Modern Family star Aubrey Anderson-Emmons changes name as she makes major career change

Modern Family's Aubrey Anderson-Emmons has changed her name as she makes a career change.

The 18-year-old is, of course, best known for playing Lily Tucker-Pritchett (fans know the importance of that hyphen) on Modern Family.

She made her debut on the popular TV show at just four-years-old and was quickly loved for her snappy one-liners and iconic attitude.

Rocketing her into spotlight as a child star, she stayed in the US sitcom until it came to an end in 2020 after 11 seasons.

And at the age of 12 at the time, the teen decided she wasn’t ‘gonna act anymore.’

But while she might be leaving the acting to the side (for now at least), she isn’t totally straying outside of the world of entertainment. Although, she’s leaving ‘Aubrey Anderson-Emmons’ behind to be Frances Anderson.

The icon herself. (ABC)

This new name comes as she pivots to a career in music, having just released her first EP, Drown.

“Frances is actually part of my legal name—it’s my middle name, and it’s after my mom’s old family friend,” she told E! News.

“I thought, one, it was a bit shorter than ‘Aubrey Anderson-Emmons.’ I do have a long, hyphenated last name.”

Plus, Anderson figured it worked well as she starts off her new music venture.

“I wanted to switch it up and I wanted people to see a new side of me. And I wanted to create a space specifically just for music,” she added.

While the star had taken singing lessons throughout much of her life, it wasn’t until Modern Family was coming to its end that she decided music was her passion.

“I think I really had to take a step back from acting,” she said of the realisation.

Anderson was 12 when the show came to an end. (Eric McCandless via Getty Images)

However, that’s changed a little after time as Anderson added: “And I do now, I plan on acting again—100 percent.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the child actor learned how to play guitar and having been homeschooled throughout her time on TV, she went to high school.

“I learned to really write during my high school music class, and before then I’ve always been a singer,” she explained.

“One of my big dreams in life was to be on Broadway. I’m still hoping to do that one day—fingers crossed.”

Her (Modern) family have shown their support for her new venture, particularly onscreen dad, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who she keeps most in touch with.

“He’s commented every now and then, and pulled up on my Story and been like, ‘Wow, you sound so great.’ Which is awesome. He’s always been so supportive,” Anderson said.