By Steven heen 
Meet Emily Mae Young — an American former child actress and TV personality born on February 14, 1990, in Orange County, California, USA. As of 2025 she is 35 years old.
Her physical attributes are Height: 5’5” (165 cm), Weight: 50‑55 kg, with blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and a slim body type. These details map her early career as a Hollywood child star in the 1990s.
She first made her mark as a child actress, appearing in commercials and then moving into television. Her breakout role came on the sitcom Step by Step, where she played Lily Foster‑Lambert. Today she lives a more private, low-profile lifestyle yet retains a loyal nostalgic audience.
Profile Summary: Emily Mae Young
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Emily Mae Young |
| Date of Birth | February 14, 1990 |
| Age | 35 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Orange County, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’5” (165 cm) |
| Weight | 50–55 kg |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Skin Tone | Fair |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Profession | Former Child Actress, TV Personality |
| Famous Role | Lily Finnerty in Step by Step |
| Notable TV Shows | Step by Step, Grounded for Life |
| Net Worth (2025) | ~$2 million |
| Hobbies/Interests | Hiking, Photography, Reading self-improvement books, Competitive Swimming |
Early Life and Background
Emily grew up in Orange County, California in a family prioritising normalcy despite early exposure to acting. She won the “Little Miss Apple Dumpling” pageant at age four and collected her first taste of fame with commercials for brands like Welch’s juice and Sears.
Her childhood can be characterised by two competing forces: the thrill of early success and the challenge of balancing a healthy childhood with work commitments. She engaged in competitive swimming, enjoyed hiking and photography later on, and focused on education as a stabilising anchor. These personal interests provide insight into how she built resilience beyond her acting career.
Breakout Role: Step by Step
On the sitcom Step by Step (1996‑98), Emily took on the role of Lily Foster‑Lambert, joining the cast during the show’s later seasons.
This role served as her career breakthrough—one of those moments where a young actor becomes recognisable and transitions into being a household face. As a Hollywood child star she then leveraged this visibility for other TV roles and commercial appearances.
The Rise to Fame
Following her breakout role, Emily’s acting trajectory involved a mix of television appearances, film work and advertising. For example, she appeared in the movie “Undercover Angel” in 1999.
Her public image during that era was shaped by media portrayal of child actors managing early fame. She had to navigate the transition from child star to adult identity—a common theme in the acting industry. Though she didn’t pursue high-profile adult roles for long, her early success built a solid acting legacy anchored in television shows and reruns that continued to generate residual income.
Awards and Recognition
While Emily did not rack up major awards, she was nominated for youth-centric honours such as the YoungStar Award for her role on Step by Step.
These accolades, though modest, underscore her recognition as a talented young performer. They also highlight how accolades for child actors often differ from adult ones—but still add to credibility and industry memory.
Emily Mae Young Net Worth (2025)
As of 2025, Emily Mae Young’s net worth is estimated at approximately US $2 million.
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Notes |
| 2025 | ~$2 million | Based on early acting income, residuals and commercial earnings across her career. |
She achieved financial stability through early earnings and continues to benefit from residual income from reruns, commercials and syndication of her early work. Her wealth accumulation illustrates how child‑actor earnings can create long‑term financial foundations even after the spotlight fades.
Sources of Income
Emily’s income streams include:
- Acting roles: TV series memberships, film appearances.
- Commercial appearances: Early ad campaigns (e.g., Welch’s, Sears).
- Residuals / royalties: Earnings from reruns of Step by Step and other shows.
- Brand deals / selective engagement: Though less visible than current influencers, she engages selectively online.
By diversifying income beyond just “acting now,” Emily positioned herself for long-term wealth beyond her peak years in the early 2000s.
Media Portrayal and Public Image
Emily Mae Young’s public image is rooted in the nostalgic aura of 1990s sitcoms. She’s seen as a former child star who opted for a low-profile lifestyle rather than perpetual celebrity. Media portrayals emphasise her early fame and her choice of a quieter, personal trajectory.
Her fanbase consists of viewers who watched her show growing up—a nostalgic audience now in adulthood. The way she maintained celebrity privacy while still honouring her acting legacy adds to her positive image among loyal fans.
Social Media and Public Engagement
Unlike many former TV personalities, Emily does not maintain a high-volume social media presence. Her Instagram account shows occasional content such as photography or brand collaborations.
She engages with her audience in a measured way—highlighting personal interests, behind-the-scenes memories and soft brand deals. That approach preserves both privacy and authenticity. For an audience used to constant social noise, her selective engagement feels intentional and grounded.
Family and Relationships
Emily grew up in a family that valued privacy and normalcy, despite her early exposure to Hollywood. She has kept her personal romantic relationships largely undisclosed, honouring her private life rather than inviting constant media scrutiny.
That choice reflects a broader theme: given childhood fame, she prioritized a stable, balanced personal development and maintained strong familial roots away from the spotlight.
Hobbies and Interests
Beyond the screen, Emily engages in multiple hobbies which reveal a fuller picture of her life:
- Hiking: Enjoys exploring nature trails as a way to unwind.
- Photography: Uses her visuals to reflect aesthetic sensibility and creative curiosity.
- Reading self-improvement books: She invests time in personal growth and reflective practices.
- Competitive swimming: In her earlier years, she participated in swimming — an early discipline that parallels her acting commitment.
These activities reinforce how her identity extends beyond “sitcom star” into broader personal development and lifestyle interests.
Lesser-Known Facts About Emily Mae Young
Here are some intriguing tidbits you may not know:
- She won the Little Miss Apple Dumpling pageant at the age of four, earning $100.
- Her first television exposure was via commercials for Welch’s and Sears when she was still very young.
- Though she starred in major sitcoms, she chose a slower career pace rather than making a constant public presence — aligning with her preference for lower-profile living.
- She remains a figure of the 1990s era for many fans — a touchstone for nostalgia, rather than a current A-list actor.
These little facts deepen the story beyond the acting credits and highlight how childhood opportunities laid the groundwork for long-term trajectories.
How Emily Mae Young Influences Culture & Trends
Though no longer a regular face on major networks, Emily’s influence persists. She symbolises the transition from child star to adult life outside of mainstream celebrity press. For many in the early-2000s generation, she embodies a cultural moment: the sitcom star from their youth revisited in reruns and online archives.
Her presence in reruns and syndication helps maintain a cultural impact—providing younger viewers or rebroadcast fans a sense of connection to that era of television. Her decision to stay relatively away from the limelight also sets a subtle trend: you can be successful, recognised, yet choose your own path.
Emily Mae Young’s Upcoming Projects
At this time, there are no widely announced major acting projects for Emily Mae Young. She appears to have stepped back from full-time acting and may focus more on personal endeavours, selective brand collaborations or behind-the-scenes work.
That said, her legacy and presence in TV show reruns like Step by Step mean she will continue to benefit from existing work and residuals. For fans and pop-culture watchers, that means her footprint remains active even without new major roles.
Emily Mae Young’s Fans and Legacy
Emily’s fanbase remains loyal, especially among people who grew up watching her in the 1990s. Her acting legacy as a memorable child actress in a cult-favorite show holds enduring appeal.
From a broader view, her legacy is less about blockbuster fame and more about longevity, nostalgia and quiet consistency. She reminds us that you don’t always need constant headlines to maintain relevance—sometimes a strong early role + steady income + personal values do the trick.
FAQs
What is Emily Mae Young’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth in 2025 is around US $2 million, thanks to earnings from acting roles, commercials, and residual income.
Why did Emily Mae Young stop acting?
While she hasn’t publicly given full details, she appears to have shifted focus after her early 2000s fame toward a more private life and fewer acting roles—preferring selective engagement rather than a constant Hollywood schedule.
What is Emily Mae Young’s most famous role?
Her most famous role is Lily Foster‑Lambert on the sitcom Step by Step (1996‑98).
Is Emily Mae Young married?
There’s no widely confirmed public information about her marital status. She keeps her personal relationships private.
What are Emily Mae Young’s hobbies?
She enjoys hiking, photography, reading self-improvement books, and in earlier years was involved in competitive swimming.
Does Emily Mae Young have any upcoming projects?
As of 2025 there are no major publicly announced projects; however her past work continues to generate public interest and residual earnings.
Conclusion
Emily Mae Young’s journey—from early childhood pageant winner to commercial star to breakout sitcom child actress—illustrates how early gigs can create lasting momentum. Her estimated net worth of ~US $2 million speaks to smart wealth accumulation via acting roles, commercials, residuals and brand/royalty streams.
Rather than chasing constant fame, she chose a quieter, grounded path—honouring her personal development and hobbies. That decision gives her a unique place among former child stars: not a constant headline maker, but a respected figure whose cultural impact still resonates.