Filming a hit show is never easy. For Lily Collins, it became even more challenging this year. The actress returned to work on Emily in Paris Season 5 just three months after becoming a mom.
Lily welcomed her baby girl, Tove Jane McDowell, through surrogacy earlier this year with her husband, director Charlie McDowell. Soon after, she was back on set, playing the stylish and ambitious Emily Cooper. While fans saw glamour on screen, Lily was facing a very real struggle behind the scenes.
In a recent interview with People, Lily shared that this was her first job as a mother. She said returning to work felt very different this time. Before becoming a mom, she was known for being very perfect and fully prepared. She memorized everything and rarely made mistakes. But motherhood changed that.
Lily explained that being tired, emotional, and missing her baby made it hard to work the same way. She admitted that she could not do everything perfectly anymore. Instead of hiding her feelings, she chose to be honest with her co-stars and crew. She told them she was not sleeping much, felt exhausted, and missed her daughter deeply.
This was a big change for Lily. In the past, she would never talk about personal struggles at work. She would push herself and say, “Just get over it.” This time, she allowed herself to ask for patience and understanding.
She also revealed something surprising. Lily said she had never been part of a gag reel before because she rarely messed up scenes. But during Season 5, she made more mistakes than usual. Instead of feeling bad, she enjoyed it. She said it gave her more freedom and more fun while filming.
Despite the challenges, Lily kept going and finished the season. Emily in Paris Season 5 premiered on December 18 and is now streaming on Netflix.
This season of the romantic drama series shows not just Emily’s journey, but also Lily’s real-life growth. Her story proves that becoming a parent can change how you work, think, and live. It also shows that asking for help is not a weakness, but a strength.