My seven minutes with Lily Collins

Four years since the world woke up to Emily in Paris after it premiered in 2020 to polarising reviews, to now, when it’s been renewed for a fifth season, there’s no holding back Emily, or her European adventures. From the get-go, her life was a carefully curated series of playful adventures of an American girl in Paris. However, it wasn’t until last year when her maximalist fashion choices were starting to grow on me that I put aside a rather slow Sunday for the series, spending the rest of it until Monday, bingeing. More than the storytelling, it was Lily Collins, a natural performer who started acting at the age of two, who kept me coming back for more. Having seen her in the critically acclaimed young adult film, To The Bone (2017), I was fascinated by her versatility and charming disposition that fuelled what has easilybecome everyone’s favourite series internationally.

Not rogue, dystopian, or hard-hitting (a genre everyone, including me, had developed a penchant for, for a while), Emily in Paris is light-hearted and doesn’t take itself too seriously—exactly what you need to unwind after a hectic time at work or play. PSA: Lily Collins appeared in two episodes of the very popular teen drama 90210 (2008) and has often been compared to Audrey Hepburn for her amazing grace—something that maybe cultivated over time but must be inherent for it to last. As part of a global media mash-up while promoting her series, where I was given a 3:30am Zoom call slot and generously allotted seven minutes that I had to pro max to 20! (come on...I was going to be meeting Lily Collins...how could I not?). This, right here, is proof that prepping more than you’ve been asked to can work in your favour. Especially when you get the opportunity to sit down with a performer par excellence.

Pratishtha Dobhal: The show runner, Darren Star, had said how you and Emily are quite in sync with each other. What is the one character trait you don’t find in sync?

Lily Collins: She is not very social media savvy, and I like to think I know what I am doing but sometimes I think I can learn a thing or two from Emily. I have people in my life that are very much like her...and I lean on them to help me through things. Although I learn so many good things from Emily, I feel I could probably teach her about work-life balance—things like putting your phone down after a certain hour. And I say that fully knowing that sometimes I find myself doing that, but then, I have learnt a lot about work-life balance that she could take a few pointers from.

PD: Sartorial savviness is an integral part of the show as much as taking space. Did you ever feel that, through the course of the show, the outfits she wore, or the choices she made instilled a lot of confidence in the way you dressed?

LC: Yeah, you know how Emily puts outfits together and is bold and brave while doing it. It has made me bold and brave with my clothing choices and I feel confident wearing things
I know I wouldn’t have before. We have kind of influenced each other in that regard.

PD: The show has received both praise and criticism for the portrayal of Parisian culture. Do you feel that as an actor there’s a certain sense of responsibility you have to navigate through carefully?

LC: As an actor you know what’s on the page and how to bring it to life in a way only your character would. I think our show celebrates Paris and France. We love spending time there and our characters love it as much, and so our main job is to provide joy and a certain lightness that comes in a lot of different ways, like the use of comedy. Our job is to then lean in on the celebration of the city. And people will always have an opinion, but as long as you can make people smile at the end of the day...that’s the most important thing.

PD: If you were to describe the latest season in three words, how would you?

LC: Vulnerable, adventurous, and hilarious.

PD: Is there one piece of clothing from Emily’s wardrobe that you’d like to steal?

LC: There’s a lot of pieces! I would probably steal the black and white ball gown from this season, but I would never ever really be able to wear it again. So, I’d probably steal it
and then display it because it is such a beautiful work of art. Maybe I’d probably wear the catsuit underneath.

PD: Besides Emily in Paris, are there any roles or cinematic moments that helped you evolve into your own?

LC: Honestly, I think playing Rita in Mank (2020) that David Fincher directed and being able to spend so much time with Gary Oldman was such a joy. To be working with him and David was incredible. To watch and learn from the greatest at their craft was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. It was something that taught me a lot about myself in those environments and how to bring the best version of myself on the set.

PD: What’s the most satisfying thing about being a performer?

LC: Getting to explore different sides of myself and learn about myself through a character, and then to have my experiences inform the experiences of the character... and almost like therapy...work through something for another character. Also, I feel every time I play someone new, I learn a lot about myself along the way, which I think is really a gift to oneself. To harness your own experiences to relate to an audience is a brave thing, but also a very beautiful thing.

PD: It’s quite refreshing to know that you used to also write a column many moons ago...If you were to write a column for Cosmopolitan India, what would it be about?

LC: I love health and wellness. So I would be very interested in understanding the health and wellness culture in India...so maybe, it would be an exploration of that.

PD: What is the next adventure you can’t wait to be a part of this year?

LC: I am going to be in a play in London on the Westend called Barcelona, which I have never done before. I am so excited, and nervous. It’s a huge challenge for me and I am looking forward to it. It’s about a young woman from America who goes on her bachelorette trip and ends up meeting an older Spanish gentleman at the bar who she later goes home with. It’s about what happens throughout that evening... and it’s a thriller.

PD: Exciting! If you could fast forward 10 years from now, what do you see yourself doing?

LC: I hope that I am a mom at that point—I would love to be one. I want to continue producing and being a part of storytelling in front of the camera and off it, giving opportunities to others to tell their stories. And, of course, have that all important work-life balance.

PD: Are you Team Alfie or Team Gabrielle?

LC: I am Team Emily!

PD: Can’t let you go without asking, what’s a song that’s always playing on loop in your head while getting ready?

LC: Lizzo’s Am I Ready! 

This article originally appeared in the September-October 2024 issue of Cosmo India.


Also read: Taking a mental health day off: A necessity or a luxury?

Also read: Bubble hem dresses we're adding to cart rn