You know that feeling when a song pops into your head out of nowhere and you're suddenly ten years younger? That’s exactly what happens to a specific corner of the internet every time someone mentions Lily Collins I believe in love. It’s not just a quote from a sappy interview. It’s actually a full-blown musical number from her 2012 breakout role in Mirror Mirror.
Honestly, it was a weird time for movies. We had two Snow White adaptations coming out at once, and while Kristen Stewart was busy being a gritty warrior, Lily Collins was literally dancing through a Bollywood-inspired fever dream.
People tend to forget that Lily didn't start out as the fashion-forward marketing genius in Emily in Paris. Before the berets and the croissant selfies, she was breaking into the industry as the daughter of rock legend Phil Collins. There was a lot of pressure. People expected her to have those "Genesis genes." And when she finally opened her mouth to sing in the credits of Mirror Mirror, she didn't go for a power ballad. She went for a cover of a 1970 song by Nina Hart.
The Mystery Behind Lily Collins I Believe in Love
It’s kinda fascinating how this song even ended up in the movie. The track, "I Believe in Love," wasn't written for the film. It was originally a piece from a 1971 movie called Taking Off. Tarsem Singh, the director of Mirror Mirror, has this incredibly visual, maximalist style, and he decided the best way to end his fairy tale was with a massive, vibrant dance number.
💡 You might also like: Where to Watch Ingrid Goes West: Why This Cringe-Comedy Classic Still Slaps
He had Lily perform it in what's now known as the "Mirror Mirror Mix."
There are actually two versions on the soundtrack:
- The Mirror Mirror Mix: The upbeat, poppy one we all saw in the credits.
- The Evil Queen Mix: A slightly moodier version that feels a bit more "theatre kid."
The lyrics are super simple. "I don't believe in superstars, organic food and foreign cars." It’s basically an anthem about stripping away all the fake stuff and just... believing in the feeling. It’s a bit ironic coming from a Hollywood star, but Lily sells it with this genuine, wide-eyed sincerity that most actors can't pull off without looking cheesy.
Why the Song Went Viral (And Stayed There)
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a song from a 2012 movie. It’s because of the "nepo baby" discourse that blew up a couple of years ago. People started digging through Lily’s old work to see if she actually had the chops or if she just had the last name.
When they found the Mirror Mirror ending, they were actually... surprised? She’s good. She’s not trying to be Adele, and she’s not trying to imitate her dad’s raspy, iconic tone. She has this clear, sweet voice that fits the Disney-adjacent vibe perfectly.
Also, let’s be real. The choreography in that scene is infectious. You’ve got the Seven Dwarfs, the bright costumes, and Lily spinning around in a massive orange dress. It’s pure dopamine.
What Most People Get Wrong About Lily’s "Belief" in Love
Outside of the song, "I believe in love" has become a bit of a mantra for Lily in real life. But it hasn't always been easy for her. If you’ve read her book Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, you know she’s been through the wringer.
She hasn't just had "fairytale" romances.
In her memoir and in several candid chats, like her 2023 appearance on Jay Shetty's podcast, Lily opened up about a toxic relationship she had in her early twenties. She talked about feeling "quieted" and "belittled." It’s a stark contrast to the girl singing about love in a bright yellow gown.
"I felt very small, very quieted," she told Shetty. "I felt belittled, but at the same time, it was what I knew."
This is where the nuance comes in. When Lily says she believes in love now, it’s not coming from a place of naivety. It’s coming from someone who had to learn the difference between "toxic attachment" and "healthy support."
✨ Don't miss: Where the Disney Show Jessie Cast Is Now: Beyond the Ross Penthouse
The Charlie McDowell Era
Fast forward to 2026, and Lily’s love life looks a lot different. She married director Charlie McDowell in 2021 at this stunning, mossy forest ceremony in Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado.
They’re basically a creative powerhouse now. They even launched a production company together called Case Study Films. And for the fans who really track her life, there was that big "full circle" moment in early 2025 when she and Charlie welcomed their daughter, Tove Jane.
It’s kinda sweet—Phil Collins wrote "You'll Be in My Heart" as a lullaby for Lily. Now, Lily is the one singing to her own kid. Rumor has it she even posts videos of herself singing Genesis songs to the baby.
The Phil Collins Factor
You can't talk about Lily Collins and a song called "I Believe in Love" without mentioning the elephant in the room. Her dad.
For a long time, Lily actually tried to distance herself from the music world. She wanted to be known for her acting, her journalism (she used to write for Teen Vogue!), and her own identity. But as she's gotten older, she’s leaned into the legacy.
Working with Alan Menken on the Mirror Mirror soundtrack was a huge deal. Menken is a Disney god—the guy behind The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. For Lily to make her singing debut with him was basically the ultimate "I’ve arrived" moment.
Does she sound like Phil? Not really. But she has that same ability to tell a story through a song.
How to Apply Lily’s "Believe in Love" Philosophy to Your Own Life
If you’re looking at Lily’s journey and wondering how to get that same kind of clarity, it usually starts with the "unfiltered" stuff she talks about in her writing. It’s not about finding a prince; it’s about finding yourself so you don't get lost when the wrong person comes along.
- Audit your "Inner Voice": Lily mentioned that her toxic ex made her feel small. If you're in a situation where you're becoming a "lesser version" of yourself, that’s not love. That’s a red flag.
- Embrace the "Pivot": Lily’s career and love life didn't go in a straight line. She went from being a "nepo baby" curiosity to a respected producer and mother.
- Accept the Cards You're Dealt: One of her favorite quotes from her book is about accepting the situation but controlling how you move forward. You can't control who your parents are or who breaks your heart, but you can control the "next chapter."
If you want to revisit the song that started this whole conversation, you can find the "Mirror Mirror Mix" on most streaming platforms. It’s a great reminder that even if things feel a bit ridiculous—like a Bollywood dance number in a German fairy tale—believing in the "good stuff" isn't such a bad way to live.
To really get the full picture of her journey from that song to her current life, check out her memoir Unfiltered. It fills in the gaps that the song lyrics leave out. You'll see that "believing in love" isn't a passive thing; it's something she had to fight to get back.