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We’re literally obsessed with Emma Roberts’s latest television project, Tell Me Lies.
In 2021, Roberts signed a first-look partnership with Hulu to develop television series under her production banner, Belletrist TV. Through this collaboration, Roberts is working alongside her producing partner, Karah Preiss, to bring books to life on-screen. The first project that Roberts and her team at Belletrist TV are bringing to life with Hulu is Tell Me Lies,a twisted modern love story based on Carola Lovering’s novel.
For the latest episode of Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr, Roberts shares what drew her to adapt Tell Me Liesfor the small screen, the staple pieces in her wardrobe, and which trends she’s excited to try this fall. Hint: Roberts probably won’t be testing out too many Y2K trends as the temperatures cool down.
For some excerpts of their interview, scroll below.
Can we talk about your new series, Tell Me Lies.
Tell Me Lies is based on a book by Carola Lovering. It’s book that I was aware of, but I hadn’t read, and my producing partner, Karah Preiss, called me, and she’s like, “Okay, someone sent me this book, and I read it, and I can’t stop thinking about it. So I need you to read it.”
Anything she tells me to read, I read immediately. I read it in like three days and just could not put it down. I too could not shake it. It’s essentially about a relationship, but that’s the tip of the iceberg. It’s a very compulsive read.
You’ve been in front of the camera, you’ve read a million scripts, you’ve seen a zillion versions of what something can be, and then you see how it’s actually made. What is it like being on the other side of it?
First of all, it has to be there from the beginning. A lot of people will say, “It’ll get there, it’ll get there.” I always feel like if the kernel of the idea or the magic isn’t there to begin with, it’s not going to get there the more people that get involved or the more questions that get asked or the more notes that get put on something.
I find that the things that end up being even remotely good were kind of good from the jump—at least in my experience.
With Tell Me Lies, the book was already amazing. Translating that to TV, I was like, “Okay, how are we going to do this?” Then Meaghan [Oppenheimer] turned in a pilot that was truly one of the best pilots I’ve ever read.
Then we go into casting, and we ended up getting our first choice for our main character, Lucy, who’s Grace Van Patten, who’s amazing. I just feel like we got really lucky on this.
What are your three favorite wardrobe items, and are there any trends that you’re excited about for fall?
Right now, I’m wearing a white polo Louis Vuitton long-sleeve T-shirt—even though it’s very hot—with some shorts. I was wearing high heels, but then I put on Birkenstocks before we started talking—which is a huge secret—but I’m going to reveal it to you.
I’m obsessed with denim again—even though it’s not getting cool in L.A.— and I’ve been pulling out my jeans. I love Re/Done. I think they’re the best. I also love my Mother jeans, which if I recall from your newsletter, you like Mother jeans, too?
Sure do.
For me, a Dôen dress. I wear them day, I wear them night, to any occasion. Heels, flats, I love it. They’re the best.
Are there any trends that you’re excited to explore for fall?
Here’s what I’m not excited for: I’m not excited to feel old when I see teenagers walking around wearing what I wore in 2005. That’s what I’m not excited for. Y2K coming back is scaring me beyond my wildest nightmares.
I was made fun of for all of those trends at one point and then got rid of them. Now people are bringing them back to me, and it’s definitely scaring me a little bit.
I’m not doing kitten heels. I’m not doing trucker hats. I’m not doing visors. My least favorite is the thick-strap tank tops. I thought we were done with this.
The one trend I will get on board with is a choker. Remember those little plastic chokers that we all wore? I’ll wear those again. Look: I’ll wear a flip-flop—I’m not gonna lie—which I know is so unfashion, but I will.
In all seriousness, people are bringing the old Dior Saddle bag, and I’m very there for that. I love that. Look: I’ll bedazzle a jacket if I have to.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Next up, check out our previous episode featuring Kerry Washington.
