Introduction
Lily Collins Was Shocked When She Found Out Phil Collins’ Genesis Songs Were Real | WWHL
In a candid and humorous moment on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, actress Lily Collins surprised fans by revealing a little-known fact about her relationship with her famous father, Phil Collins — and his music. During the show, Lily admitted that she was “shocked” when she first realized that the songs her dad performed with the iconic rock band Genesis were not just “something he made up for fun,” but actual world-renowned hits with real emotional depth and cultural impact.
“I remember being a kid and hearing these weird songs my dad would play around the house,” Lily recalled with a laugh. “I thought he was just messing around or making up stories. I honestly didn’t know Genesis was, like, a real thing with fans all over the world.”
Phil Collins, known for his powerhouse drumming, soulful voice, and emotional songwriting, rose to international fame as both the drummer and lead singer of Genesis. Hits like Invisible Touch, Land of Confusion, and Follow You Follow Me became anthems of the ’80s, helping define a generation. But for Lily, growing up in the shadow of that legacy wasn’t always straightforward — especially when she was too young to understand just how influential her father truly was.
“It wasn’t until I was maybe 10 or 11 when someone played In the Air Tonight at a party and everyone freaked out — like, ‘This is a classic!’ — and I was like, ‘Wait… my dad sings this?’” she admitted. “That was when it really hit me.”
The revelation sparked laughter from both Andy Cohen and the live audience, but it also touched on a more heartfelt aspect of Lily’s journey. As she grew older and began to pursue her own career in Hollywood, she said she started to truly appreciate her father’s artistry. “Once I started acting and diving into storytelling, I realized how much emotion and truth there is in his music. It’s not just catchy — it’s personal.”
Fans online reacted warmly to Lily’s confession, with many commenting on how relatable her experience was. “Imagine growing up with one of the greatest musicians of all time and not realizing it!” one fan tweeted. Others applauded her humility and genuine personality.
Phil Collins has always kept a relatively private life when it comes to his children, but it’s clear that despite the fame, he remained a dad first. Lily’s revelation added a charming human touch to the often larger-than-life image of rock legends. It also reminded viewers that even the children of global superstars might not fully grasp their parents’ cultural impact until much later.
As Lily continues to shine in her own career, starring in hits like Emily in Paris, she does so with a newfound respect for her father’s legacy — and with the knowledge that those “weird songs” from her childhood are, in fact, legendary.