Emily Clarkson: The Writer and Campaigner Building a Powerful Voice for Women
Emily Clarkson is a British writer, author, podcaster, digital creator and women’s health campaigner. Although many people first knew her as Jeremy Clarkson’s eldest daughter, she has built a clear identity of her own. Her work covers body confidence, motherhood, online abuse, running, feminism and political participation. She has also spoken openly about severe pregnancy illness and major jaw surgery.
Born on 21 July 1994, Emily is 31 years old as of July 2026. She uses the professional name Em Clarkson and is based in London. Her career has moved from blogging and books to podcasting, social media, essays and campaigning.
Who Is Emily Clarkson?
Emily Harriet Clarkson is a British writer, blogger, author, former podcast host, runner and content creator. She is known for her work on women’s health, body image and digital culture.
Emily Clarkson’s Age and Early Life
Emily was born on 21 July 1994 in England. She is the eldest child of television presenter and journalist Jeremy Clarkson and his former wife, Frances Cain.
She has two younger siblings, a brother named Finlo Clarkson and a sister named Katya Clarkson. Both live away from regular media attention.
Emily attended Rugby School, an independent boarding school in Warwickshire. No university qualification has been firmly confirmed.
Building an Identity Beyond Her Family Name
Being the daughter of a famous television figure brought early attention, but Emily chose a different direction. Her work focuses on women’s experiences, self-worth, health, motherhood and social expectations.
She has also shown that family connection does not mean shared opinions. At times, she has disagreed with her father, especially on matters involving misogyny and the treatment of women in the media. Even so, family events show that they remain part of each other’s lives.
Emily Clarkson’s Writing Career
Writing sits at the centre of Emily’s career. Her style combines humour, personal detail and social comment.
The Pretty Normal Me Blog
Emily created the blog Pretty Normal Me during her early twenties. It became a space for discussing body image, feminism, dating, beauty pressure and the emotional effect of social media.
The name reflected her belief that women should not be forced to meet impossible standards or present a flawless life online.
The blog helped her build a loyal audience and opened the way to work in major British publications. She contributed to The Sun, The Sunday Times and Teen Tatler.
Emily Clarkson’s Books
Her best-known book is Can I Speak to Someone in Charge?, published in July 2017. It uses essays and open letters to explore sexism, body hair, dieting, beauty culture, relationships and the way women are judged.
A second title, Dear Pretty Normal Me, has also been connected with her work. Some book sources treat it as a separate publication, while her publisher’s current author page gives greater focus to Can I Speak to Someone in Charge?. The first book therefore remains the clearest part of her publishing career.
What Makes Her Writing Distinctive?
Emily writes in a conversational way that feels close to spoken language. She does not present herself as someone with perfect answers. Instead, she shares uncertainty, mistakes and personal growth.
This honesty helps her discuss shame, confidence, motherhood and illness with warmth.
Emily Clarkson and the Should I Delete That? Podcast
In 2021, Emily began co-hosting the podcast Should I Delete That? with writer and body confidence creator Alex Light.
The show explored the grey areas behind social media debates. Topics included body image, online abuse, eating disorders, relationships, shame, feminism, mental wellbeing and internet culture.
A Podcast Built on Honest Conversation
The programme mixed interviews with informal discussions. Both hosts questioned their own views and admitted when a subject was complex.
The regular run ended in December 2025 after four years. The archive remains an important part of Emily’s career, but she is now better described as a former regular co-host.
Emily Clarkson’s Instagram and Digital Work
Emily’s main social platform is Instagram, where she uses the name @em_clarkson. In figures shared in July 2026, she had 2,721 posts, 672,000 followers and 1,414 accounts followed.
Her biography says that she writes and runs, “not normally at the same time”, capturing her humour.
Her wider online presence includes Threads, LinkedIn and Substack. On LinkedIn, she describes herself as a writer, blogger, podcaster and author, with Rugby School shown in her education. Her Instagram biography also directs followers to The Have A Gos and gives a professional enquiries address through ADA Media, reflecting the organised commercial side of her career.
Content, Campaigning and Brand Partnerships
Her Instagram includes motherhood, running, beauty, health, body confidence, politics and family life. She also works with beauty and lifestyle brands.
One recent paid post promoted MERIT Clean Volume Mascara. She connected the product with her own insecurity about comments on her eyelashes. This reflects her commercial style, which often includes personal storytelling.
An Emirates-hosted Wimbledon visit also showed her love of tennis and the 2004 film Wimbledon.
Substack and Long-Form Essays
Emily now writes through Substack, where she publishes detailed personal essays on motherhood, health, identity, work and recovery.
One important essay reflects on pregnancy with hyperemesis gravidarum. The platform allows her to return to the longer writing style that first shaped Pretty Normal Me.
Marriage, Husband and Children
Emily married Alex Andrew in May 2022. He is a publicist and has supported parts of her creative work.
Their wedding took place on Jeremy Clarkson’s farm in Oxfordshire. Emily and Alex had been together for many years before marriage.
Emily Clarkson’s Daughters
The couple have two daughters. Their first child, Arlo Rose Andrew, was born in February 2023. Their second daughter, Xanthe Fiadh Andrew, was born in December 2024.
Emily shares parts of motherhood online but keeps many details private, focusing on the realities of parenting.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Women’s Health Advocacy
Emily experienced hyperemesis gravidarum, known as HG, during pregnancy. HG is a severe form of pregnancy sickness that can cause constant vomiting, dehydration, weight loss and hospital treatment.
She described needing medical care and spoke about antenatal depression and trauma.
Turning Personal Pain into Public Action
Emily used her platform to explain that HG is far more serious than ordinary morning sickness. Her honesty helped bring attention to the lack of understanding and uneven care faced by many pregnant women.
In 2026, Peanut named her one of its Changemakers. The organisation praised her role in influencing discussion within the Women’s Health Strategy and supporting women affected by hyperemesis.
Her message is clear: women should receive proper care, respect and treatment, and no one should feel that severe illness is something they must simply endure.
Jaw Surgery and Body Confidence
Emily underwent major jaw surgery in 2021. She has explained that her jaw was surgically broken and repositioned with metal plates.
Recovery brought swelling, pain and the strange feeling of looking unfamiliar in the mirror.
This experience strengthened her wider message about body image. She has shown how lighting, posing and editing can change how someone looks online. Rather than demanding constant self-love, she encourages a kinder and more realistic relationship with the body.
Running and The Have A Gos Community
Running has become another major part of Emily’s life. She has explained that exercise once came from dislike of her body, but later became a source of strength, friendship and enjoyment.
She has completed endurance events, including the London Marathon, and has spoken honestly about training after childbirth.
What Is The Have A Gos?
Emily is connected with The Have A Gos, often called HAGS. The community encourages women to try races, sports and physical challenges without feeling they must be fast or highly skilled.
The idea is simple: participation matters. People can walk, rest, learn and still feel proud. This message makes sport more welcoming for those who have never seen themselves as athletic.
Feminism, Politics and Public Voice
Emily frequently discusses feminism, misogyny and the way women are treated online. She has spoken against abuse, unrealistic beauty standards and pressure for women to remain quiet.
She also encourages political engagement. In one recent post, she warned that public apathy can strengthen the far right and urged people to learn, vote and take part in democracy.
Her political content is issue-based. There is no clear evidence of formal membership in a political party or of an elected role.
Emily Clarkson’s Public Influence
Emily has built a career combining personal storytelling with social purpose across books, podcasting, digital creation and health campaigning.
Her influence comes from being open about experiences that many people hide. Whether discussing pregnancy illness, insecurity, surgery, motherhood or political fear, she speaks with honesty and humour.
Why Her Work Matters
Emily does not claim to have every answer. She often admits when a subject needs more care or detail. That willingness to recognise complexity gives her work credibility.
Her greatest strength is making people feel less alone. She turns private pain into shared understanding and uses her platform to challenge the pressures women are expected to accept.
Final Thoughts on Emily Clarkson
Emily Clarkson is far more than the daughter of a famous broadcaster. She is a writer, author, former podcast host, runner, mother, creator and campaigner with a strong voice of her own.
Her journey from Pretty Normal Me to books, podcasting, Substack and health advocacy shows steady growth. She continues to speak about women’s lives with warmth, courage and clarity.
As her career develops, her central message remains consistent: women deserve honesty, dignity, care and the freedom to live without impossible standards.
FAQs
1. Who is Emily Clarkson?
Emily Clarkson, also known as Em Clarkson, is a British writer, author, digital creator, runner and women’s health campaigner. She is known for her book Can I Speak to Someone in Charge?, the podcast Should I Delete That? and her work on body confidence, motherhood and hyperemesis gravidarum.
2. How old is Emily Clarkson?
Emily Clarkson was born on 21 July 1994. She is 31 years old as of July 2026 and will turn 32 on 21 July 2026.
3. Who are Emily Clarkson’s parents?
Emily Clarkson’s parents are British television presenter and journalist Jeremy Clarkson and his former wife, Frances Cain.
4. Is Emily Clarkson married?
Yes, Emily Clarkson is married to publicist Alex Andrew. The couple married in May 2022 and have two daughters together.
5. Does Emily Clarkson have any siblings?
Yes, Emily Clarkson has two younger siblings. Her brother is Finlo Clarkson, and her sister is Katya Clarkson.
