Beyond the Glitter: What Does Emily in Paris Show Us About Expat Life?
- Francesca Mancino
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
I have to admit it: I was sceptical when the Netflix show Emily in Paris first came out, which is why I didn’t give it a chance until earlier this year. Surprisingly, that wait proved worthwhile: I binge-watched all four seasons in just a few weeks, and now I’m counting down the days until Season 5 premieres on Netflix on December 18th.
However, my enthusiasm is not widely shared, with many strongly dismissing the show for depicting an overly romanticised version of expat life.
As an Italian who has been living in London for over 9 years, I totally agree that Emily’s journey fails to fully capture the reality of expat life. The show overlooks many challenges that come with living in a foreign country, such as navigating homesickness, endless bureaucracy and financial hardship. Moreover, even when it touches on some real expat struggles, such as language barriers and immigration hurdles, it does so in an a very unrealistic way.
Nonetheless, I believe that behind its hilarious and at-times superficial plot line, this show shares some profound insights into expat life. But before delving into that, let me introduce you to Emily.
Who is Emily? And what is she doing in Paris?
For those who are new to the show, Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins) is a young marketing executive from Chicago, who is unexpectedly offered the opportunity to move to Paris for a year, to assist her company with the acquisition of a French marketing firm. She decides to indulge in this brief Parisian fantasy before returning to the life she has carefully planned in Chicago: landing a major work promotion, marrying her boyfriend Doug and buying the house of her dreams.
However, when she moves to Paris her life takes an unexpected turn. Beyond the irresistible French pastries, fashion-forward outfits and glamorous parties, Emily struggles to fit in her new office. Her professional challenges start to be matched by personal upheavals when Doug breaks up with her, and she finds herself entangled in a love triangle with the boyfriend of her close friend, Camille.
As the seasons progress, Emily successfully navigates her new sophisticated workplace, earning recognition even from her uncompromising boss, Sylvie, who eventually persuades her to permanently move to Paris and work for her. Meanwhile, her personal life remains a rollercoaster, complicated by shifting friendships and romantic entanglements.
Being an expat myself, I know first-hand that living foreign country is far from this fantasy of glamorous outfits, lavish parties and intricate romances — so, what deeper truths does Emily’s story reveal beyond the drama?
1. Diversity is a strength
When Emily joins her new office, she really struggles to fit in. Although her marketing strategies quickly win over clients and result in a great success for the company, her co-workers dismiss them as bizarre and unsophisticated, or simply “too American”.
This storyline reveals an uncomfortable but real truth: expats’ perspectives are not always welcomed. This is not necessarily out of malice, but simply because they fail to conform with established cultural norms. Yet, this lack of social acceptance and support in the host-country can contribute to mental health challenges and poorer sociocultural adjustment among expats.
Nonetheless, Emily’s story also shows a more positive side to this experience. In the end, her colleagues accept that her unconventional perspectives are exactly what leads to success, recognising that what once set her apart is what makes her truly invaluable.
This is why I think that — especially at a time when difference isn’t always welcomed — Emily serves as a powerful reminder that diversity is a strength worth celebrating, not a barrier to belonging.
2. You can embrace a new culture without losing your roots
Another aspect of Emily’s journey that struck me is how she successfully blends in a new culture without losing her heritage. For instance, when her work ideas are continuously dismissed, she doesn’t abandon her marketing approach to fit in; instead, she stays true to her voice and thoughtfully embraces French practices to strengthen her strategies. Similarly, even though she dives head-first into French culture (who wouldn’t, right?), she doesn’t do so at the cost of her own identity. Indeed, even with Michelin-star restaurants at her fingertips, she still gets wildly excited about having frozen Chicago deep-dish pizza!
Remaining grounded in your cultural roots can be quite challenging when you are constantly immersed in another culture. Over time, you start to internalise the language, lifestyle and traditions of your host country, while gradually losing touch with your own. For instance, I’m a bit ashamed to admit that since living in London I sometimes struggle to speak Italian, as I tend to default to English in both my personal and professional life (reassuringly, I am not the only one experiencing this!)
Many expats, myself included, feel this internal tug-of-war between the person we were in our home country and the one we’re becoming abroad. This tension can threaten one’s sense of identity and belonging, leading to psychological distress.
While Emily experiences this challenge too, I think the lesson lies in the way she moves through it. She doesn’t choose between her American and French selves; instead, she holds onto both, reminding us that belonging in a new culture doesn’t mean erasing your old self, but expanding it.
3. It’s never too late to start over
I believe the show’s most powerful message is that it’s never too late to start over. When Emily moves to Paris, her life appears to be perfectly planned; in one year she’ll return to her big promotion in Chicago, marry Doug and buy the house of her dreams. Yet, life abroad disrupts her plans, making her realise that the future she had carefully laid out for herself is no longer the one she wants. Ultimately, I think that her decision to remain in Paris doesn’t simply reflect her love for the city, but a deeper acceptance that change is part of the journey of becoming who we are meant to be.
While this truth probably resonates with anyone who has ever faced change, it feels especially powerful for expats, who leave everything they have ever known behind to take a leap into a completely new reality.
I think Emily vividly portrays this experience, reminding us that, while letting go of certainty is scary, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities and versions of ourselves that we would never have had the chance to experience otherwise.
So, what’s my final take on Emily in Paris?
I’ll admit it: I watch Emily in Paris partly because it’s an irresistible guilty pleasure; but I also think the show holds far more truth than it gets credit for. Beyond the glossy Parisian fantasy, Emily’s journey captures some surprisingly authentic aspects of the expat experience, showing us that adapting to a new culture is messy and challenging, but equally transformative.
As season 5 takes Emily to Rome, I am excited to see how she navigates this new chapter of her life and what insights her journey will reveal.