Lily Collins, the versatile actress known for her ability to switch accents seamlessly, has piqued the curiosity of her fans.
Her captivating performances have left us wondering about her background. Whether it’s her charming British accent in “Love, Rosie” or her effortless American tone in the Ted Bundy documentary, Collins keeps us intrigued.
During a candid interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Lily shared the story behind her accent changes.
Recalling her time in American schools, she explained why she altered her speaking style. She revealed,
“I was the new girl with a very sweet, strong but specific British accent. I was trying to say the names of my classmates but I just pronounced vowels in a very different way and so I got made fun of.”
However, after facing teasing from classmates, she quickly adapted to sound more like them.
Looking back on her journey, Lily feels nostalgic for her original accent. Now, years later, she finds herself longing for the accent she once had.
Currently sporting an American accent, the actress shared that portraying characters with British accents oddly feels natural despite the deliberate effort required.
Additionally, Collins disclosed her ability to speak French in real life and explained,
“It’s a strange feeling. I grew up conversing in French at school, and with my younger half-Swiss brothers, which led me to dream and read in French,” she explained.
However, her practice dwindled as time passed, and her confidence waned, especially as her brother’s English surpassed her French.
When she revisited French for her role in “Emily in Paris,” she faced a challenge distinguishing between her character’s poor French and her own proficiency.
Consequently, she felt her French skills regress. Determined to improve, she expressed a desire to resume practicing the language.
Key Takeaways
- Lily Collins, born in England to British parents, adopted an American accent after facing teasing in school for her British accent.
- Despite growing up bilingual in English and French, Collins struggles to maintain her French proficiency, especially after portraying a character with poor French skills in “Emily in Paris.”
- While residing in Los Angeles and speaking with an American accent, Collins identifies more strongly with her British roots and maintains her British citizenship.
Embracing British Roots In Hollywood
Lily Jane Collins, born on March 18, 1989, in Guildford, Surrey, England, to Phil Collins and his second wife, Jill Tavelman, has a mixed heritage.
Regarding her ancestry, she has Russian Jewish (from her maternal grandfather), English, and German roots.
When she was seven, her parents separated in 1996, and she relocated to Los Angeles, California, with her mother.
Since then, she has resided in the States and built a successful acting career.
Despite her British lineage, highlighted in the 2014 film Love, Rosie, Collins actually speaks with an American accent in real life.
This has led to questions about her nationality, but she holds dual citizenship and identifies more with her British roots.
In an interview with WIRED, she expressed a stronger connection to her British identity, a sentiment echoed by many fans who point out her distinctive British features. While residing in Los Angeles, she maintains her British citizenship.
FAQs
Does Lily Collins Have A Health Condition?
In 2017, Lily Collins revealed that she suffered from an eating disorder during her teenage years.
Did Lily Collins Grow Up With Her Dad?
Collins was raised between Los Angeles and London, and she moved to the West Coast with her mom after her parents divorced.
