Lily Collins Cuts Bob for Season 5 of ‘Emily in Paris’: The Creative Story Behind the Change

Lily Collins has surprised fans by cutting her long, brunette locks for the upcoming Season 5 of Emily in Paris. The change comes just before the series returns on December 18.

The Bob Reveal

TODAY lifestyle contributor Jill Martin sat down with Collins and her onscreen and real‑life friend, Ashley Park, to discuss the new look. Martin asked, “So did Emily get the bob, or did Lily get the bob?” Collins answered, “Lily got the bob,” and explained the creative chain: “Usually Lily gets the haircuts first, and then Marylin (Fitoussi, the show’s costume designer) is inspired by the haircuts to create the new wardrobe for the next season. And then I always go to Darren (Star, the show’s creator) and I’m like, ‘Hey, can I keep it?'”

From Bangs to Bob

Emily’s hair has traditionally stayed long, with the exception of a brief moment in Season 3 when the character cut her own bangs. Collins said the decision to cut the bangs was part of a storyline: “In the season with the bangs, we created part of the storyline, you know, Ashley coming in, and being like, ‘No!'” Park added, “Trauma bangs,” noting the dramatic flair of the scene.

Collins’ real‑life bob, however, was a more substantial shift. She told Martin it was a style she had never considered earlier in her life. Her hairstylist, Gregory Russell, convinced her to try it, saying he always wanted to see her with shorter hair.

The Creative Debate

“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?'” Collins recalled. Luckily, Star was open to keeping the new look, and the two discussed whether to write it into the show.

“And I was like, ‘Well, we already did that with the bangs.’ So there was one moment, I believe it was cut (from the show) but there was a moment in the very first episode when I go into the Rome office and I sit down. Philippine (Philippine Leroy‑Beaulieu, who plays Sylvie) comes in, and the first thing she says is, ‘You cut your hair.’ And I said, ‘Oh, thanks.’ And she’s like, ‘It’s not a compliment. We’ve gotta go,'” Collins remembered.

Mindy’s Reaction

Park wanted to make sure the merits of Collins’ haircut were acknowledged, so she improvised a line during filming. “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 and the Bob

When asked if becoming a mother inspired the shorter hairstyle, Collins said in January 2025 that she had welcomed her first child with husband Charlie McDowell. “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 replied.

Park’s Praise

Regardless of the motivation, Park praised the new look. “I’ve never met anybody who could pull off, truly, any hairstyle, any hair color,” she said.

Key Takeaways

• Lily Collins cut her hair for Season 5, a decision that began the creative cycle for the show’s wardrobe and storyline.
• The bob was inspired by Collins’ real‑life haircut, not a character change.
• The change was discussed with creator Darren Star and costume designer Marylin Fitoussi before being written into the episode.
• Collins confirmed her new look was not influenced by motherhood, but by practicality and personal desire.
• Ashley Park improvised a supportive line to celebrate the new hairstyle on screen.

The segment featuring Collins and Park will air on TODAY on December 15, just before the new season premieres.

Closing

Lily Collins’ bold move to a bob marks a fresh visual shift for Emily in Paris while staying true to the series’ collaborative creative process. Fans can look forward to seeing how the new hairstyle weaves into the storylines of Season 5, set to debut on December 18.