Lily Collins’ decision to cut her hair for Season 5 of Emily in Paris comes from a blend of personal style choices and the show’s creative process, sparking new wardrobe ideas and on‑screen dialogue.
The Bob Decision Behind the Scenes
TODAY lifestyle contributor Jill Martin asked Collins in Venice whether the bob belonged to the character Emily or to Lily herself. Collins answered, “Lily got the bob.” She explained that she usually receives haircuts first, then costume designer Marylin Fitoussi draws inspiration from the new look to design wardrobe for the next season. Collins then goes to creator Darren Star and says, “Hey, can I keep it?”
The series, which returns for Season 5 on Dec. 18, has kept Emily’s long, brunette locks almost unchanged, except for a brief moment in the Season 3 premiere when she cut her own bangs. Collins said the bangs were part of a storyline involving her friend Ashley Park, who was quoted as saying, “Trauma bangs.”
Real‑Life Haircut Meets On‑Screen Storyline
Collins’ real‑life bob was a more dramatic change than the earlier bangs. She told Martin that she had never considered a shorter style earlier in her life, but hairstylist Gregory Russell convinced her to try it. “I really love changing my hair, which is ironic, because growing up, I was like, ‘I never want to cut or color my hair.’ And so I did it, and I didn’t know how people would react. I was like, ‘Is there going to have to be a wig next season or whatever?’” she recalled.
Star was supportive, and the team debated whether to write the haircut into the show. Collins remembered a scene in the first episode where Philippine Leroy‑Beaulieu, who plays Sylvie, comments, “You cut your hair.” Collins replied, “Oh, thanks,” and Sylvie added, “It’s not a compliment. We’ve gotta go.”
Ashley Park wanted to highlight the haircut’s merits, so she improvised a line. “I added a line. Because when Mindy comes to Rome, I remember being like, ‘Wait, hold up. I know that Lily got this haircut, but I feel like Mindy would at least be, like, ‘Love your hair!’’” Park said.
Motherhood, Practicality, and the Bob’s Impact
Martin also asked whether becoming a mother influenced Collins’ choice. In January 2025, Collins announced the birth of her first child with husband Charlie McDowell. Collins responded, “No, it didn’t. I always wanted to do it. I had a very short haircut when I was 25 and then it grew out. But then I just kept it growing. No, it is more practical, perhaps,” she said.
Park praised the final look, stating, “I’ve never met anybody who could pull off, truly, any hairstyle, any hair color.”
The stars of Emily in Paris—Lily Collins, Ashley Park, and Philippine Leroy‑Beaulieu—also discussed their strong female characters and the friendships that have formed over four seasons during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com.
Key Takeaways
- Lily Collins cut her hair for Season 5, a decision driven by personal style and the show’s creative process.
- The bob inspired new wardrobe designs and added dialogue between characters.
- Collins’ choice was practical and independent of motherhood, and the new look was praised by her co‑star Ashley Park.
The bob marks a fresh visual shift for Emily in Paris, reflecting both real‑life and on‑screen evolution as the series heads into its fifth season.
