Ayo Edebiri is having a moment—and now one of Hollywood’s biggest stars is making it official. Julia Roberts recently opened up about her close friendship with the rising star, giving fans a rare peek into a bond that began on set and quickly grew into something much deeper.
The 58-year-old Oscar winner shared her thoughts while discussing the awards buzz around their latest film, After the Hunt. As Roberts campaigns for a Golden Globe nomination, Edebiri is also enjoying a surge of attention in Hollywood. What started as a professional collaboration soon turned into a genuine personal connection, built on trust, admiration, and shared experiences during filming.
Their friendship took shape during the production of After the Hunt, which hit theaters in October 2025. Roberts set the tone early by inviting the entire cast—including Andrew Garfield, Chloë Sevigny, and Michael Stuhlbarg—to her California home for an extended rehearsal period before cameras rolled. The time spent together helped the cast form real bonds off-screen, something Roberts later described as incredibly meaningful.
According to Roberts, one particularly intense scene brought her and Edebiri even closer. During filming, Edebiri’s character delivers a slap to Roberts’ character, a moment that required a high level of trust. Roberts revealed that this scene was a turning point, solidifying their connection and deepening their mutual respect.
Since finishing the film, Roberts has stayed in close contact with Edebiri, Garfield, and director Luca Guadagnino. When asked what they talk about now, Roberts simply said “life,” making it clear their relationship goes far beyond the typical Hollywood networking circle.
Roberts grew emotional as she spoke about Edebiri, praising her talent and spirit. She described Edebiri as one of the most gifted young people she has ever worked with and made it clear the bond is here to stay. Calling her a “friend for life,” Roberts said she’s not letting this connection slip away.
While her friendship with Roberts has drawn new attention, Ayo Edebiri’s career stands strong on its own. Born in Boston in 1995, she rose to prominence with her breakout role as Sydney Adamu on FX’s critically acclaimed series The Bear. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s most exciting young talents. To prepare for the role, she even trained at the Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles.
Edebiri’s path to fame wasn’t always obvious. She entered New York University planning to become a teacher but changed course after a student-teaching experience made her rethink her future. She later pivoted to dramatic writing and graduated in 2017, setting the stage for her eventual success in television and film.
Beyond acting, Edebiri has also used her platform to speak out on industry issues. She has pushed back against inappropriate questions about coworkers and used major award-show moments to highlight the contributions of behind-the-scenes assistants, earning respect for her candor and integrity.
As her star continues to rise, both Edebiri’s career and her growing circle of high-profile friendships are drawing intense interest. Julia Roberts’ emotional words have only amplified the buzz, positioning Ayo Edebiri as not just a breakout talent—but a lasting presence in Hollywood.
