Lily Jane Collins was born on March 18, 1989, in Guildford, England. She is the daughter of the famous English musician Phil Collins and his second wife, Jill Tavelman, an American who once served as the president of the Beverly Hills Women's Club. Her maternal grandfather was a Canadian Jewish immigrant who owned a men's clothing store in Beverly Hills. After her parents' divorce in 1996,

Lily moved to Los Angeles with her mother. She grew up with a rich cultural heritage, having half siblings from her father’s other marriages, including musician Simon Collins and actress Joely Collins.

Lily attended Harvard Westlake School and later pursued broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California. During her teenage years, she battled an eating disorder, a struggle she later opened up about in her memoir, Unfiltered No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me.

Lily's acting career began early, with her debut at the age of two in the BBC series "Growing Pains." She appeared in two episodes of the teen drama series 90210 in 2009. However, her major breakthrough came in the same year when she starred in The Blind Side as Collins Tuohy. The film was a massive hit, grossing over $250 million and becoming the highest-grossing sports drama of all time.

In 2011, she played the warrior priest's daughter, Lucy, in the thriller "Priest" and co-starred in the action film "Abduction" with Taylor Lautner. Although "Priest" did not perform well commercially, Lily's performance was praised. In 2012, she starred as Snow White in "Mirror Mirror," a role that showcased her acting and singing talents. Her portrayal was well-received, with The Daily Telegraph praising her cinema-perfect face and charming smile.

From 2013 onwards, Lily's career soared. She starred in "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," earning a Teen Choice Award nomination. She also appeared in the music video for "City of Angels" by Thirty Seconds to Mars and starred as Rosie Dunne in the film adaptation of "Love, Rosie" (2014), receiving praise for her performance despite mixed reviews for the film.

Lily's portrayal of aspiring actress Marla Mabrey in "Rules Don't Apply" (2016) earned her a Golden Globe nomination. In 2017, she starred in "To the Bone," a film about anorexia, where her portrayal of Ellen was widely praised. Critics highlighted her ability to convey vulnerability and complexity in her performance.

Lily's career continued to flourish with roles in the Netflix drama film "Okja" (2017) and the BBC miniseries "Les Misérables" (2018-2019), where she played Fantine. Critics praised her performance in "Les Misérables," noting her emotional depth and grace.

In 2019, Lily co-starred with Zac Efron in "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile," playing Elizabeth Kendall, Ted Bundy's long-time girlfriend. She also portrayed Edith Tolkien, the wife of J.R.R. Tolkien, in the biographical film "Tolkien."

Since 2020, Lily has captivated audiences as Emily Cooper in the popular Netflix series "Emily in Paris," earning another Golden Globe nomination. Her role in "Mank" (2020) as Rita Alexander was critically acclaimed. Lily is also set to star in upcoming films like "The Cradle" and "Gilded Rage."

Lily is also an accomplished writer, having penned the memoir "Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me," where she discusses her personal struggles with mental health and body image. She is a vocal anti-bullying advocate and a Celebrity Ambassador for Bystander Revolution and the GO Campaign, which helps improve the lives of vulnerable children worldwide.

As a teenager, Lily wrote for Elle Girl, Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and the Los Angeles Times. She was chosen by Chanel for a prestigious debutante ball in Paris and named International Model of the Year by Spain’s Glamour magazine in 2008. Lily's multifaceted career and her dedication to important causes make her a significant figure in both the entertainment industry and beyond.

Lily has always been private about her relationships, learning from the intense media coverage of her parents' divorce. In September 2020, Lily announced her engagement to American film director and writer Charlie McDowell. Charlie is the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen, which adds another layer of Hollywood legacy to their relationship.

Lily has always been private about her relationships, learning from the intense media coverage of her parents' divorce. In September 2020, Lily announced her engagement to American film director and writer Charlie McDowell. Charlie is the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen, which adds another layer of Hollywood legacy to their relationship.

The couple married on September 4, 2021, in a picturesque ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado. They have often shared glimpses of their life together on social media, showcasing their mutual affection and adventures.

In March 2023, it was reported that Lily and Charlie purchased a townhouse in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. This move signifies their love for travel and new experiences, further enriching their dynamic relationship.