Shameless’s Emma Kenney on Fame, Pay Gaps & Finding Purpose

Emma Kenney grew up on screen - cast at just nine years old, she spent over a decade playing Debbie Gallagher on Shameless and Harris on The Conners. But behind the fame, Emma faced child stardom’s toughest challenges: battling misconceptions about her identity, navigating Hollywood’s pay gap, and fighting the constant pressure to stay relevant.

Now 26, she’s carving a new path - launching Yogi’s House, a dog rescue that has already saved nearly 400 animals. In this episode, Emma opens up about the cost of fame, the realities of money and contracts in Hollywood, and why she chose passion over profit.

We cover:

This isn’t just a story about fame - it’s about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose outside the spotlight.

I just shared that I needed to repurchase my Cowboy Colostrum in this video and use it every day. I’m an unflavored girlie but they just launched matcha and am so curious to try it!!

♡ 01. clean start ♡

I’ve become obsessed with keeping my skin fresh and balanced. Morning and night, I always start with something that makes my face feel truly reset.

♡ 02. fresh canvas ♡

Soft skin starts with how you dry it — not just what you wash with. I swapped my old towels for something that feels like luxury but keeps breakouts at bay.

♡ 03. smooth finish ♡

My hair routine is simple, but I never skip conditioner. It’s my secret to shine and softness without the heavy feel.

♡ 04. skin recharge ♡

I swear by sheet masks when I need a pick-me-up. It’s my five-minute reset that makes me feel instantly revived.

♡ 05. quiet moments ♡

Lighting something familiar each night helps me slow down, reset, and remember what matters most.

♡ 06. scalp therapy ♡

A healthy scalp is the foundation for good hair days. I massage in a lightweight serum that feels equal parts ritual and self-care.

♡ 07. current read ♡

I’m constantly looking for voices that challenge my thinking and help me level up. A recent favorite gave me an entirely new take on self-belief.

♡ 08. flawless touch ♡

When I want a little extra confidence, I reach for something that gives me that soft, radiant glow without looking overdone.

♡ 09. my little crew ♡

My dogs bring me more joy than anything else. They’re my daily reminder to play more and love harder.

♡ 10. story time ♡

I love getting lost in films that make me think. Recently, one about Amanda Knox stuck with me — haunting, complex, and unforgettable.

♡ Hot Hack ♡

My hot hack is keeping it real online. TikTok is kind of like my news channel — it’s where I can just be myself. I’ll cry, I’ll vent, I’ll talk honestly about what’s happening. It’s way more freeing than Instagram. I don’t overthink it — I just share what’s real, and people connect with that.

♡ Smart Hack ♡

I’ve started looking into optioning books and developing my own projects. I’ve been acting since I was a kid, but now I want to have a say in the kinds of stories being told. Owning the rights or producing something gives me creative control — it’s how I see myself growing in this industry.

♡ Rich Tip ♡

I’m super hands-on with my finances now. I check in weekly with my business manager and actually understand where my money’s going. When I was younger, I didn’t really think about it — Coogan accounts and all that — but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve made it a point to be smart about saving and investing. One of the best things I’ve done with that is buying my dad a house. That meant everything to me.

Talking about Yogi’s House always makes me emotional — it’s my heart. I rescued my dog Yogi years ago after convincing a shelter to hold onto him a little longer, and that turned into something way bigger. We officially started the rescue in 2022, and we’ve already saved close to 400 dogs. We’re foster-based and we don’t discriminate by breed. Every single rescue story keeps me going.

A lot of people don’t know that I bought my dad a house. He gave up so much when I was younger to help me chase my dreams, so being able to give that back was huge for me. Oh, and when I was 11, I bought myself a Louis Vuitton bag that disappeared somewhere along the way… maybe that’s the universe reminding me to stay humble.