The Truth Behind the Co-Stars: Julia Roberts and Britt Robertson
Unveiling the connection between Julia Roberts and Britt Robertson and the misconception of their relation as mother and daughter.
The Movie Connection
After the two actresses appeared together in Mother's Day, people began to wonder, is Britt Robertson related to Julia Roberts? Released in 2016, Mother's Day is a romantic dramedy directed by Garry Marshall. The movie takes place in Atlanta, Georgia in the days leading up to the eponymous day, and centers on an ensemble of characters' interconnected storylines, including Roberts' Miranda and Robertson's Kristin. Mother's Day is the third film in Marshall's unofficial holiday movie trilogy, alongside 2010's Valentine's Day and 2011's New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, none of these movies were particularly well-reviewed, with Mother's Day receiving 8% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Miranda (Julia Roberts) holding a baby and Kristin's (Britt Robertson) hand in Mother's Day
While Mother's Day may have been a critical flop, it still boasted a talented cast that includes Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Kate Hudson, and of course, Julia Roberts and Britt Robertson. Roberts is one of Hollywood's most celebrated actresses, breaking onto the scene with films like Mystic Pizza, Steel Magnolias, and Pretty Woman. In 2001, she received a long overdue Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Erin Brockovich. Meanwhile, Robertson is an up-and-comer worth watching, as she's delivered great performances in White Rabbit, Tomorrowland, and Girlboss. But are Mother's Day co-stars Roberts and Robertson related?
The Real Connection
Britt Robertson Is Not Related To Her Mother's Day Co-Star Julia Roberts
While Julia Roberts and Britt Robertson may play mother and daughter in Mother's Day, they are not related in real life. In the movie, Roberts' character Miranda Collins is a famous TV personality who gave her daughter Kristin up for adoption when she was very young. Robertson's Kristin is a young mother herself and wants to meet Miranda in order to determine whether she should marry her boyfriend. Miranda and Kristin reunite, Kristin proposes to her boyfriend, and they get married that day with Miranda present. It's a sweet mother-daughter storyline and easy to see why audiences might think Roberts and Robertson are actually related.
However, despite the actresses playing relatives and having similar last names, Julia Roberts is not Britt Robertson's actual mother, nor are they related. Roberts was born on October 28, 1967 in Smyrna, Georgia to parents Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, and has two older siblings, Eric and Lisa (via Sportskeeda). The Oscar winner is also a mother herself, as she has three children with husband Danny Moder — a twin daughter and son, born 2004, and another son born 2007 (via People). Meanwhile, Robertson was born on April 18, 1990 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Beverly and Ryan Robertson. She is the eldest of seven children (via The Charlotte Observer).
The Idol and the Dream
Julia Roberts Stars In Brit Robertson's Favorite Childhood Movie
Edward (Richard Gere) and Vivian (Julia Roberts) laughing in Pretty Woman
Julia Roberts may not be Britt Robertson's mother, but she certainly is an idol of sorts to the young actress. Robertson told THR that her favorite movie as a child was Roberts' breakout hit, Pretty Woman. The rom-com's adult themes make it an unconventional choice for a childhood film, but Robertson is connected to her own mother through the movie. Robertson says:
'[Pretty Woman] was the first movie my mom ever took me to — I was really young. I didn’t really understand any of the ideas or concepts in the film but I loved Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and I just loved that whole story. It’s so nostalgic now when I rewatch it at this point in my life.'
Roberts is a role model to many aspiring actresses, and when Robertson got the opportunity to work with her on Mother's Day, it was unsurprisingly a 'dream come true' (via Hollywood Life). Robertson had nothing but kind words to say about working with Roberts and how warm the veteran actress was to her on set. While the saying goes 'Don't meet your heroes', Robertson's positive experience with Roberts proves it wrong.
