Double Take
Everyone knows Lily Chee. But as the Internet darling tells close friend Ming Lee Simmons, there's more than meets the eye.
Interview by MING LEE SIMMONS
Photos by NOLAN ZANGAS
Fashion by MICHELLE LI
Lily Chee grew up posing for the camera, but it wasn’t long before her YouTube vlogs went viral, too. Then came the acting jobs, all while finishing up a degree at Columbia University. Diploma now in her freshly manicured hand, the world is fair game.
Ming Lee Simmons: What’s your favorite thing about working in this industry?
Lily Chee: Honestly, meeting so many cool people. Like, it’s crazy that we met at a Balmain show in Paris. It’s also just what I genuinely love to do. I love to be on set. I love to act. I love to model. I like being around other people that are passionate. It doesn’t matter if it’s ballet, tennis, anything.
Ming: How would you define your style?
Lily: I feel like it’s a mix of everything: edgy, sporty, and preppy. I try to keep my own aesthetic. When we go out, you’re always like, “What are you even wearing?” I like to be comfortable—that’s the most important thing—but also chic. Even if I’m wearing something laid-back, like basketball shorts and a T-shirt, I’ll pair it with a cute ballet flat, like the pink Chanel ones you got me for my graduation.
Ming: You love those. What’s your favorite piece in your wardrobe?
Lily: Probably the flats, but I’m also obsessed with this Saint Laurent bag that I never stop wearing. It’s pretty disheveled at this point, but I can’t go anywhere without it.
Ming: Oh the bucket-set-in-a-sink bag? You literally wear it everywhere. I was going to get you another one for your birthday.
Lily: Get me the red or the leopard one, please. I carry everything in that bag: a film camera, a digital camera, Advil, lip gloss, lip liner, you name it.
Ming: Okay, Mary Poppins. When you go out, do you dress yourself?
Lily: My mom is my stylist. I can’t leave the house for an event without consulting her about my hair, my makeup, and what I’m wearing. I don’t know where she gets it from, but I have so much trust in her taste. She taught me so much, like “Less is more.” Sometimes we disagree, but we generally share the same style. Sometimes I’ll get home, and there’s a package from Depop, and she’ll be like, “Oh I found this Tom Ford-era Gucci. You’re going to look so good in it.”
Ming: You’re done with school, but before that how was balancing it with work?
Lily: It’s been kind of crazy. I felt the need to have straight A’s and to be on the dean’s list. Even when we went to Coachella together, and I flew from Palm Springs to Japan for the Dior show, I still made it back to New York for class. Then a couple of days later I was in Los Angeles, then in Lake Como for the Chanel Cruise show, then in Tahiti for a job.
Ming: You go so hard for both. I’ll never forget your 21st birthday. We had just flown from Paris all the way to LA, and we were going to Vegas. You sat down, put headphones on, and were writing a paper. I couldn’t even sit still.
Lily: I remember how surprised you were. You were like, “Wait, what are you doing?” Also for context, this guy had just broken up with me.
Ming: I know. We were both heartbroken.
Lily: I was crying, listening to Gracie Abrams, then I just got my laptop out.
Ming: You’re like my baby sister. I’m so proud of you. I watch you and think,Damn, she’s locked and loaded.
Lily: I love you.
Ming: I love you, too. You’ve also been acting. What drew you to that world in the first place?
Lily: I did a couple of big commercials when I was younger, but as a kid there wasn’t really any pressure. It was like an after-school activity or a hobby; I didn’t realize what a privilege it was.And that’s kind of how I fell into it. I love being able to get lost in a character. I’m really sensitive and have a lot of emotions, so it’s fun to tap into that vulnerability.
“My mom is my stylist. I don’t know where she gets it from, but I have so much trust in her taste.” — Lily Chee
Ming: How do you prepare for roles?
Lily: If I am doing something in person, I always take deep breaths, say three things that I’m feeling, and listen to music. It sounds silly, but it really helps.
Ming: How do you stay grounded?
Lily: Honestly, having my best friends. And my family. I think my mom created my sisters [Mabel and Nuala] and put them on this earth to humble me. If I go out at night and meet a bunch of celebrities and then call Mabel the next day, she’ll be like, “I don’t fucking care, shut up.”
Ming: Mabel will really put you in your place.
Lily: Yeah, they both will. And as you know, I’m super close with my mom. Even if I’m just dating someone, he has to know my mom.
Ming: My relationship with your mom keeps me grounded. What advice do you live by?
Lily: Be consistent. Luckily for me, I was super embarrassing when I was 14 and 15 so I don’t have to worry about that now, but just do the embarrassing thing.
Ming: Is there anything people don’t know about you?
Lily: I feel like they know everything. It’s funny, whenever I meet someone they usually already know so much, like my style, what music I listen to, who my sisters are.
Ming: How does it feel knowing so many people are paying attention to you?
Lily: I am my own harshest critic, right? Sometimes I get insecure that I should be doing more just because everyone around me is, but I’m grateful. I feel like the luckiest girl every single day.
Ming: What’s next?
Lily: To focus on everything else—being Lily Chee is a full-time job.