They walked across the graduation stage together in 2024, the two youngest Johnstons, side by side. Two years later, Alex and Emma Johnston are no longer the kids trailing behind their older siblings — they are two young adults building very different lives, and fans cannot agree on whose transformation is more impressive.
With 7 Little Johnstons Season 18 premiering Tuesday, November 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC, the show’s youngest two are stepping into the spotlight at the same time — one chasing a ring, the other chasing freedom. So let’s settle it the only way this fandom knows how: pick a side.
From Graduation Caps to Grown-Up Lives
Alex and Emma graduated high school together in 2024, a milestone their mother Amber celebrated publicly. Since then, their paths have split in the most Johnston way possible: Alex went all-in on love, while Emma went all-in on herself.
Alex: The Hopeless Romantic With a Ring on His Mind
Alex Johnston has never been shy about what he wants. According to TV Season & Spoilers, he has spoken openly about hoping to get engaged to longtime girlfriend Allie Smith next year, and eventually moving to work on her family’s farm. Allie, who lives in Ohio, has been with Alex through a long-distance relationship that fans have followed since the couple went public.
The romance hit a new high note this month: Allie received the American FFA Degree, a top honor in the youth agriculture organization, and the Johnston family publicly celebrated her achievement. Alex was not there in person, but he made sure his congratulations were public all the same.
Not everyone is cheering the fast-forward button, though. According to reports, Allie’s parents have set boundaries around the couple moving in together before marriage, and brother Jonah has said his younger brother should not marry before him. Some fans have also questioned whether Alex is prioritizing marriage over education and career plans. The ring talk, in other words, comes with a family debate attached.
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Emma Johnston’s glow-up looks nothing like her brother’s — and that is the point. The youngest Johnston daughter took her first-ever solo flight to volunteer at camp, a moment she announced with a smiling airport selfie and the caption, “And she’s off!” For a young woman who has spoken about having a limited social life, traveling alone was a genuine first.
Since then, Emma has been living what she calls her best life. According to TV Season & Spoilers (October 13, 2026), she posted a mirror selfie in a light blue dress covered in tiny pearls with the caption, “just a girl livin her best life,” and shared a starstruck visit to the Dancing with the Stars set — as a fan, not a contestant, despite the rumors that briefly swirled.
She is also deep in her aunt era. Emma has shared sweet photos holding her new nephew Coleman, born September 8, 2026 to Liz and Brice, writing that they made her “the happiest aunt on earth,” with a shout-out to niece Leighton too. And in the Season 18 trailer, Emma delivers the line fans are already quoting: asked if she wants a boyfriend, she answers a simple, unhesitant “Yes.”
Same Finish Line, Different Races
Here is what makes the Alex-versus-Emma debate so fun: neither sibling got here alone. Emma was the one who playfully announced Alex’s relationship to the world years ago, and when Alex celebrated Allie’s graduation in May 2025, Emma was right there in the photos.
Their bond is also the quiet constant in a family season defined by change. With Anna departed from the series and the older siblings building their own households, Alex and Emma are the last two still writing their “leaving the nest” story at the same time — just in opposite directions. One is building a life with someone. The other is building a life on her own terms first.
Season 18 Puts Them Both Center Stage
Season 18, premiering November 17, gives both storylines room to breathe. According to The Ashley’s Reality Roundup (October 31, 2026), Emma’s dating life becomes a full storyline, with Allie and Ashley reportedly attempting to play matchmaker — seemingly with Joose, the family’s former foreign exchange guest. To be clear: TLC has not announced Emma is dating anyone, and the matchmaking chatter remains fan speculation and according to reports, not a confirmed couple.
For Alex, the season will test whether the engagement talk turns into action — and whether the family debates around timing, the farm, and Jonah’s “not before me” stance become a real storyline or stay as background noise.
Two siblings. Two glow-ups. One family watching every step. The only question left is the one fans have been arguing about in the comments all week: whose transformation wins?
Team Alex or Team Emma — who had the bigger glow-up? Drop your pick in the comments, and tell us why. No fence-sitting allowed.
Sources
- The Ashley’s Reality Roundup, “A New Baby, Menopause & More: Get the Details on ‘7 Little Johnstons’ Season 18 & Watch the Trailer” (October 31, 2026) — https://www.theashleysrealityroundup.com/2026/10/31/a-new-baby-menopause-more-get-the-details-on-7-little-johnstons-season-18-watch-the-trailer/
- TV Season & Spoilers, “7 Little Johnstons: Emma Johnston Shows Off Stunning Glow-Up As She Embraces Her Freedom!” (October 13, 2026) — https://www.tvseasonspoilers.com/news/7-little-johnstons-emma-johnston-shows-off-stunning-glow-up-as-she-embraces-her-freedom/
- TV Season & Spoilers, “7 Little Johnstons: Alex & Allie’s New Milestone” (October 27, 2026) — https://www.tvseasonspoilers.com/news/7-little-johnstons-alex-and-allie-prepare-for-a-relationship-milestone/
- Parade, “‘7 Little Johnstons’ Alex & Girlfriend Allie Share Major Announcement” (May 21, 2025) — https://parade.com/news/7-little-johnstons-alex-girlfriend-allie-share-major-announcement-life-update-graduation-photo
