The French President is opposing the show's relocation to Rome for its fifth season. This move underscores the cultural and economic impact of the series on Parisian tourism and the French president's personal connection to the show. Dive into the details of Macron's campaign to keep "Emily's" adventures in the City of Lights.
- 'Emily in Paris' is moving to Rome
- French President Macron has stepped in
- He wants the show to stay where it is
"Emily" needs to stay
When the news broke that Netflix's 'Emily in Paris' might be swapping baguettes for bruschetta in its upcoming season, fans were left reeling.
But no one had a stronger reaction than French President Emmanuel Macron, who has now vowed to keep the show's setting in Paris.
'We will ask them to remain in Paris, ‘Emily in Paris’ in Rome doesn’t make sense," he told 'Variety' in an interview published Wednesday.
The show centers around 20-something American marketing executive Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, who moves from Chicago to Paris for a job and enjoys "la belle vie" in the French capital. It frequently ranks among Netflix’s most-watched shows and when the streaming giant renewed it for a fifth season, its creator Darren Star said Emily will now "have a presence in Rome."
Macron has long been associated with the show. His wife, Brigitte, made a cameo in season four when Emily spotted her in a café and asked for a selfie. And in the show’s fictional universe, Brigitte shares one of Emily social media posts in season one that expressed shock that the French word for vagina – le vagin – is masculine.
Macron exclaimed, highlighting the series' integral role in promoting French culture and boosting tourism.
The connection between the Macron family and 'Emily in Paris' goes beyond mere viewership. The First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, made a memorable cameo in the show's fourth season, sharing screen time with Lily Collins, who stars as the charming Emily Cooper. "I was super proud," Macron gushed, emphasizing the positive image the series casts on France.
"I was super proud, and she was very happy to do it," Macron said about his wife’s cameo. "It’s just a few minutes, but I think it was a very good moment for her. I think it’s good for the image of France. ‘Emily in Paris’ is super positive in terms of attractiveness for the country. For my own business, it’s a very good initiative."
While the show has drawn criticism from some French viewers for leaning into Parisian clichés and avoiding issues like homelessness in the city, it has boosted tourism to the country’s capital, a study conducted by France’s national film center found in January
Despite criticisms of playing into Parisian stereotypes, 'Emily in Paris' has proven to be a boon for French tourism. A study revealed that the show inspired nearly 38% of tourists to visit France, underscoring its significant impact on the country's tourism industry.
While the president has been a vocal supporter of the series, don't expect to see him rubbing elbows with Emily and her crew. Self-deprecatingly, Macron admits he's "less attractive" than his wife, opting to leave the on-screen appearances to her.
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As 'Emily in Paris' prepares for its next chapter, the battle to keep the show in Paris highlights the deep cultural ties and economic benefits it brings to the French capital. With President Macron leading the charge, Paris isn't ready to say "au revoir" to Emily just yet.
