Lily Collins is currently the reigning queen of "aspirational escapism" for teens, largely because Emily in Paris offers a glossy, high-fashion world that feels like a Pinterest board come to life—but behind the designer berets, she’s also become a significant figure in the "clean girl" aesthetic and a vocal advocate for mental health and eating disorder recovery.
TL;DR: The Lily Collins Cheat Sheet
- The Big Hit: Emily in Paris is the primary driver of her fame right now, though it’s definitely more "mature" than its bright colors suggest.
- The Aesthetic: She is a major influence on Instagram and TikTok fashion trends, specifically "maximalism" and "French girl chic."
- The Deep Stuff: Her memoir, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, and her film To the Bone deal with serious topics like eating disorders and self-esteem.
- The Vibe: High-fashion, "main character energy," and surprisingly vulnerable.
If your teen is suddenly asking for a vintage Chanel jacket or trying to learn French on Duolingo, you can thank Lily Collins. While she’s been around for years—starring in things like Mirror Mirror and The Mortal Instruments—her role as Emily Cooper has turned her into a lifestyle icon.
For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Lily Collins represents "Main Character Energy." In a world that often feels chaotic, the polished, colorful, and relentlessly optimistic world of Emily in Paris feels like a safe, pretty place to land. It’s not "brain rot" in the way some mindless YouTube shorts can be; it’s high-production-value wish fulfillment.
According to our community data, about 45% of high school girls and an increasing number of middle schoolers have Emily in Paris in their "Recently Watched" queue. It’s the show they watch while doing skincare routines or scrolling through Pinterest.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the TV-MA rating. Netflix isn't kidding around here. While the show looks like a cupcake, it’s a cupcake spiked with quite a bit of vodka.
Emily in Paris features frequent "social" smoking, plenty of drinking, and a lot of casual sexual situations and dialogue. If you’re looking for a family-friendly watch, this isn't it. However, for 16 and 17-year-olds, it often serves as a conversation starter about workplace boundaries, romantic "red flags," and the reality vs. the facade of social media marketing.
If your younger teen is begging to watch it, you might want to suggest The Bold Type (TV-14) or even the classic Gossip Girl (TV-14) as alternatives that hit similar fashion/career notes with slightly less explicit content.
Ask our chatbot for shows similar to Emily in Paris but with lower age ratings
One of the reasons Screenwise parents actually appreciate Lily Collins is her transparency. Unlike many stars who maintain a "perfect" digital veneer, Collins has been incredibly open about her history with eating disorders.
Her book, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, is a collection of essays that many parents find helpful for their daughters to read. It covers body image, toxic relationships, and the pressure to be perfect.
She also starred in the Netflix film To the Bone. Heads up: This movie is a tough watch. It’s an honest, sometimes brutal look at anorexia. For a teen struggling with body image, it could be a powerful tool for empathy and understanding, but it could also be triggering. We recommend watching it with your teen or reading a full guide to To the Bone before hitting play.
Lily Collins doesn't just act; she influences. Her Instagram is a masterclass in "curated authenticity." Teens follow her not just for the behind-the-scenes Netflix content, but for the "clean girl" beauty tips and high-fashion inspiration.
This matters because it fuels the "consumption" cycle on apps like TikTok. When Lily wears a specific shade of lipstick or a certain style of boot, it trends. If your teen is suddenly obsessed with "French Girl Style," they are likely participating in a digital subculture that Collins helps lead.
Learn more about how social media aesthetics impact teen self-esteem
If your teen is a Lily Collins fan, here is how to navigate her filmography:
Ages 7+ This is the "safe" Lily Collins. It’s a whimsical, visually stunning retelling of Snow White. No sex, no heavy drama, just great costumes and a fun performance. It’s a great way for younger kids to see her work without the mature themes of her later projects.
Ages 13+ Based on the massive YA book series, this is peak teen fantasy. If your kid likes Twilight or The Hunger Games, they’ll probably enjoy this. It’s got action, romance, and some supernatural violence, but it’s squarely in the teen demographic.
Ages 16+ (with caution) As mentioned, this is a heavy-duty film about eating disorders. It’s excellent, but it’s not "entertainment." It’s a clinical, emotional deep dive. If your teen is interested in psychology or social issues, this is a profound watch, but definitely check our guide on discussing body image first.
Ages 16+ The main event. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s very "adult" in its themes of infidelity, career cut-throatedness, and sexuality. It’s the ultimate "guilty pleasure" show.
Instead of just rolling your eyes at the 14th beret your daughter has bought this month, use the Lily Collins obsession as a bridge:
- On Social Media Facades: "Emily's job is to make things look perfect on Instagram. Do you think her real life in the show matches her feed? How does that compare to how people use TikTok today?"
- On Body Image: "I read that Lily Collins wrote a book about her struggles with eating disorders. Why do you think someone who looks 'perfect' to the world would struggle with that?"
- On Career Ambition: "Emily is really focused on her job, even when it’s messy. What do you think about how she handles her boss and her coworkers?"
Q: Is Emily in Paris okay for a 12-year-old? Generally, no. While the bright colors and fashion look kid-friendly, the show is rated TV-MA for a reason, featuring significant sexual content, nudity, and adult language that most parents find inappropriate for middle schoolers.
Q: What is Lily Collins' most kid-friendly movie? Mirror Mirror is her most accessible film for younger audiences, offering a PG-rated, stylized take on the Snow White fairy tale.
Q: Does Lily Collins have a book for teens? Yes, her memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me is written specifically for a young adult audience and deals with self-esteem, body image, and personal growth.
Q: Why is Emily in Paris so controversial? The show is often criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of French culture and for Emily's "influencer" lifestyle which many find unrealistic, though these controversies often make it more popular with teens who enjoy the "hate-watch" or the escapism.
Lily Collins is more than just a Netflix star; she’s a digital tastemaker. Whether your teen is watching her for the fashion, the drama, or her advocacy, she’s a fixture in the current media landscape.
Emily in Paris might require some parental "filtering" for younger teens, but Collins herself provides a surprisingly grounded example of how to navigate fame, mental health, and the digital world with a bit of grace.
Check out our full list of Netflix recommendations for teens
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