Neil Pond
Updated on: October 10, 2024 4:52 pm GMT
Brigitte Macron Steals the Show: French First Lady’s Cameo in Emily in Paris
In an unexpected twist that has captivated fans of the hit series Emily in Paris, French First Lady Brigitte Macron will be making a cameo appearance in the show’s latest season, set to stream on Netflix starting this Thursday. This lighthearted scene showcases Macron, who is known for her fashion sense and charm, posing for a selfie with the show’s main character, Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins. The surprise cameo comes after Macron’s humorous mention in the show’s first season, where she reacted to a post about the French term for vagina.
A Cameo in the City of Lights
First Lady’s Enthusiasm
Brigitte Macron, 71, not only made an entrance into the fictional world of Emily Cooper but also expressed her enthusiasm for the series. According to Collins, the idea for this cameo came to fruition after a meeting between Collins, the series creator Darren Star, and Macron at the Élysée Palace in December 2022. Collins shared with Elle magazine, “She is a big fan of the show and took the mention of her in season one with great humour.”
Brigitte Macron joyfully captures a moment with Emily in Paris’ Lily Collins during her cameo.
The Scene
In her brief scene, Macron interacts with Emily in a chic Parisian restaurant. As Emily approaches her, Macron waves away her security guard, adding a touch of realism to the encounter. After a brief exchange, Emily captures a selfie with Macron and shares it on Instagram, complementing it with the popular hashtag #makeiticonic—a nod to President Macron’s campaign to attract foreign investment to France.
Star praised Macron for her performance, declaring that she “has great talent.” Interestingly, the production team reportedly did not present any specific instructions to her regarding attire, allowing her to choose her own clothing for the cameo.
Background on Brigitte Macron
A Unique Journey
Before stepping into the role of First Lady, Brigitte Macron was a secondary school drama teacher. It was in this setting that she met Emmanuel Macron, who was one of her students at the age of 15. Their unconventional relationship blossomed into marriage 14 years later. This connection to the performing arts aligns well with her recent appearances on-screen.
She previously appeared in the French comedy series Vestiaires, which follows the lives of two disabled swimmers, showcasing her comfortability in front of the camera. Additionally, earlier this year, news broke about a six-part biopic titled Brigitte, une femme libre being produced, further highlighting her influence and public appeal.
The Series’ Appeal and Criticism
Since its premiere in 2020, Emily in Paris has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting significant viewership—nearly 20 million for the first half of season four alone. However, the series has faced its share of backlash, predominantly for its portrayal of life in Paris as unnecessarily idyllic and stereotypical, overlooking the city’s complexities.
Star has maintained that the intention behind the series was to create a celebration of the city, sharing it through the eyes of an American in Paris. “The first thing she sees is the clichés because it’s from her point of view,” he explained in 2020. Critics, however, have not been shy about pointing out the show’s many inaccuracies and clichés related to Parisian life—the lack of representation of real societal issues being a common complaint.
Continuing the Conversation
The Reaction from Fans and Critics
Brigitte Macron’s cameo has generated significant buzz, with many fans eager to see her on-screen debut amidst the show’s glamour and charm. Despite some scathing reviews from outlets like The Telegraph, which criticized the portrayal of fashion and storylines as lacking depth, others found merit in the season’s developments, showcasing a “jaw-dropping finale” recognized by Collider.
The mixed responses reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the series, combining elements of irony and admiration, particularly in France where the show’s ludicrous portrayal of French culture often sparks laughter and indignation simultaneously.
The Impact of Celebrities on Popular Culture
Macron’s participation also offers insight into how institutional figures can weave themselves into the fabric of popular culture. By endorsing a series that has been both celebrated and derided, she may influence perceptions not only of herself but of the ongoing narrative around France’s image in the world.
What’s Next for Emily in Paris
As viewers prepare for the new episodes, many are questioning how the competition between glamorized clichés and more authentic representations of Paris will unfold in the show’s future. Brigitte Macron’s endorsement adds an intriguing layer to the conversation, posing the question: can pop culture ever truly capture the essence of a city?
Emily in Paris continues to pull audiences into its romanticized vision of life in the City of Lights, with Brigitte Macron’s cameo promising to add another captivating chapter in the series’ odyssey. While critics may remain skeptical, fans around the world eagerly anticipate the colorful escapades awaiting them in this beloved show.
As Brigitte Macron graces the screen, the world watches in anticipation—not just for the unfolding fiction, but to see how the lines between real life and entertainment continue to blur amidst Parisian elegance.
Stories play a big role in how we see the world around us. Celebrities and pop culture are closely connected, and this brings up new questions about who we are, how we see each other, and why we are drawn to fantasy in a world that can feel very complicated.
