In the glittering world of Emily in Paris, where romance, fashion, and drama collide against the backdrop of Europe’s most iconic cities, few moments shine as brightly as the unbreakable bond between Emily Cooper and her best friend Mindy Chen. Now, in an exclusive revelation that’s delighting fans worldwide, Lily Collins has shared a behind-the-scenes gem from Season 5: a simple skincare scene that reduced her and co-star Ashley Park to uncontrollable laughter – and yes, actual tears.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the lavish world premiere in Paris on December 15, 2025, the 36-year-old actress couldn’t hide her glee when recalling the moment. “One of my most fun moments was shooting the scene with Ashley where we have our face masks on and we couldn’t stop laughing — we were crying,” Collins confessed, her eyes lighting up at the memory. “It’s always fun with Ashley.”

This heartfelt admission comes just days after all 10 episodes of Season 5 dropped on Netflix on December 18, 2025, sending viewers into a frenzy of binge-watching. The scene in question – a cozy, girlfriend heart-to-heart with Emily and Mindy slathered in face masks on the couch – isn’t just a throwaway comedy beat. As Ashley Park later explained in interviews, it draws directly from real life. “I know that for sure this scene with us doing skincare masks together on the couch, I think we had talked about so many times, how that’s all we do in a hotel room together whenever we need to catch up and [have heart-to-hearts],” Park shared.

It’s this authenticity that elevates Emily in Paris from fluffy escapism to something profoundly relatable. In a season that whisks Emily from the familiar streets of Paris to the sun-drenched allure of Rome (and even Venice), the face mask moment grounds the story in the enduring power of female friendship – a theme that’s been the show’s secret weapon since its 2020 debut.

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The chemistry between Collins and Park is no accident. Since meeting on set in Season 1, the two have forged a real-life “soul sistership,” as they’ve often described it. Collins supported Park through a life-threatening health scare in early 2024 when Park suffered septic shock, and Park, in turn, has been a pillar for Collins during her transition to motherhood in 2025. Their off-screen bond translates seamlessly on camera, turning scripted lines into genuine magic.

But Season 5 tests that friendship like never before. As creator Darren Star teases, this installment is “a tale of two cities: Rome and Paris.” Emily, ever the ambitious marketer, relocates to head Agence Grateau’s new Rome office, diving headfirst into a passionate romance with the charming Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini). Yet professional miscommunications and personal secrets strain her relationships, including a major rift with Mindy that hits fans hard.

Collins and Park have been candid about the emotional weight of these storylines. In joint interviews, they’ve dissected the fight, emphasizing how even in tension, the writers infuse “grand comedy.” Park notes the performative flair Mindy brings to Rome, mirroring Emily’s wide-eyed arrival in Paris seasons ago. Meanwhile, Collins praises Emily’s growth: addressing issues in real time rather than swallowing them.

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Filming wasn’t without challenges. Production kicked off in May 2025, with Collins balancing new motherhood (welcoming her first child via surrogacy in January) and the demands of portraying the indefatigable Emily. “It was far from effortless,” insiders note, requiring “military-level scheduling.” Tragedy struck in August when assistant director Diego Borella passed suddenly, halting shoots briefly. Yet the cast rallied, wrapping in Venice – a “once in a lifetime” experience, per Park.

Venice provided magical backdrops, with Collins calling her first visit “epic.” Shooting streetside scenes with Park felt “really magical,” she gushed. The season’s visuals – from Roman cobblestones to Venetian canals – amplify the glamour, with costume designer Marylin Fitoussi evolving Emily’s wardrobe into sharper, more sophisticated Italian chic.

Romance remains central, of course. Emily’s whirlwind with Marcello offers fairytale vibes, complete with dramatic choices about career versus love. Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), now pursuing dreams as a yacht chef, exits gracefully, leaving room for Emily’s self-discovery. The finale’s cliffhanger – a postcard invitation to Greece – has Collins excitedly speculating: “Yeah. Why not? Hello!”

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What makes that face mask scene so special? In a season of high-stakes drama, heartbreak, and relocation, it reminds us why we fell in love with the show: the joy in simple moments. Collins and Park’s uncontrollable laughter mirrors the catharsis viewers feel – escaping into Emily’s world for laughter, tears (of joy), and inspiration.

As fans dissect episodes, theorize about Season 6 (Greece, anyone?), and recreate iconic looks, one thing is clear: Emily in Paris endures because it celebrates adventure, resilience, and connection. Lily Collins, with her radiant smile and heartfelt stories, embodies that spirit. Her tears on set weren’t from sorrow but pure, unfiltered happiness – a testament to the magic when real friendship meets fictional fun.

In a television landscape crowded with cynicism, Emily in Paris dares to be optimistic. And in that hilarious, tear-streaked face mask moment, it proves once again: sometimes, the best scenes aren’t the grand gestures, but the quiet ones shared with a best friend. As Collins puts it, “It’s always fun with Ashley.” For viewers, it’s always fun with Emily – and we’re already counting down to more.