley – Moore’s love interest. He is about one year older than Emma Roberts and married Toni Garrn in 2020.

Emma Roberts as spoiled teenager Poppy Moore and Alex Pettyfer as Freddie Kingsley in the 2008 British American teen comedy film Wild ChildEmma Roberts as spoiled teenager Poppy Moore and Alex Pettyfer as Freddie Kingsley in the 2008 British American teen comedy film Wild Child (Credit: Universal Pictures)

The couple was together for about a year, and Pettyfer even had Roberts’ initials tattooed on his ring finger. The two allegedly called their relationship quits in July 2008.

In a 2010 interview with Glamour U.K., Pettyfer acknowledged getting a tattoo because of love but expressed no regrets despite their breakup.

“I got a girl’s name tattooed on my ring finger because I was in love,” Pettyfer told the magazine. “We’ve broken up, but I don’t live in regret.”

Emma Roberts’ 17th Birthday and ‘Wild Child’ Release

The final film of English actress Natasha Richardson, who died on March 18, 2009, Wild Child started filming in England in June 2007 when Emma Roberts was 16 years old.

She celebrated her 17th birthday on February 10, 2008, and was 17 years old when the film was released in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2008.

Emma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer met in June 2007 on the set of Wild Child and dated for about a yearEmma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer met in June 2007 on the set of Wild Child and dated for about a year (Credit: Richard Young / Startraksphoto)

In the film, Roberts is a spoilt Malibu princess who gets shipped off to boarding school. The exterior facade of the school was filmed at Balls Park in Hertford, a Grade I-listed mid-17th-century house. The interiors of the boarding school were shot at Cobham Hall in Kent.

Additional filming took place at 82, 84, and 117 Main Street and at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Keighley, Bradford. Filming also occurred in Harrogate and Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

Her character has excellent style, and we do not doubt that the actress also has a knack for it. We love a good classic pair of pointed-toe flats.

Emma Roberts’ Street Style: Casual Yet Chic

In July 2012, Wild Child actress Emma Roberts rocked the same pair of d’Orsay Jenni Kayne flats as Jessica Alba. And much like Jessica, Emma paired hers with printed psychedelic pants.

Emma Roberts wears her hair down while eating ice cream out in Los AngelesEmma Roberts wears her hair down while eating ice cream out in Los Angeles on July 6, 2012 (Credit: Hailey-R / WENN)

Emma wore her California lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne shoes while grabbing ice cream in Los Angeles with her mom, Kelly Cunningham.

In addition to the fun leggings, Emma sported a white t-shirt, a camel-colored leather jacket, a brown leather tote, and oversized sunglasses.

Emma Roberts and her mom Kelly Cunningham stroll through Los AngelesEmma Roberts and her mom, Kelly Cunningham, stroll through Los Angeles (Credit: Hailey-R / WENN)

The Unique Design of Jenni Kayne Flats

The pointy vamps and the d’Orsay silhouette give these ballet flats a unique twist.

Emma Roberts and her mom grab ice cream while strolling through Los AngelesEmma Roberts and her mom grab ice cream while strolling through Los Angeles (Credit: Hailey-R / WENN)

Emma’s black version isn’t available online. Other interesting renditions — like Croc and Chambray — have also sold out.

Jenni Kayne d'Orsay Flats in Oliva, Brown, and Red CrocJenni Kayne d’Orsay Flats in Oliva, Brown, and Red Croc, $495

Jenni Kayne d'Orsay Flat in ChambrayJenni Kayne d’Orsay Flat in Chambray, $395