At just 12 years old, Chyler Emery is redefining what it means to be a multi-hyphenate star. With over 300,000 YouTube subscribers and a history of viral Dhar Mann performances, Chyler is now taking the 2026 Sundance Film Festival by storm in the bold new feature, The Musical.
Acting alongside industry titans like Rob Lowe and Gillian Jacobs, Chyler brings a fearless energy to the screen—an authenticity she mirrors in her personal life. Despite the daily challenges of scoliosis, she uses her platform to prove that physical obstacles can’t dim a creative spark. We sat down with the rising star to discuss her Sundance debut, filming bloopers with legends, and why being different is her greatest strength.
WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER, CHYLER EMERY. FOR READERS WHO ARE JUST DISCOVERING YOU, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY SO FAR?
Hi! My name is Chyler Emery and I’m 12 years old. I’m a singer, dancer, actress and content creator. I have a YouTube channel with over 300,000 subscribers where I post things like Sephora challenges, funny skits, scoliosis, singing, dancing and videos with my mom and dad. I’ve also been in multiple Dhar Mann videos and movies, including one that is premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. I also have scoliosis and I really want to inspire other kids to follow their dreams no matter what challenges they face.
YOU’RE MAKING A MAJOR SPLASH AT THE 2026 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WITH THE MUSICAL. WHAT WAS IT LIKE STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF CINDY IN SUCH A BOLD, UNCONVENTIONAL FILM?
Playing Cindy in The Musical was such an amazing experience. I loved her character because she represents confident and unapologetic teens. She’s funny and a little sassy, which definitely feels like me. Our director, Giselle Bonilla, did an incredible job of guiding us while still letting us bring our own versions of our characters to life. That made the experience really special.
WORKING ALONGSIDE ACTORS LIKE ROB LOWE AND GILLIAN JACOBS IS A BIG MOMENT FOR ANY PERFORMER. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM BEING ON SET WITH SUCH SEASONED TALENT?
Working with Rob Lowe, Gillian Jacobs, and Will Brill was unforgettable. Rob introduced himself to all of us right away and was so kind and funny. Will was also incredibly sweet and made filming really fun. What stood out to me most was how they balanced being professional while still enjoying themselves. They worked hard when it was time to focus, but they also laughed at mistakes and bloopers, which showed me that even the best actors don’t get everything perfect on the first take.
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE KNOW YOU FROM YOUR VIRAL DHAR MANN PERFORMANCES. HOW DID THAT GLOBAL DIGITAL SUCCESS SHAPE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND CAREER AS A YOUNG ACTRESS?
I’ve always loved watching Dhar Mann because every story has an important lesson. I never expected so many people around the world would see my episodes and recognize me from them. Seeing that reach really showed my mom and me how powerful YouTube can be, and that’s a big reason we decided to start our own channel. Being able to make people smile and positively impact others is something I want to do through acting, singing, dancing and my YouTube content.
YOU ARE NOT JUST AN ACTRESS BUT ALSO A SINGER, DANCER, AND CONTENT CREATOR. HOW DO YOU BALANCE ALL THESE CREATIVE OUTLETS WHILE STAYING TRUE TO YOUR ARTISTIC VOICE?
I think it’s really cool to have so many ways to be creative. Different people connect with different types of content, so having multiple outlets allows me to reach more people. For example, some kids might watch my YouTube videos but not follow my dance journey and vice versa. My parents and I always talk through opportunities together to make sure everything I do feels authentic. It’s very important to all of us I stay true to who I am, even when I’m playing a character.
YOU’VE BEEN VERY OPEN ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY WITH SCOLIOSIS AND YOUR ADVOCACY WORK. WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORY SO PUBLICLY?
I wanted to share my scoliosis journey so other kids who feel “different” don’t feel alone. It’s important to me people know I’m not ashamed of my diagnosis. If I can be open about something personal, I hope it encourages others not to hide what makes them unique. Even though I wear a brace for 18–20 hours a day and have for a couple years, I want people to see it doesn’t stop me from chasing my dreams and accomplishing my goals.
YOU OFTEN SAY THAT BEING “DIFFERENT” IS A SUPERPOWER. HOW HAS THAT BELIEF GUIDED THE WAY YOU APPROACH YOUR CAREER AND LIFE?
I’ve always believed in just being myself. I don’t want to be anyone else because they’re already taken. Embracing what makes me different helps me make choices that feel true to who I am. I think it’s easy to get caught up in doing what we think others want to see, but I try to make creative and professional decisions that feel authentic to me.
LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT KIND OF ROLES AND STORIES DO YOU HOPE TO BE KNOWN FOR AS YOUR CAREER CONTINUES TO GROW?
I would love to play a mix of roles, like something dark and mysterious similar to Stranger Things, as well as roles like Alexa & Katie that are fun but also emotional. I’m really drawn to stories that make people feel something. I’d also love to be part of a project with a story that’s completely uniques and never done before.
You can connect with Chyler Emery through Instagram @chyler_emeryy, TikTok @chyleremery, and YouTube @chyleremery
