Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins gives a personal update amid a ‘completely different’ life transition

Emma Watkins has given a candid update on her battle with endometriosis and revealed the “completely different” lifestyle changes she’s made since her diagnosis in 2017.

The former Yellow Wiggle previously revealed how the condition caused her to wonder if she would ever have children.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Emma Watkins talks about her new venture and life after Wiggles.

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But these days, rather than weigh in on such a result, she says she’s “not really there yet.”

“(Endo) is different for everyone,” the star candidly told 7Life.

Watkins, 33, is one of nine women with the debilitating condition in which tissue resembling the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and sometimes migrates to other areas of the body.

Its nature discourages many women from speaking openly about it or seeking medical advice.

But the Emma Memma star is using her platform to raise awareness and share her journey, becoming an Ambassador for Endometriosis Australia following her stage four diagnosis.

Watkins, who married musician Oliver Brian in 2022, said her focus right now is on her persona, Emma Memma.

She is also doing her doctorate in the artistic integration of sign language, dance and film editing.

“Right now our baby is the project and the promotion. Until then, I’ll focus on that.”

But her health struggle is still an important part of her journey.

Watkins was diagnosed while she was still touring the country and performing as Yellow Wiggle.

She eventually announced her diagnosis to stem questions about her absence from the tour schedule – and was surprised at the love she received.

In hindsight, the entertainer recognizes that many parents could relate to her struggle.

“Often they know someone who has it — a sister or an aunt … the parents are very understanding,” says Watkins.

“So that changes the landscape, because then mothers are overwhelmingly like, ‘Yeah, whoa, take a break.’

“Actually, I think I got more support than I thought.”

To ease her symptoms in recent years, Watkins has made many lifestyle changes, including moving to NSW’s Southern Highlands.

The children’s entertainer left The Wiggles in 2022 and now lives a much more relaxed lifestyle on her own schedule.

“Quite a journey”

“(Endo) has to be approached holistically – it’s not just about one thing or the other,” says Watkins.

“But you know, in the last five years since my diagnosis and surgery, I’ve managed to try to look at a lot of different perspectives and changes.

“My lifestyle, exercise, relaxation and where I live – all of this plays a role.”

The entertainer said it “takes a couple of years to figure that out”.

“It’s been quite a journey, but it’s been nice to have much older friends who have been through it.

“Everyone is supporting us and I think most people want to share that there is a safe network to talk about.

“If this conversation is obvious, then that’s the best thing that can happen.”

Watkins says of her new life with Brian and her 11 pets, “It’s been such a nice move to the country.”

“We’re in a really nice place right now.”

Describing a day in her new life, the 33-year-old says she wakes up around 6am and feeds the goats before maybe spotting a wallaby or two.

“We meet up on Zoom with our friends and people across Australia but also around the world because we can meet up with our friends in Canada or New Zealand in the morning.

“Then it’s recording for most of the day. So we’re recording so many songs and I guess we’re developing the show that way,” says Watkins of her Emma Memma project.

She says this style of work is “completely different” from her nine years with The Wiggles, during which the group toured 80 percent of the year.

new chapter

Although Watkins’ Wiggles departure and move to the country were meant to help her slow down, the child entertainer has instead dove into her new Emma Memma venture.

Combining her passions for the Auslan language, dance and children, Watkins created the character to encourage a new generation of communication.

Emma Memma and her friends tackle challenges and adventures using sign language, choreographed dance narration, gestures, pantomime, singing, speaking, listening, crafting and drawing.

With the character successfully morphing into a series and an upcoming tour of Australia, Watkins is releasing a companion book, Hello, Emma Memma.

The first of 10 books planned for the next two years, Hello, Emma Memma, introduces the character and how she was born.

According to Watkins, the book series was the natural next step because “kids just love to read a story to them, whether it’s about themselves or an adult reading to them.

“It’s such an integral part of childhood. That’s why we ventured into this series of books.”

Hello, Emma Memma hit the bookshelves on February 28th.

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