Friends fans emotional as twins who played Emma make rare public appearance

As bizarre as it feels to write, the beloved sitcom Friends first premiered 30 years ago. That's right, September 22, 1994, was the hallowed day that we first met Phoebe, Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel and Joey and kickstarted a TV obsession that would span 10 seasons, 236 episodes, endless merchandise and one reunion special.

In a testament to the enduring popularity of the Emmy-winning sitcom, fans have been flooding social media with appreciation posts to mark the major milestone. Unsurprisingly, a common theme among the posts has been just how much Friends has meant to people over the years and how it has provided much-needed comfort in tough times.

Fans pay homage to Friends for 30th anniversary

"Can’t believe that #Friends has just turned 30 years old!" one fan wrote on X. "It still remains as one of my go-to comfort shows whenever I need cheering up or I’ve had a tough day! It’s like an old comfort blanket - the world and all troubles slipping away as the first notes of the theme tune plays!"

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"It's been 30 years since the first episode of Friends aired! No sitcom can replace #Friends. That's how much those characters have impacted our lives. #FRIENDS4EVER #Friends30 #Joey #Rachel #Monica #Chandler #Phoebe #Ross. I can just say thank you for making our lives better."

"Happy 30th anniversary to all my friends #Friends30 #30yearsoffriends," someone else wrote. "I'm forever happy I was introduced to this show, and to think after 30 years. This show is still popular and re-watchable! I remember putting this on when I felt lonely."

It wasn't just viewers of the series sharing their memories, theories and favourite episodes, either.

Friends stars unrecognisable in Good Morning Britain interview

Twins Noelle and Cali Sheldon, who played Ross and Rachel's daughter Emma, also spoke about the episode they love the most and shared their thoughts on where Emma's on-again, off-again parents would be today.

"They’re definitely still together in my opinion," said Cali during a Zoom interview with Good Morning Britain, while Noelle agreed: "Yeah, for sure," before later adding that they "probably have another kid too."

"Emma is definitely the perfect mix of both of her parents," Cali continued. "[She] obviously takes after her mum, I’m sure she’s raided Rachel’s closet. And also, definitely got a bit of a nerdy side. I personally do love dinosaurs [laughs] I’m a big T-Rex fan."

The twins also revealed that their favourite episode was 'The One With the Cake' - where the Friends gang are trying to celebrate Emma's 1st birthday but instead spend most of the episode waiting for her to wake up from her nap. In the meantime, Ross and Rachel must deal with the fact that the bunny cake they've ordered for their baby girl has arrived looking like a yellow eggplant emoji...if you know what I mean.

"It's so fun," said Noelle while Cali called it "a classic" before elaborating that they are probably quite "biased" toward that particular episode.

What are Cali and Noelle Sheldon doing now?

In news that will make you want to move straight into a nursing home and stock up on adult diapers, Emma Geller, would now be 22 - just as Cali and Noelle are.

"It’s really cool to be part of a show that’s older than we are," Noelle said. "Friends has been part of pop culture and television history since we were babies. I’m really grateful."

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As for Noelle and Cali - who were just 1 when they appeared in the sitcom, the pair has continued to act, landing roles in the TV series Life and other short films. They both appeared in Jordan Peele's 2019 film Us alongside Elisabeth Moss, Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke.

Additionally, the girls attended UCLA and graduated from the university together in June 2024.

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