Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Melody Depp (born May 27, 1999) is a French-American actress and model.[1][2] The daughter of American actor Johnny Depp and French singer, actress, and model Vanessa Paradis, she was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, and has a younger brother, Jack.[2][3] Depp entered the modeling industry in her mid-teens, signing with a leading agency and becoming a Chanel brand ambassador, featuring in campaigns for Chanel No. 5 perfume and appearing on magazine covers.[4][5] She debuted as an actress in 2014 with a minor role in Kevin Smith's horror-comedy Tusk, which also starred her father, and gained further notice for her performance in the biographical drama The Dancer (2016).[6][7] Depp rose to prominence with the lead role of aspiring pop star Jocelyn in the 2023 HBO series The Idol, co-created by Sam Levinson and The Weeknd, which faced widespread criticism for its explicit content and depiction of industry exploitation, leading to its cancellation after one season despite Depp's defense of the project and its creative vision.[8][9] Her recent work includes the role of Ellen Hutter in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu (2024), marking continued expansion into genre films.[7]Early life
Family background and upbringing
Lily-Rose Melody Depp was born on May 27, 1999, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, France, to American actor Johnny Depp and French singer-actress Vanessa Paradis.[2][10] Her parents had begun their relationship in 1998 after meeting on the set of the film The Ninth Gate, and Depp's birth followed shortly thereafter, marking the couple's first child.[10] She has a younger brother, John "Jack" Christopher Depp III, born on April 9, 2002, making the siblings approximately three years apart.[11] The family maintained a low public profile during the children's early years, with Depp and Paradis shielding them from media scrutiny despite their own high-profile careers; Johnny Depp later described prioritizing family privacy and raising the children primarily in France to provide a grounded environment away from Hollywood's intensity.[12][13] Depp's upbringing involved splitting time between homes in Paris and Los Angeles, fostering bilingual proficiency in French and English; her mother, Paradis, emphasized French cultural immersion and language acquisition, which Depp has credited for her strong ties to her French heritage.[14][15] The parents separated amicably in 2012 after 14 years together but arranged joint custody, continuing to co-parent without public acrimony and maintaining family unity, as evidenced by joint appearances and Depp's reflections on a supportive sibling bond with Jack.[11][16]Education and formative experiences
Lily-Rose Depp was born on May 27, 1999, in Paris, France, and spent her early childhood primarily in France with her mother, French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis, while also dividing time with her father, American actor Johnny Depp, in Los Angeles following her parents' separation in 2012.[2] This bicoastal upbringing in a bilingual English-French household exposed her to multicultural influences from a young age, fostering independence and a sense of normalcy despite her parents' fame, as she later described maintaining childhood freedoms like play and exploration away from the public eye.[17] [18] Depp attended prestigious private schools in Los Angeles, where she performed well academically during her formative years.[2] However, she left high school before completing her senior year in 2016 at age 16, prioritizing her emerging modeling and acting pursuits over formal graduation, a decision she attributed to her parents' understanding given their own non-traditional career paths in entertainment.[19] [20] No records indicate subsequent formal higher education, with Depp instead gaining practical experience through early professional engagements influenced by her family's industry connections.[21] Her early exposure to the arts stemmed from summers on the French Côte d'Azur and travels accompanying her parents' work, which instilled an appreciation for performance and fashion without direct pressure to enter the industry prematurely.[22] This environment, combined with a deliberate shielding from Hollywood's spotlight by her parents, shaped her self-reliant approach to career choices, emphasizing personal instinct over structured academic progression.[23]Modeling career
Entry into fashion and key breakthroughs
Lily-Rose Depp began her modeling career in April 2015 at age 15, with her debut photoshoot for Oyster magazine, which she previewed on Instagram.[24] Shortly thereafter, she appeared at the Chanel Métiers d'Art pre-fall show in New York, marking her initial high-profile fashion event attendance.[25] In September 2015, at 16 years old, Depp was selected for her first Chanel campaign, promoting the brand's pearl eyewear collection, establishing her as one of the youngest faces for the luxury house.[26] A pivotal breakthrough occurred on December 6, 2016, when Depp made her runway debut, opening the Chanel Métiers d'Art show at the Ritz Paris.[27][28] This appearance solidified her association with Chanel, leading to further campaigns and positioning her as an emerging figure in high fashion, leveraging her youthful appeal and familial connections to actors Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis.[4] Her rapid ascent highlighted the role of nepotism in fashion access, though her subsequent work demonstrated professional viability in editorial and brand endorsements.[29]Major campaigns, endorsements, and influence
Depp became a Chanel brand ambassador in July 2015 at age 16, selected personally by then-creative director Karl Lagerfeld as the face of the house's Pearl eyewear collection, marking her debut campaign in September 2015.[30][31] This appointment followed in the footsteps of her mother, Vanessa Paradis, a longtime Chanel ambassador since 1990, positioning Depp as the youngest figure to front the brand's global campaigns and embody its appeal to emerging generations.[30] Subsequent campaigns included the Chanel No. 5 L'Eau fragrance launch in 2016, which saw a reported 30% sales increase within three months of her involvement, alongside the Rouge Coco Gloss lipstick line and the Autumn/Winter 2017 ready-to-wear featuring her alongside Cara Delevingne.[26] She also starred in the Chanel 22 handbag campaign in April 2022, the Coco Neige ski collection in October 2023, and the summer 2024 makeup line Jardin de Camille.[32][33][34] On the runway, Depp made her catwalk debut at the Chanel Couture Autumn 2015 show, walked the Cruise 2017 collection, and closed the Couture Spring 2017 presentation.[26] No major endorsements with brands other than Chanel have been documented.[35] Depp's influence in fashion stems primarily from her role in Chanel's strategy to engage Gen-Z consumers, leveraging her social media presence—over 3.4 million Instagram followers as of 2017—and editorial appearances, such as covers for British and French Vogue shot by Lagerfeld and Hedi Slimane.[26] Her near-exclusive red-carpet alignment with Chanel has reinforced the house's narrative of intergenerational continuity while amplifying its visibility among younger demographics, as evidenced by her inclusion in the Business of Fashion 500 list of industry shapers since 2017.[26][36]Acting career
Early independent roles (2014–2018)
Depp's acting debut came in 2014 with a minor role as a girl clerk in the horror comedy Tusk, directed by Kevin Smith, where her father Johnny Depp starred as the lead antagonist.[37] The film, which follows a podcaster transformed into a walrus-like creature, marked her entry into cinema at age 15 but offered limited screen time for her character.[6] In 2016, she secured her first lead role in Yoga Hosers, another Kevin Smith production and spin-off of Tusk, portraying Colleen Collette, a teenage yoga enthusiast and convenience store clerk battling supernatural bratwurst creatures alongside her friend (played by Harley Quinn Smith).[38] Johnny Depp reprised a supporting role as a detective, linking the film to the prior entry in Smith's "True North Trilogy."[39] The low-budget comedy horror received predominantly negative reviews for its uneven tone and execution, earning a 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 41 critic scores.[40] That same year, Depp starred as Isadora Duncan in The Dancer (La Danseuse), a French biographical drama directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto, depicting the early 20th-century rivalry between pioneering dancer Loïe Fuller (Soko) and her protégé Duncan.[41] At 17, Depp underwent intensive dance training for the role, contributing to the film's focus on physical performance and historical choreography.[42] Critics noted her commitment but divided on the overall narrative coherence, with a 59% Rotten Tomatoes score from 29 reviews.[42] Depp also appeared in Planetarium (2016), a French-Belgian drama directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, playing Kate Barlow, one of two American sisters (with Natalie Portman as Laura) performing spiritualist séances in pre-World War II Europe before attracting a producer's interest.[43] The film explored themes of exploitation and mysticism but was widely criticized for its vague plotting and lack of cohesion, holding a 15% Rotten Tomatoes rating from 26 reviews.[44] By 2018, she took on the role of Eva, the precocious young half-sister in A Faithful Man (L'Homme fidèle), a French romantic comedy directed by and starring Louis Garrel, involving a love triangle complicated by death and rekindled affections.[45] Depp's character adds tension through her infatuation with the protagonist, aligning with the film's light, Truffaut-inspired style.[46] The project garnered more favorable reception, with an 82% Rotten Tomatoes score from 57 critics, praising its witty dialogue despite familiar tropes.[46] She also featured in the thriller Les Fauves (The Wild), directed by Vincent Mariette, as Chloé, a teenager entangled in a provincial murder mystery amid a heatwave.[47] These roles demonstrated her shift toward French cinema and varied genres, though often in ensemble or supporting capacities within independent productions.[48]Mainstream breakthrough and recent projects (2019–present)
Depp's transition to more prominent roles began in 2019 with her appearance in the Netflix historical drama The King, directed by David Michôd, where she portrayed Fleuriot, a lady-in-waiting to the French princess, in a cast featuring Timothée Chalamet as Henry V and Joel Edgerton.[7] The film, an adaptation of Shakespearean history plays, received generally positive reviews for its performances and production values, though it earned mixed critical reception overall. In 2021, she starred in the science fiction thriller Voyagers, directed by Neil Burger, playing Sela, a young crew member on a multi-generational spaceship facing psychological and social experiments. The film explored themes of human nature and control in isolation, co-starring Colin Farrell and Fionn Whitehead, but garnered lukewarm reviews, with critics citing predictable plotting despite its intriguing premise. Depp achieved wider visibility in 2023 as the lead in HBO's The Idol, a drama series co-created by Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), and Reza Fahim, where she played Jocelyn, a pop star recovering from trauma and drawn into a manipulative relationship with a cult leader portrayed by Tesfaye. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2023, the series faced significant backlash for its portrayal of exploitative themes and perceived misogyny, leading to creative overhauls and cancellation after one season on August 7, 2023; Depp has defended the project, stating it taught her valuable lessons in resilience and artistry without regrets.[49][9] Her performance in Robert Eggers' 2024 gothic horror remake Nosferatu marked a critical turning point, with Depp portraying Ellen Hutter, a woman obsessed with and haunted by the vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), in a film released on December 25, 2024.[50] Critics praised her intensely physical and emotional depiction, noting its spellbinding quality amid the film's atmospheric dread, contributing to an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 379 reviews.[51][52] The role involved rigorous preparation, including training in Japanese absurdist dance theater to embody the character's torment.[53]Other professional ventures
Music releases and collaborations
Lily-Rose Depp's foray into music occurred through her starring role in the 2023 HBO series The Idol, where she provided vocals for multiple tracks on the accompanying soundtrack albums. These releases marked her primary musical output to date, consisting of collaborative singles rather than solo albums or independent projects.[54][55] A prominent release was "One of the Girls," featuring The Weeknd and Jennie of Blackpink, issued on July 6, 2023, as part of The Idol Episode 4 (Music from the HBO Original Series). The song, produced under The Weeknd's XO imprint and Republic Records, achieved over 1.2 billion plays on YouTube Music by late 2025.[56][57] Its thematic alignment with the series' narrative of seduction and power dynamics contributed to its viral reception on streaming platforms.[58] Depp also contributed to "Fill the Void" with The Weeknd and Ramsey, released in 2023 on The Idol Episode 5 Part 2 (Music from the HBO Original Series), accumulating 53 million plays on YouTube Music. Additional tracks include "World Class Sinner / I'm a Freak" and "Dollhouse," both from the The Idol soundtracks, showcasing her vocal style in alternative R&B and pop contexts.[54][58][59] No solo music releases or collaborations outside The Idol have been documented as of October 2025, with Depp's musical efforts remaining tied to the series' production, co-created by The Weeknd and Sam Levinson.[60][55] Her performances received mixed feedback, with some praising her sultry delivery while others critiqued the soundtrack's overall artistic merit amid the show's controversies.[61]Fashion and media contributions
Lily-Rose Depp was appointed as a Chanel brand ambassador in July 2015 at age 16, becoming the face of the house's Pearl eyewear collection in a campaign personally selected by then-creative director Karl Lagerfeld.[30] This marked her as the youngest ambassador for the French luxury brand, following in the footsteps of her mother, Vanessa Paradis, who had represented Chanel since 1990.[26] Depp's ambassadorship has involved fronting numerous campaigns, including the CHANEL 22 Bag collection photographed in Los Angeles in October 2023 and the Coco Neige ski line in 2023, where she embodied the brand's emphasis on versatile, everyday luxury.[62][63] Beyond campaigns, Depp has contributed to fashion media through editorial features that showcase her as a style influencer blending high-end couture with accessible trends. Her debut editorial appeared in Oyster Magazine in April 2015, shortly after her Chanel announcement, highlighting her emerging presence in print media.[64] Subsequent appearances include Karim Sadli's shoot for i-D Magazine's Spring 2023 issue, Richard Kern's portfolio in Interview's Winter 2024 edition, and features in Elle US in 2022, often emphasizing her dual French-American aesthetic of Parisian refinement paired with streetwear elements like vintage denim and minimalist basics.[65][66][67] Depp's red carpet and street style selections, frequently in Chanel pieces such as tweed jackets and little black dresses, have been documented in media outlets as exemplifying a "new-age French-girl" look that influences Gen Z trends toward eclectic mixing of eras and price points.[68][69] In interviews, such as one with Harper's Bazaar in October 2025 during Paris Fashion Week, she has discussed drawing inspiration from her mother's wardrobe, reinforcing her role in perpetuating intergenerational fashion narratives within luxury media.[70] These contributions underscore her function as a bridge between heritage brands and contemporary digital audiences, though critics note the role's reliance on familial connections rather than independent merit.[71]Personal life
Family dynamics and relationships
Lily-Rose Depp was born on May 27, 1999, in Paris, France, to American actor Johnny Depp and French singer-actress Vanessa Paradis, who began their relationship in 1998 and separated amicably in 2012 without marrying.[10] The couple share a second child, son John "Jack" Christopher Depp III, born on April 9, 2002.[11] Following the separation, Depp primarily resided with Paradis in France, where she was raised bilingual in English and French, while maintaining regular contact with her father, who split time between the U.S. and Europe.[72] Her parents prioritized shielding both children from media attention during their upbringing, fostering a relatively private family environment despite their high profiles.[73] Depp has described a close, affectionate bond with both parents, recounting a non-traditional childhood marked by travel and artistic influences but insulated from Hollywood's excesses.[74] She has praised her father as "the sweetest, most loving person" in a 2016 Instagram post amid early allegations against him, when she was 17.[75] Her relationship with her younger brother Jack remains strong and supportive; she has called him "the coolest person ever" and shared childhood anecdotes, such as his early mimicry of her on-set experiences by age 3 or 4, dressing as Dracula for playful line readings.[16][76] Jack, who avoids public life and works as a bartender in Paris, contrasts Depp's career path, highlighting a family dynamic where siblings pursue independent choices without apparent rivalry.[77] During her father's 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard, Depp chose public silence despite fan pressure and harassment, stating it was a private family matter not requiring her commentary, though she did not testify.[78][79] This stance aligns with the family's broader emphasis on privacy, as evidenced by limited public disclosures about inter-parental relations post-separation, which appear cooperative and free of acrimony.[80]Romantic history and privacy
Lily-Rose Depp's first publicly reported romantic relationship was with British model Ash Stymest, beginning in October 2015 after they were spotted together in New York City.[81] [82] The pair, who frequently traveled internationally, were seen displaying affection at events and on social media until their apparent split around April 2018.[81] [83] In 2018, Depp began dating actor Timothée Chalamet, with whom she co-starred in the film The King; their relationship lasted until April 2020, ending amicably amid reports of differing schedules due to filming commitments.[84] [83] She confirmed the romance publicly in September 2019 by attending the Venice Film Festival premiere of A Rainy Day in New York with him.[84] Depp was later linked to model Yassine Stein from 2021 to 2022, though details remain sparse and unconfirmed beyond sightings and social media interactions.[83] Since early 2023, she has been in a relationship with rapper 070 Shake (Danielle Balbuena), first sparking rumors in January after joint appearances; Depp referenced the partnership indirectly in interviews, noting her happiness while avoiding specifics.[85] [86] Depp has consistently emphasized protecting her personal life from public scrutiny, stating in a 2019 Vogue interview that she prefers others view her as "boring" rather than overshare intimate details.[87] In December 2024, she told The Hollywood Reporter that maintaining "a sense of anonymity" and "grounded-ness" is essential, drawing from family examples of selective publicity to safeguard what "really belongs to you."[88] [89] She reiterated in a January 2025 interview her commitment to privacy despite fame's demands, working "ten times harder" to prove merit while keeping relationships off-limits.[90] This approach aligns with her limited confirmations of partnerships, prioritizing professional boundaries over tabloid exposure.[91]Health struggles and recovery
In early 2007, at the age of seven, Lily-Rose Depp was hospitalized in London after contracting an E. coli infection that led to kidney failure.[92] Her father, Johnny Depp, later described the ordeal as the darkest period of his life, stating he was uncertain whether she would survive.[93] Depp remained by her bedside throughout the hospitalization, and she made a full recovery following medical treatment.[94] Depp subsequently developed anorexia nervosa during her teenage years, a condition she attributed in part to the pressures of early public exposure and critical online comments about her body.[93] In a 2015 interview, she revealed having battled the eating disorder for an extended period, emphasizing the challenge of overcoming it and expressing pride in her progress toward recovery.[95] Depp noted the difficulty of restoring normal eating habits, stating that those familiar with the disorder understand the effort required to regain health.[96] By 2016, she publicly affirmed being on the road to recovery after investing significant energy in combating the illness.[97]Controversies and criticisms
Nepotism accusations and merit debates
Lily-Rose Depp has faced repeated accusations of benefiting from nepotism in her modeling and acting careers, primarily attributed to her parents, actors Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, both established stars with extensive industry connections. Critics argue that her early breakthroughs, such as signing with Chanel at age 15 in 2015—shortly after Paradis's long-standing role as a Chanel ambassador since 1990—provided unearned visibility in a highly competitive fashion world where newcomers typically require years of groundwork.[98] Similarly, her acting debut in the 2016 film Yoga Hosers, directed by Kevin Smith and co-starring her father, is cited as an instance of familial favoritism, enabling entry without the standard audition gauntlet faced by non-celebrity offspring.[99] Depp has consistently rejected the "nepo baby" label, asserting in a November 2022 Elle interview that her parents offered no direct assistance, emphasizing her independent auditions, training at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film School starting at age 16, and personal effort as the basis for her roles. She contended that nepotism accusations disproportionately target women, suggesting a sexist double standard, and claimed that famous parentage does not guarantee success or insulate from failure, pointing to her own rejections early on.[99] [100] In a November 2024 Vanity Fair interview promoting her lead role in Nosferatu, Depp dismissed detractors as talking "s---" without merit, praising her parents as "incredible" role models who encouraged self-reliance rather than leveraging their networks.[101] Director Robert Eggers corroborated this for Nosferatu, stating she secured the part through a compelling audition, independent of any parental influence.[102] These defenses sparked backlash, particularly from the fashion industry, where supermodels and insiders accused Depp of lacking self-awareness about nepotism's structural advantages, such as easier access to top agencies, photographers, and casting directors in an field where 99% of aspirants fail to break through without connections.[98] Commentators, including brand experts, note that children of celebrities inherently gain "built-in" edges like introductions to producers and reduced financial risks for employers, amplifying even modest talent in Hollywood's risk-averse ecosystem.[103] While Depp's subsequent roles in films like The King (2019) and series such as The Idol (2023) demonstrate professional continuity, debates persist on whether her trajectory reflects innate merit or amplified opportunity; empirical patterns in entertainment show offspring of A-listers are overrepresented in leads by factors of 10-20 times compared to the general population, underscoring causal links between lineage and access absent rigorous blind casting reforms.[104][105]Backlash to The Idol and professional choices
The Idol, an HBO series starring Lily-Rose Depp as pop star Jocelyn, premiered on June 5, 2023, and faced immediate backlash for its explicit sexual content, graphic nudity, and perceived glorification of abusive relationships. Critics and viewers accused the show of misogyny, with outlets like The Guardian labeling it a "repellent male fantasy" that exploited themes of trauma and sex work without depth. The series, co-created by Sam Levinson, The Weeknd, and Reza Fahim, underwent significant reshoots that shifted its focus toward critiquing the pop industry, but this change fueled further criticism for abandoning its original intent on cult dynamics.[106] Depp's performance drew mixed reactions; while some praised her commitment to nude scenes and emotional range, others viewed her role as reinforcing exploitative tropes, particularly given the show's cancellation after one season on August 8, 2023, due to poor ratings and reception. In response to the backlash, Depp has defended the project, stating in a November 2024 Vanity Fair interview that she still loves the series and anticipated its provocative nature, noting, "We always knew some people were not going to like it and that it was going to be too much for some people."[9] She emphasized that the intent was to "push society's buttons," rejecting claims of poor execution as misaligned with the creators' vision.[107] Regarding professional choices, Depp's decision to star in The Idol—despite its controversies and her limited prior acting experience—has been scrutinized as prioritizing high-profile, edgy projects over safer roles, potentially amplifying perceptions of her career trajectory influenced by familial connections rather than consistent merit.[49] In January 2025 interviews, she reiterated no regrets, defending co-creator Levinson against personal attacks and asserting that criticisms of him "couldn't be further from the truth," while highlighting her willingness to tackle challenging material.[8][108] This stance aligns with her broader pattern of selecting roles in auteur-driven films like The King (2019) and Nosferatu (2024), where she has sought to demonstrate range amid ongoing debates about her selections' artistic risks versus commercial viability.[109]Public silence during father's legal battles
During Johnny Depp's defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard, which began on April 11, 2022, in Fairfax County Circuit Court, Virginia, and lasted six weeks until the June 1 verdict, Lily-Rose Depp refrained from any public statements or social media commentary on the proceedings.[110][111] The trial centered on Heard's 2018 Washington Post op-ed implying Depp abused her, with Depp seeking $50 million in damages; the jury ultimately found Heard liable on three counts, awarding Depp $10 million in compensatory damages (with $350,000 punitive capped by Virginia law) while she received $2 million on one counterclaim.[110][79] Depp's silence contrasted with prior support from her mother, Vanessa Paradis, who in July 2020 submitted a written declaration for Depp's UK libel case against The Sun—which Depp lost but appealed—describing him as non-violent based on their 14-year relationship and shared parenting of Lily-Rose and her brother Jack.[112] Paradis reiterated private backing during the 2022 trial but did not testify publicly.[113] Lily-Rose's brother Jack also remained publicly mute, though unverified claims circulated of private texts from Lily-Rose to Heard expressing sympathy pre-trial.[114] Her reticence drew online harassment from Depp's advocates, who flooded her Instagram comments demanding allegiance amid graphic trial testimony, including audio of Heard admitting to hitting Depp and allegations of mutual violence.[79][115] In a November 2022 Elle interview, Lily-Rose defended her approach, stating, "I'm not here to answer for anybody," and asserting her entitlement to a private family life separate from public scrutiny, while noting she had faced vilification for the omission. She emphasized that her silence did not equate to disloyalty, prioritizing personal boundaries over performative solidarity in a case exposing intimate details like drug use and physical altercations.[116][117] Post-verdict, on June 2, 2022, Lily-Rose broke her silence with an Instagram Story featuring a childhood photo of her and Depp, captioned, "I love you dad. So proud to be your daughter," signaling support after the jury rejected most of Heard's abuse narrative.[118] This minimal engagement aligned with her broader pattern of shielding family dynamics from media amplification, amid reports of strained relations during the trial's peak.[119]Reception and legacy
Critical assessments of work
Lily-Rose Depp's early film roles drew mixed to negative critical responses, often highlighting limitations in her acting depth despite her visual appeal. In her debut feature Yoga Hosers (2016), directed by Kevin Smith, reviewers lambasted the overall production as sloppy and unfunny, with Depp's performance alongside Harley Quinn Smith singled out as particularly weak and unconvincing.[120] [121] The film holds a 26% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting broad consensus on its indulgent failures, including amateurish line deliveries from the young leads.[40] Subsequent roles showed marginal improvement but persistent critiques of emotional range. In The Dancer (2016), portraying Isadora Duncan, Depp was described as adding decorative value through her presence but contributing little substantive acting, with the character deemed poorly written and her portrayal leaving much to be desired.[122] [123] The film earned a 59% Rotten Tomatoes score, buoyed by cinematography and dance sequences rather than performances, though some noted its dragging pace and unsmiling lead dynamics.[42] Her television lead in HBO's The Idol (2023) amplified scrutiny, with the series' 19% Rotten Tomatoes rating underscoring script and thematic issues, yet Depp's portrayal of pop star Jocelyn faced divided assessments. Critics like Variety deemed it emblematic of a sordid fantasy, portraying her as glazed-over and vulnerable in exploitative contexts, while others praised her as game and grounded, lifting scenes through physicality and insecurities despite the material's gutter-level execution.[124] [125] [126] User reviews echoed this, noting her efforts amid poor rewriting but critiquing bland side elements.[127] More recent work in Nosferatu (2024) has elicited polarized reactions, positioning Depp as a potential turning point or continued shortfall. Director Robert Eggers lauded her audition as "insane" and "feral," bringing him to tears and highlighting physical intensity.[128] Some outlets and audiences hailed it as a career-best, with believable switches between vulnerability and haunting presence, countering prior "iPhone face" detractors.[129] [130] However, detractors intensified complaints of bland, flavorless delivery and poor emotional conveyance, deeming it worse than The Idol and reliant on nudity over skill.[131] [132] Across her oeuvre, assessments frequently attribute strengths to physical and visual elements over nuanced character work, with mainstream critics like those from Roger Ebert and Variety emphasizing material constraints while user forums underscore perceived inexperience.[120] [124]Public image and cultural impact
Lily-Rose Depp's public image is predominantly influenced by her parentage, as the daughter of actors Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, which has fueled ongoing debates about nepotism in Hollywood and fashion. Critics frequently label her a "nepo baby," arguing that her early opportunities, such as Chanel campaigns starting at age 15, stemmed directly from her mother's longstanding relationship with the brand rather than independent merit.[133] In response, Depp has dismissed persistent detractors, stating in a 2024 interview that "if people still want to talk shit, that's not my problem," while acknowledging familial advantages but asserting her dedication to proving her worth through work.[134] [135] Her persona is further characterized by a low-key approach to her father's high-profile legal battles, including maintaining public silence during the 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard, prioritizing a separate professional identity over familial endorsement.[136] This discretion, combined with her frequent appearances at luxury fashion events, portrays her as an enigmatic, elite figure detached from tabloid drama, often spotted in lavish settings like Chanel shows.[137] In terms of cultural impact, Depp exerts influence primarily within fashion and youth aesthetics, serving as a Gen Z style muse who merges 1990s grunge elements with high-end couture, as seen in her promotion of trends like oversized jackets and skirt-suits.[138] [139] Her Chanel ambassadorship since 2015 has positioned her as a trendsetter for emerging consumers, inspiring social media-driven looks that blend accessibility with aspiration among younger demographics.[140] However, her broader cultural footprint remains nascent, centered on visual and stylistic realms rather than transformative shifts in acting or media narratives, with limited evidence of widespread societal emulation beyond niche fashion circles.[141]Filmography
Feature films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Tusk | Girl Clerk #2 | Feature film debut |
| 2016 | Yoga Hosers | Colleen Collette | Spin-off from Tusk |
| 2016 | Planetarium | Kate Barlow | Co-starring Natalie Portman[43] |
| 2016 | The Dancer | Isadora Duncan | Lead role as the dancer[41] |
| 2018 | Savage (Les Fauves) | Laura | Thriller set during a heatwave[142] |
| 2018 | A Faithful Man | Ève | Romantic comedy[45] |
| 2019 | The King | Catherine | Historical drama co-starring Timothée Chalamet[143] |
| 2021 | Voyagers | Sela | Sci-fi thriller[144] |
| 2021 | Crisis | Emmie Kelly | Opioid crisis ensemble film[145] |
| 2021 | Wolf | Wildcat | Psychological drama about species dysphoria[146] |
| 2021 | Silent Night | Sophie | Dark comedy with ensemble cast including Keira Knightley[147] |
| 2024 | Nosferatu | Ellen Hutter | Horror remake directed by Robert Eggers[50] |
Television
Lily-Rose Depp's sole television acting credit to date is her lead role as Jocelyn in the HBO miniseries The Idol, which premiered on June 5, 2023.[148] In the series, created by Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, Depp portrays an emerging pop star navigating the exploitative underbelly of the music industry after the death of her mother, including her involvement with a manipulative self-help cult led by the character Tedros, played by Tesfaye.[149] The production marked Depp's first foray into scripted television, following her film debut in 2014's Tusk.[150] The Idol ran for five episodes, concluding on August 7, 2023, and was not renewed for a second season amid widespread critical backlash for its handling of themes like misogyny and excess.[148] Depp performed several musical numbers as her character, including contributions to the soundtrack such as the single "One of the Girls," which she recorded with Tesfaye and JENNIE of Blackpink.[148] Despite the series' poor reception, with an IMDb rating of 4.4/10 from over 115,000 users, Depp has defended her participation, stating in interviews that she valued the opportunity to tackle a complex role and work with the creative team.[49][8]Music videos and shorts
Depp starred in the music video for Rejjie Snow's "All Around the World," released in July 2015, portraying a lead role in the mellow, soulful track's visual narrative.[151] She featured prominently in the promotional short film for Chanel No. 5 L'Eau, released in 2016, embodying contrasting characteristics such as freedom and attachment through multiple roles in a paradoxical storyline directed by the brand.[152] In April 2022, Depp appeared in the short film Chanel 22 (II), directed by Inez and Vinoodh, where she personified youthful independence in Los Angeles, highlighting the CHANEL 22 bag amid an updated depiction of the American Way of Life from dawn to dusk.[32] Depp contributed vocals and appeared in the music video for "One of the Girls" by The Weeknd featuring JENNIE, released on July 6, 2023, as part of the soundtrack for the HBO series The Idol in which she starred as Jocelyn; the video depicts intense, ritualistic scenes aligning with the series' themes.[56] She starred in the music video for 070 Shake's "Winter Baby / New Jersey Blues," released on October 15, 2024, performing in retro-inspired sequences including dance routines in a shimmery pink dress, directed by Bennett Watanabe and emphasizing authentic relational dynamics.[153][154]Awards and nominations
Lily-Rose Depp has received one award and numerous nominations, predominantly for her breakthrough roles in French cinema and her recent horror performance. Her sole win came for a short film, while nominations include prestigious French industry honors and genre-specific recognitions.[155]| Year | Award | Category | Nominated for | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Golden Schmoes Awards | Best Actress of the Year | Nosferatu | Nominated[155] |
| 2024 | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Drama | Nosferatu | Nominated[155] |
| 2019 | César Awards | Most Promising Actress | A Faithful Man | Nominated[156][157] |
| 2019 | Los Angeles Film Awards | Best Actress | My Last Lullaby (short) | Won[155] |
| 2017 | Lumières Awards | Best Female Revelation | The Dancer | Nominated[157] |
| 2017 | César Awards | Most Promising Actress | The Dancer | Nominated[156][157] |