Emma Chamberlain, the internet’s favorite relatable influencer, just dropped some serious tea on her podcast Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain. In an episode titled “How My First Boyfriend Broke Me Mentally and Emotionally,” Emma took us on a journey through her first romantic relationship — a nine-month emotional rollercoaster that left her gutted. And while she kept the guy’s identity anonymous, fans are speculating (based on the timeline, of course) that it’s likely… or totally 100% Ethan Dolan.
Emma didn’t hold back on the gory details, describing the highs of finally being with her long-time crush and the soul-crushing lows of their breakup.
A Breakdown Of Emma Chamberlain And Ethan Dolan’s Alleged Relationship
Emma’s first relationship started when she was 17 (about six years ago) — a time when she was still figuring out who she was. She described feeling insecure about her femininity and body, making the relationship feel like a personal triumph. I mean, what’s more validating than your biggest crush wanting to date you? But after nine months of dating, Ethma (Ethan/Emma) broke up, leaving Emma in a puddle of tears, Jersey Shore reruns, and SoulCycle-induced endorphins. We’ve all been there.
“That relationship felt like a lifetime to me,” she says in her podcast. “I thought they were my soulmate and I’d never feel that same way again.” Ah, first love.
But the relationship didn’t end there, according to the Anything Goes podcaster. Roughly three months post-breakup, Emma tried to rekindle things with her ex despite his clear stance: hookups were fine, but commitment? Nah. Cue an on-again, off-again situationship filled with mixed signals and heartbreak. He allegedly even promised exclusivity at one point, only to ghost her the very next day. The back-and-forth left Emma emotionally fried, punching walls (metaphorically, we think) and grappling with whether to respond to his inevitable “hey” text.
Eventually, in a fit of rage from all of the emotional whiplash, she threw her phone at a wall. “I’m so grateful I had that meltdown,” she admits. Seeing her screen shattered was a wake-up call for Emma. She realized how unhealthy their dynamic had become and that it was time to close this chapter finally. Thank god!
Why Emma’s First Boyfriend Story Is Totally Relatable
If you’ve ever ugly-cried over a breakup or let a toxic situationship ruin your life for a solid three months, congrats — you and Emma are soul sisters. First loves have a way of convincing us we’ll never love again, and Emma’s story perfectly captures that irrational yet universal feeling.
When Emma describes being tempted by the devil on her shoulder urging her to text back her emotionally unavailable ex… it’s like she was describing me, and I bet a lot of us have been there too. I mean, haven’t we all spiraled into a “we’re just friends” dynamic that ends in accidental hookups? Emma’s willingness to be vulnerable about her mistakes — and eventually choosing herself — is a reminder that we’ve all been there and can make it out to the other side despite how crushed we may feel in the moment.
So, thanks for the free group therapy session, Emma. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to delete some texts and book a SoulCycle class.
