The Untold Story: 5 Shocking Facts About Lily Collins' Parents—From Rock Stardom To Antiques

The family dynamics behind one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces are often as complex as the roles she plays on screen. As of late 2025, actress Lily Collins, globally celebrated for her role as Emily Cooper in the hit series *Emily in Paris*, continues to navigate her career while maintaining a carefully balanced relationship with her famous parents. The story of her upbringing—split between the rock 'n' roll world of her father, legendary musician Phil Collins, and the grounded, artistic life cultivated by her mother, Jill Tavelman—is a fascinating study in celebrity, divorce, and personal forgiveness. This deep dive explores the current lives, professional pursuits, and evolving family ties of the people who shaped the star. The latest and most heartwarming family news centers on Lily's own journey into motherhood, as she and her husband, Charlie McDowell, recently welcomed their first child via surrogate, making Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman first-time grandparents. This milestone event further cements the current, repaired status of the family unit, a far cry from the strained relationship of her youth.

Lily Collins: Full Biography and Profile

To fully understand the unique parental dynamic, it is essential to first establish the foundational facts of Lily Collins' life and career.

• Full Name: Lily Jane Collins
• Born: March 18, 1989
• Birthplace: Guildford, Surrey, England, UK
• Nationality: English and American
• Parents: Phil Collins (Father) and Jill Tavelman (Mother)
• Spouse: Charlie McDowell (m. September 4, 2021)
• Children: 1 (recently welcomed via surrogate)
• Occupations: Actress, Model, Writer, Producer
• Notable Works: Emily in Paris, The Blind Side, Love, Rosie, Mank, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
• Siblings: Simon Collins (half-brother), Joely Collins (half-sister), Nicholas Collins (half-brother), Matthew Collins (half-brother)

Lily's dual nationality and upbringing—spending her early years in the UK before moving to Los Angeles with her mother following her parents' divorce—is central to her identity and the complicated relationship she had with her father.

Fact 1: Phil Collins and the 'Forgiveness' That Repaired Their Bond

The relationship between Lily Collins and her father, the iconic Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins, was famously tumultuous for many years following his 1996 divorce from her mother, Jill Tavelman.

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The core of the issue stemmed from Phil's frequent touring and the distance—both physical and emotional—that grew between them. Lily often felt abandoned and struggled with the emotional fallout of her parents' high-profile split.

The public reconciliation came in 2017 with the release of Lily’s book of personal essays, *Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me*. In a powerful open letter addressed to her father, Lily directly confronted their past, writing: "I forgive you for not always being there when I needed and for not being the dad I expected. I forgive you for the mistakes you’ve made."

This act of public forgiveness marked a significant turning point. Since then, their bond has visibly strengthened. Phil Collins attended Lily's 2021 wedding to director Charlie McDowell, showing a unified family front. Furthermore, in early 2025, Lily shared a sweet tribute to her father on his 74th birthday, posting photographs and a loving message on social media, demonstrating the current, healthy status of their father-daughter relationship.

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Phil, for his part, has consistently expressed immense pride in his daughter's accomplishments, calling her "remarkable" and noting her grounded nature, a sentiment that shows mutual respect and admiration in their current interactions.

Fact 2: Jill Tavelman is a Highly Successful Los Angeles Antiques Dealer

While Phil Collins' career as a legendary musician is well-known, Lily's mother, Jill Tavelman, maintains a successful and influential career outside of the celebrity spotlight, establishing her own topical authority in the world of design and antiques.

Jill Tavelman, an American by birth, moved back to Los Angeles with Lily after the divorce. A former teacher, she transitioned into the business of curating and selling antique pieces, a passion she turned into a successful enterprise.

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She is the owner of a highly-regarded antiques store in Los Angeles and runs a popular website known as WAVERLY ON DOHENY. Her business focuses on selling unique, curated antique pieces, reflecting a life of purpose and a dedication to art and history, far removed from the media buzz of Hollywood.

Lily has often credited her mother for providing a stable, loving, and grounded environment, especially during the tumultuous years following the divorce. Jill Tavelman is frequently seen accompanying Lily to red carpet events, showcasing a close mother-daughter bond that has been a constant source of strength for the actress throughout her life and career.

Fact 3: The Collins Family is a 'Nepo Baby' Powerhouse

The term "nepo baby" has become a popular LSI keyword in recent years, referring to the children of famous or influential parents. Lily Collins openly acknowledges her background, but the family's connections run deeper than just her father, the famous rock star.

Lily's husband, director Charlie McDowell, is also a "nepo baby." He is the son of legendary actor Malcolm McDowell (known for *A Clockwork Orange*) and actress Mary Steenburgen (known for *Elf* and *The Last Man on Earth*).

This means their recently welcomed child has a lineage that includes a Grammy-winning musician grandfather (Phil Collins), a Golden Globe-winning actress grandmother (Mary Steenburgen), and a respected British actor grandfather (Malcolm McDowell). This confluence of creative dynasties highlights the deep-rooted connections within Lily's immediate family circle, influencing everything from her career choices to her social network.

Fact 4: Lily's Half-Siblings Are Also Deeply Embedded in the Arts

Phil Collins has been married three times, resulting in a large, extended family for Lily. Her half-siblings are also prominent figures in their respective creative fields, further cementing the family's artistic legacy.

• Simon Collins: Lily's oldest half-brother from Phil's first marriage (to Andrea Bertorelli), Simon is a respected drummer and musician in his own right, having fronted the band Sound of Contact.
• Joely Collins: Lily's half-sister (also from the first marriage) is a Canadian actress and producer, known for her work in film and television.
• Nicholas and Matthew Collins: Lily's younger half-brothers from Phil's third marriage (to Orianne Cevey) are also musically inclined. Nicholas, in particular, has followed in his father's footsteps, playing drums for Phil Collins' solo tours and even for the reformed Genesis.

This extensive network of siblings, all connected by the rock 'n' roll legacy of their father, provides Lily with a unique support system and a deep understanding of the pressures and privileges of a famous last name. The collective artistic output of the Collins family is a testament to Phil Collins' enduring influence.

Fact 5: The Divorce Settlement Was One of the Most Expensive in British History

The financial fallout from the divorce between Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman was a major media event in the mid-1990s. Phil Collins' career success, especially with Genesis and his solo work, had amassed a vast fortune, making the settlement significant.

The divorce settlement with Jill Tavelman, which concluded in 1996, was reported to be approximately £17 million (around $25 million USD at the time). While this was substantial, it was later eclipsed by his third divorce settlement, which was even higher. The sheer financial scale of these events often put a strain on the family, which Lily openly discussed in her book, linking the media scrutiny and financial turmoil to her own struggles with an eating disorder during her teenage years.

Today, the focus has shifted entirely from the financial and legal battles to the emotional repair and the celebration of new life, with the recent arrival of Lily’s child providing a joyful new chapter for all members of the extended Collins family. The move to a healthier, forgiving relationship with her father, and the constant grounding presence of her mother, has allowed Lily Collins to thrive both personally and professionally, leaving the turbulent past behind.