Lily Collins owe her career success, including Emily in Paris, to The Blind Side co-star Sandra Bullock who took her under her wings.

Lily Collins had one advantage when she entered the film industry with the 2009 film, The Blind Side. She shared the screen alongside one of the top actresses in the world, Sandra Bullock. Bullock went on to win her only Academy Award for her role Leigh Anne Tuohy in the film. Collins played the role of Collins Tuohy, the daughter of the Tuohys.

Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Lily Collins, and Jae Head in a still from The Blind Side | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Collins has quickly ascended the ranks of Hollywood as one of the most promising actresses in the industry. Her leading role in films like Love, Rosie and Inheritance has proved her acting abilities. Her role as Emily Cooper in Netflix’s Emily in Paris has proved her mass appeal despite the show’s negative reviews.

Lily Collins Considers Herself Very Lucky To Have Been Mothered by Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Lily Collins in a still from The Blind Side | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Lily Collins began acting at the age of two in the BBC sitcom Growing Pains. Her first film role came in her teen years as the daughter of Sandra Bullock‘s character in The Blind Side. Bullock’s name came to Collins’ mind when she was asked about the one person who served as a guiding light during her starting days as an actor.

Speaking to Sky News, Collins shared that she felt incredibly lucky to have been “mothered by Sandra Bullock”. She shared that Bullock took her under her wing at the peak of her career and showed her all the ropes. Collins shared that she would just watch how the Gravity star performed on set and learned without Bullock knowing that she was teaching her. Collins shared with Sky News:

My first film, I was mothered by Sandra Bullock. She really took me under her wing during that experience and showed me the ropes. Even when she didn’t know she was teaching me, she was teaching me because I would watch her on set.

Collins also shared all the things she got a chance to learn from the Bird Box actress during the time. She shared that Bullock treated everyone on set with respect and valued her character deeply. The To The Bones actress also learned the things she could ask, the rights she had, and the ideas she could bring. Collins shared:

Just the way that she spoke to everyone, treated everyone, the questions she asked, and how she just valued her character in ways that I didn’t know going into it that you can value. Or things that you can ask, or the right that you have to, you know, bring your own ideas.

The Rules Don’t Apply actress’ revelation comes as no surprise to fans about Bullock. However, fans were shocked when Michael Oher, on whom the film was based, filed a lawsuit against the Tuohys last year accusing them of exploiting him. The Blind Side was a big hit, grossing $309.2 million at the box office and earning a Best Picture nomination (via Box Office Mojo).

Lily Collins Stayed In Touch With Sandra Bullock Long After The Blind Side

Lily Collins in Emily in Paris | Credits: Netflix

Lily Collins shared that her relationship with Sandra Bullock extended long after they had wrapped up the film. She took lessons from Bullock on how to handle the set as a strong woman. She shared that Bullock had a major impact on her career. She revealed on Sky News:

I just really appreciated and respected the way that she handled the set and herself and we stayed in touch. And it made such an impact on me as my first experience to have this amazing, strong, kind female lead the way.

Collins’ most recent release was the first part of the fourth season of the critically panned Netflix drama, Emily in Paris. The second part is set to premiere on September 12, 2024.