How Emma Watkins 'burnt through' savings after quitting $750,000-a-year job at The Wiggles

After becoming the first female member of The Wiggles in 2012 and winning fans all around the world, Emma Watkins was earning $750,000-a-year as the Yellow Wiggle by the time she quit the children’s group in 2021.

Following her shock decision to walk away, the 35-year-old has now admitted she “burned through” the fortune she’d amassed by going on to develop her own character and brand, Emma Memma.

Emma on leaving The Wiggles: 'Tricky spot'

Speaking on the Better Than Yesterday podcast recently, Emma explained that being the “accountant, producer, bookkeeper, legal, product, singer, dancer and tap dancer” for the project meant she didn’t realise how much money she was losing in the first year.

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“When I left The Wiggles I actually went back to full time study. The whole premise was I was going to finish my PHD [in Auslan communication and dance], that became the whole focus - but of course that wasn’t bringing in any revenue,” Emma said, explaining she then developed Emma Memma alongside her studies with her partner to promote awareness of Deaf people and sign language.

“If it wasn’t successful [after 12 months], or we hadn’t got any bites or potential work after that time I’d have to stop it. Only at the end of 12 months did we start to get some bites for the business. Which put us in a tricky spot because then you have to put in more cash to go into year two. The inventory has only happened recently to see how much money we’ve burnt through, and where we can go now and will we be sustainable with our current business?”

The Wiggles' reported earnings

According to Woman’s Day, Emma was making $750,000-a-year for her role as the Yellow Wiggle. In 2018, the performer also acquired approximately 8% of The Wiggles brand and remains an active board member.

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In 2021, it was estimated that The Wiggles generate $30 million a year through touring and merchandise.

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