Julia Roberts is a priceless jewel in the talent mine of Hollywood. Known for her roles in high-grossing films like Notting Hill, Pretty Woman, and Runaway Bride among others, she was one of the leading ladies of Hollywood in the 90s.

Despite having a versatile vitae, and around seventy acting projects under her belt, there is but one genre Roberts is not keen on working in.

Or watching. Even if the project is made by her dearest friend or stars a family member, Roberts made it clear that she won’t be getting involved in anything horror.

As fate would have it, this is exactly what happened with Roberts’s close friend Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, which starred her niece Emma Roberts.

Julia Roberts Won’t Watch Her Niece in American Horror Story

Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts
Being an accomplished actor, a successful producer, and a brand ambassador for luxury brands, Julia Roberts made a name for herself on her own. The Academy Award Winner is an inspiration to millions across the globe. As she is to her niece Emma Roberts.

The stories of Julia Roberts doting on her niece have been often shared with the media by both actresses.  Emma Roberts got bit by the acting bug by visiting her aunt on set. And the three-time Golden Globe awardee has shown her support for Emma Roberts’ acting career.

Emma Roberts in American Horror Story
But one time Roberts denied watching the show which brought her niece the most recognition. The Erin Brockovich star reasoned that horror is not her cup of tea, she gets too scared. As Roberts shared the conversation she had with her niece about not being able to watch her show with Entertainment Weekly:

“And then Emma’s on it and I say, ‘Emma, sweetheart, I don’t think I can watch this show that you’re in.’ And she goes, ‘Auntie, I was in this toy box at the end of this bed and they pulled my arm off.’ I go, ‘Okay. You just have to stop talking. I can’t handle it.’ So that is off the table for me. I don’t watch things like that.”

Getting spooked too easily combined with a loved one being part of the world of horror is not Julia Roberts’ idea of fun.

Julia Roberts Denied Working in American Horror Story

Julia Roberts
When it came down to it, it is no surprise that Roberts denied being a part or a spectator of Ryan Murphy‘s horrifying world. Murphy and Roberts are long-time friends but when Roberts found out about the show, she called Murphy to make her position clear. As she recalled to Entertainment Weekly:
 “You know everybody divides the world into two groups? My two groups are people that like to be scared and people who don’t like to be scared. The first season of American Horror Story came out and I called Ryan and I said, ‘I’m just going to tell you right now — I don’t think I can watch your show. I can’t support you. I don’t think I can do it.’
Thankfully, both Murphy and Emma Roberts were understanding of Roberts’ situation. And through this, Roberts’ fans got an explanation of why she has never done a horror movie.