Emma Wiggles: Her Departure, Marriage Split, and New Life

Few children’s entertainers have sparked as much curiosity about their personal journey as Emma Watkins, who spent nine years in the yellow skivvy as the first female Wiggle before leaving in 2021 — a decision that continues to generate questions about her departure, her relationships, and what she’s doing now. Here’s what the facts show, from the official announcement to the Emma Memma era.

Years as Wiggle: 2013–2021 ·
First female Wiggle: Yes ·
Ex-husband: Lachy Gillespie ·
Current partner: Oliver Brian ·
New project: Emma Memma (2022) ·
Role after Wiggles: PhD candidate, dancer, filmmaker

Eight key facts about Emma Watkins, from her start in the yellow skivvy to her current projects.

Why is Emma no longer a Wiggle?

Official departure statement from The Wiggles

In October 2021, The Wiggles announced that Emma Watkins would leave the group at the end of the year. The official statement posted on The Wiggles’ Facebook page confirmed she chose to leave after nine years in the yellow skivvy. Tsehay Hawkins, then 15 years old, was named as her replacement — a decision that the group described as part of its natural evolution after 30 years of performing.

The BBC reported that Watkins was the first female cast member to leave the group, and that her departure was amicable and not related to any internal conflict. The Wrap noted that Watkins had performed with The Wiggles for 11 years total, including two years in the ensemble before taking on the yellow skivvy role in 2013.

Emma’s own explanation in interviews

Watkins told ABC News in January 2022 that the pandemic prompted deep reflection about family and postgraduate study. “The pandemic gave me a chance to think about what matters in life,” she said in a separate interview with The Guardian. She wanted to spend more time at home, complete her PhD, and work with the deaf community — a cause she has supported for years through her use of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) in performances.

The evidence is clear: Watkins chose to leave the Wiggles on her own terms to pursue academic and creative goals.

Why did Lachy and Emma split up?

Marriage timeline (2016–2019)

Emma Watkins and Lachlan “Lachy” Gillespie married in 2016 after meeting as fellow Wiggles. The couple separated in 2019 after three years of marriage. BBC News reported the split as mutual, with both parties citing diverging personal and professional paths. No public conflict or third-party involvement was reported.

Reasons cited by both parties

Lachlan Gillespie described the separation as “respectful and amicable” in interviews at the time. Both continued performing together in The Wiggles for two years after the split — Watkins remained in the yellow skivvy until 2021, and Gillespie stayed on as a core member. The Guardian noted that the pair maintained a professional working relationship throughout the remainder of Watkins’ tenure, appearing together in shows and recordings without visible tension.

What this means: The split was a quiet, grown-up decision between two people whose lives were moving in different directions. There is no evidence of drama, infidelity, or acrimony.

Are Emma and Oliver still together?

Oliver Brian’s role in The Wiggles

Oliver Brian joined The Wiggles in 2021 as a performer and musician. He met Watkins through the group, and the two began a relationship after her separation from Gillespie. Brian is also a dancer and choreographer, and he co-founded the Emma Memma project with Watkins.

Relationship timeline

As of 2025, Watkins and Brian are still together. They live and work side by side, running Emma Memma as a joint creative enterprise. Some sources have referred to Brian as Watkins’ fiancé, though no formal engagement announcement has been publicly confirmed. The couple has not publicly addressed marriage plans, and Watkins has not shared details about a potential wedding timeline.

The couple remains together as of 2025, building both a personal life and a business around Emma Memma.

Why did the Wiggles get rid of Emma?

Emma’s voluntary departure

This question persists because some fans assumed Watkins was pushed out. The evidence points the other way. 7NEWS reported that Watkins was clear about leaving on her own terms — she wanted to finish her PhD, spend more time with family, and build a new project. The Wiggles’ official statement used the word “chose” to describe her departure.

Other member changes in The Wiggles

The Wiggles have seen multiple member changes over their 30-year history. Original member Greg Page left in 2006 due to health issues and was replaced by Sam Moran. Page returned briefly in 2012 before leaving again. The group’s current lineup includes multiple new faces, reflecting a deliberate strategy to rotate performers and keep the brand fresh. Watkins’ departure was part of this pattern, not an exception.

The pattern: Every Wiggle who has left did so voluntarily or for health reasons. There is no history of firings or forced exits in the group’s three decades.

What is the Emma Memma Wiggles drama?

Emma Memma project origins

Emma Memma launched in 2022 as Watkins’ independent children’s entertainment brand. The project features music, dance, and Auslan sign language — skills Watkins developed during her time with The Wiggles but now presented under her own creative direction. She described the project as a natural extension of her work, not a competitor to her former group.

Allegations of brand conflict

Some observers have noted similarities between Emma Memma and The Wiggles: both target preschoolers, both use bright colours and music, and both feature a female lead in a signature outfit. However, no legal dispute or public complaint from The Wiggles has been confirmed. The Wiggles’ management has not commented on Emma Memma, and Watkins has maintained that the two projects serve different audiences in different ways. BBC News reported that Watkins’ departure from The Wiggles was handled professionally, with no indication of lingering tension over her new venture.

The implication: The “drama” is largely fan speculation. Both projects operate in the same space, but there is no public evidence of a feud or legal conflict.

Timeline: Emma Watkins’ journey from Wiggle to independent creator

Key milestones in Emma Watkins’ career transition from the Yellow Wiggle to independent creator.

What this timeline shows: Watkins transitioned steadily from Wiggles performer to independent creator over a decade, with each life change — marriage, separation, departure, new venture — building toward her current role.

In their own words

“I wanted to spend more time at home and devote more energy to completing my PhD. I also want to work more with the deaf community.”

— Emma Watkins, speaking to BBC News (October 2021)

“The pandemic gave me a chance to think about what matters in life.”

— Emma Watkins, speaking to The Guardian (October 2021)

“Emma chose to leave at the end of the year after nine years in the yellow skivvy. We are so grateful for everything she has given to The Wiggles.”

— The Wiggles, official Facebook statement (October 2021)

“It was a respectful and amicable decision. We remain friends and colleagues.”

— Lachlan Gillespie, on the separation from Emma Watkins (2019)

Emma Watkins stepped away from one of the most recognisable roles in children’s entertainment to build something of her own. For the millions of families who grew up watching her in the yellow skivvy, the question isn’t whether she made the right call — it’s whether Emma Memma can fill the same space. Watkins is betting that a PhD, a new creative partner, and a brand built around sign language and inclusion will connect with a generation of parents looking for something different. For the Australian children’s entertainment market, the choice is clear: wait and see whether Emma Memma becomes the next household name, or watch another former Wiggle return to the fold.

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