Lily Collins Set to Portray Screen Icon Audrey Hepburn in New Biopic

Lily Collins lands the iconic role of Audrey Hepburn. Explore her journey from 'Emily in Paris' to Hollywood icon, her journalism roots, and her famous family.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 7:13 AM EDT

Source: Pubity

A Legacy within the Entertainment Industry

Born into a family of high-profile performers, Collins’ connection to the arts is foundational. She is the daughter of Phil Collins, the legendary Genesis drummer and solo artist whose work defined much of the late 20th-century music landscape. In a notable intersection of their careers, the Oscar-winning song "You’ll Be In My Heart" from the 1999 Disney film Tarzan was originally written by her father for Lily. This lineage of creative success provided her with an early perspective on the industry, though she has consistently worked to establish an independent professional identity through diverse roles.

Early Debut and the Transition to Hollywood

While many fans recognize her from contemporary hits, Collins actually made her television debut as a toddler in the early 1990s. She appeared in the BBC sitcom Growing Pains (unrelated to the American series of the same name) as a foster child. Following her parents' divorce and a subsequent move to the United States in 1996, she stepped away from professional acting for over a decade. Her return to the screen was marked by a breakout performance in the 2009 sports drama The Blind Side, where she portrayed the daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character, effectively launching her adult career in Hollywood.

Foundations in Broadcast Journalism

If her acting career had not materialized, Collins was well-prepared for a trajectory in news media. She attended the University of Southern California (USC), where she majored in broadcast journalism—a background that has informed her articulate public presence. During her teenage years, she was a frequent contributor to major publications, writing the "NY Confidential" column for Elle Girl and contributing pieces to Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, she served as a host for Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President during the 2008 election, demonstrating a long-standing interest in media and public discourse.