On the surface, everything about my lunch date with Lily Collins appears normal.
I flag down our hostess and request a quieter, more socially-distant table.
It was a lot.
You’re taking yourself from A to B.
You’re part of nature.
Each time her fiance comes up throughout our interview, Lily’s face lights up.
Coat: Fendi, Ear Cuffs: AVEC JOYERIA Earcuff Metal Drop, Double Silver and BLK Earcuff, Onyx Pearl Earcuff, Ring: Talent’s Own
Ive known he was The One since the very beginning, she says frankly.
All my friends joked with me at first.
They’re like, How can you know I’m like, I know.
Honestly, Im so excited to be a wife.
I ask her to expand.
When she explains it like that, its hard to argue.
The Lightness of Lilyit flickers stronger.
It was so crazy, Lily says with genuine wonderment when I ask her about the shows reception.
To me, it just translates to: people needed an escape.
Tibi Flannel Dress, Tibi Travel Neck Collar, Shoes: Stylist’s own, Earring cuff: AVEC JOYERIA Onyx Large, Earrings: MOUNSER Crescent Hoop
They’re able to get that wish fulfillment of travel when they watch it.
They can laugh and smile.
And I don’t know what I need now more than ever other than smiling and laughing.
She has a fair point.
She calls Emily unapologetically herself and someone who finds passion in her work.
I love to work, too, she affirms.
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Acting alongside Gary Oldham, Lily says, was a career highlight.
It was everything, she gushes.
So for me, finding that character was just such a different process than Emily.
Lily is instantly open, warm, and outspoken, like Emily.
Even she tells me, I definitely feel more British than American in a lot of ways.
How do I feel comfortable being me?
I was in a bad relationship where I felt definitely quieted by that person.
And it wasn’t encouraged to gain more of a voice or use my voice more.
My lack of control turned into: how can I control myself?
You’re sitting within your thoughts going, well, what do I do with all this?
Who are these people in my brain?
Her secret, she reveals, is simple: relinquish control.
Self-help isn’t selfishits self-love, she says simply.
I don’t think there’s a thing as too much introspection.
You have to do the work.
On the adventure aspect, she describes her current state as very experience-driven and less focused on material things.
And so it was kind of really freeing again, this feeling of physically letting go.
You cant predict the wave.
I literally see one coming and I’m like, Oh, stand up.
And then once you get upif you get upit’s so freeing.
You feel so strong, because youre like, my core is centered.
Were all made of dualities, but its the intricacies between them that make up our truest parts.
