Modern Family's Aubrey Anderson-Emmons Is Nothing Like Lily In Real Life
The cast of characters on "Modern Family" may feel incredibly relatable to many, but that doesn't mean the show's respective actors always mirror their television personas. Amongst these actors is Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who, beginning on the hit show's third season, portrayed Lily Tucker-Pritchett, the adopted daughter of Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Lily's snarky personality, unhinged reactions, and bucket loads of sass have led to some of the show's most unexpectedly gut-busting moments and helped her become an especially memorable supporting cast member.
But the real-life Anderson-Emmons is nothing like her cat-loving counterpart. In a 2021 interview with Girls' Life, the young actress explains that the connection to her character truly ends when the cameras stop rolling. "I don't relate to her too much—I'm not sassy or a brat!" Anderson-Emmons explains. "I don't roast my mom 24/7 or walk in the room and do a line and walk out. It's great playing her but I'm not like her. She's definitely a character!" Whether the actress fully embodies her role in reality or not, there's no questioning that, like Anderson-Emmons, Lily's journey has seen much growth for the character over the years.
Lily's journey is an admirable one
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons may be nothing like Lily Tucker-Pritchett in the real world. Still, just as audiences saw the actress grow before their eyes over the 11-season run of "Modern Family," they also got to experience her character evolving into a very different person over time. While there wasn't much to the character in the show's first two seasons when she was played by toddler twins Ella and Jaden Hiller, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons' take over of the role starting in Season 3 came with a bold personality that would define the character for much of her time on the show.
Lily's seemingly endless collection of sassy one-liners and reactions made for some unforgettable and hilarious moments that showcased her development. For example, Lily consistently exhibited an unwillingness to share, reacting especially negatively when her fathers were looking into adopting another baby. Over time, however, she begins warming up to the idea, even asking for a cat if she won't get a brother. By Season 11, not only does the teenage Lily encourage her parents to go through with a new child, but she also uses her wit to break down their concerns, noting that they have what it takes to care for their newest addition. No matter what stage of her journey Lily was in, nothing ever changed the entertainment value she brought to the series.