Amid a wave of controversy, the topic of Botox and skin-rejuvenation methods has once again been brought up—an old subject that never seems to lose its sensitivity.

Every time Emily in Paris returns, the name Lily Collins almost always becomes the center of attention. From her looks and fashion sense to her stylish aura, the female lead has been widely discussed throughout multiple seasons. However, in the newly released season 5, viewers’ attention has shifted to a different detail: skin that clearly shows signs of aging and very “real” facial expressions from the actress born in 1989.

On Threads, a post related to Lily Collins in Emily in Paris season 5 has attracted more than 2 million views and continues to spread rapidly. The author shared that they had come across content criticizing Lily Collins for the appearance of wrinkles on her face, especially on her forehead and between her eyebrows.

The wrinkled face of the female lead in Emily in Paris draws 2 million people into a debate – Photo 1.
Threads screenshot.

The author explained that, as a cosmetic doctor, she fully understands and appreciates the benefits of Botox and modern aesthetic procedures. However, she emphasized that everyone has the right to choose whether to undergo such interventions, and that an actress retaining natural facial expressions is something worth cherishing in an era when “frozen” beauty is becoming increasingly common. The post concluded with a call for netizens to be kinder, and to respect and support other people’s personal choices.

Right below the post, the comment section quickly turned into a “battlefield” of debate, with many opposing viewpoints. Quite a few viewers spoke up in defense of Lily Collins, arguing that her ability to frown, raise her eyebrows, and clearly express emotions is precisely what makes the character Emily feel more vivid and authentic.

The wrinkled face of the female lead in Emily in Paris draws 2 million people into a debate 
(Photos: @jfkyyfjc, @movie1zika).

Some commenters noted that nowadays, having a natural-looking face is paradoxically seen as “abnormal,” even though it is actually a sign that an actress has not overused cosmetic interventions. Others suggested that Lily Collins’ very slim physique may be part of the reason her skin appears less plump, making wrinkles and signs of aging more noticeable than before.

“I’ve never watched the show, but are people really criticizing her just because her face has expressions?”, “It’s sad that at this point in time, looking normal is considered abnormal,” “As someone in my 30s who has never had cosmetic procedures, I sometimes feel like an outsider. Seeing someone else with such expressive facial features is actually very comforting,” “She’s just too skinny,” …

The wrinkled face of the female lead in Emily in Paris draws 2 million people into a debate 

Botox and modern aesthetic procedures are not inherently sinful—they help many people feel more confident about their appearance. But cosmetic intervention should not be treated as a mandatory standard, especially for an actress. Lily Collins may not fit Hollywood’s “ageless” ideal of perfection, but she still retains the most valuable thing of all: the ability to act with her face.

In fact, concerns about Lily Collins’ appearance are not entirely new. Previously, at New York Fashion Week in September, when attending a show by Calvin Klein, the actress sparked public discussion after appearing with an extremely gaunt figure, an overly slender frame, and skin that looked somewhat sagging and lacking vitality in certain close-up shots. These images quickly circulated online and triggered mixed reactions, ranging from concern for her health to harsh comments about the state of her looks.

The actress’s body with an extremely low body-fat ratio. Having visible muscle definition is a sign that Lily Collins is still training and actively managing her physique (Photos: Getty Images, Guerin Charles).