Emmy Newman is the great-niece of Oscar-winner Paul Newman and granddaughter of production manager Arthur Newman. She was born in the Bay Area, California. She was educated at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she studied both Psychology and Theater. While attending, she was awarded an academic scholarship for her work in the Theater Department, recognized for her performance as Queen Marguerite in Ionesco's "Exit the King," and received a vocal scholarship to study singing.