Emma from Friends in 2026: Cali & Noelle Sheldon Life Update
If you want to feel old today, I’ve got just the thing for you.
Remember the episode where Ross and Rachel’s baby, Emma, has her first birthday? The one where the cake looks like a… well, not a bunny? That was aired in 2003. Fast forward to 2026, and the real-life twins who played Emma—Cali and Noelle Sheldon—aren’t just walking and talking; they’re officially college grads navigating the real world.
I spent some time looking into what they’re up to now, and honestly, their “where are they now” story is one of the most normal, successful child-star transitions I’ve seen in a long time.
From Central Perk to UCLA
While many child actors get lost in the Hollywood machine, Cali and Noelle took a sharp turn toward the library. Both sisters graduated from UCLA in June 2024.
What’s wild is how their paths actually mirror their TV parents. Cali Sheldon didn’t just go for a “filler” degree; she pursued Biomedical Engineering. You can almost hear Ross Geller bragging about her at a museum gala, right? Meanwhile, Noelle stayed a bit closer to the arts, focusing on Directing and Writing.
They’ve essentially become the perfect 2026 version of their characters: smart, driven, and living that high-paced California life.
Sheldon Twins in Us
If you saw Jordan Peele’s horror masterpiece Us and felt like the twins, Becca and Lindsey, looked hauntingly familiar, your instincts were right. That was Cali and Noelle’s big return to the spotlight.
Peele, who is a bit of a pop-culture genius, even threw in a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” Easter egg. The character of the father in the movie has a tattoo on his arm that was actually modeled after a photo of Cali and Noelle from when they were babies on the Friends set. Talk about a full-circle moment—going from the world’s most famous sitcom baby to a terrifying doppelgänger in a psychological thriller.
The Big Question: Are Ross and Rachel Still Together?
Since we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of Friends lately, the twins have been popping up in a few rare interviews. Naturally, everyone asks them the same thing: Did Ross and Rachel make it?
According to Cali, “They are definitely still together.” She even has a theory on what Emma is doing in 2026:
“I’m sure she’s raided Rachel’s closet by now. I think she’s a perfect mix—she’s got her mom’s fashion sense but definitely inherited the nerdy side. I mean, I personally love dinosaurs… I’m a big T-Rex fan.”
Why They Stayed “Normal”
In a 2026 update, the sisters shared that their parents were the real heroes of their story. Even though they were part of the biggest show on earth, they were treated like “regular kids” who just happened to have a very cool baby book. They weren’t even allowed to watch the show until they were 13!
Today, they seem happy to dip their toes into Hollywood when they want to (like their roles in Us), but they’re just as happy focus on their careers and their lives as “regular” 20-somethings in L.A.
What do you think? Does Emma Geller-Green as a biomedical engineer fit your head-canon for the show?
If you loved this nostalgia trip, check out my other deep dive: The story of Charles Thomas Allen From Friends, Where Are They Now?.
