Updated 16 December 2025
Key takeaways:
- 94% of Gen Zers who have watched Emily in Paris previously plan to tune in for the fifth season. However, 22% admit they will be hate-watching.
- Emily’s chaotic love life (60%), obsession with image (41%), and ignorance of cultural norms (37%) are major red flags to Gen Z viewers. Yet, 38% find the character surprisingly relatable.
- Some 62% of Gen Z fans secretly desire Emily’s career or love life, with 82% admitting the show has made them reconsider a major life choice.
With her life of luxury, fashion, travel, and success, Emily Cooper lives the life many dream of – making viewers question whether they should jet off to Europe to live lavishly on a modest salary and find an exotic love interest (or three).
But Emily’s a polarizing protagonist. While some love her confidence and charm, others find her chaotic and cringeworthy.
Ahead of season five, EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 Gen Z viewers on whether Emily in Paris still holds their attention, how they feel about the Netflix hit’s most prominent characters, and how the show has influenced their lives.
It’s hard to look away from the messy cocktail of luxurious aesthetics and dramatic plotlines that is Emily in Paris. Desperate to know where Emily’s chaotic love life and constant professional problems will take her next, 32% of Gen Z viewers have already watched every season. However, the 38% who have only watched some have some catching up to do before season five drops.
Come December 18th, let the binge-watching begin. Some 72% of Gen Z fans have already blocked the date off in their calendars, ready to watch all ten episodes back to back to back before spoilers start popping up on social media.
Not everyone is so eager for Emily, but as Sylvie put it, to be a “true Parisian“, one must suffer – and 22% are embracing that suffering, tuning in to hate-watch the latest season.
While Emily’s chaotic life makes great TV, most Gen Z viewers aren’t watching through rose-tinted glasses: 60% say her love life – full of juggling romantic interests, and all the mishaps, conflicts, and heartbreaks that come with it – is a major red flag.
Likewise, while there’s no denying she’s a fashion icon, 41% of fans find her superficial, and 36% roll their eyes as she constantly chases social media validation.
And as for her signature cultural faux pas, 37% of Gen Zers can’t help but cringe.
Some 11% of viewers describe Emily as a show-off, 9% find her annoying and boring, and 6% say she’s selfish and toxic.
Sure, she has her flaws, but don’t we all? For 38% of Gen Z fans, Emily’s imperfections make her surprisingly relatable. Likewise, 48% label her as iconic, and 47% say she’s smart and funny.
From Alfie’s blandness to Marcello’s unreliability, Emily isn’t exactly great at picking romantic interests. But if fans had to pick one, Gabriel is Gen Z’s preferred suitor, having won over 67% of viewers.
However, it’s the show’s female characters that steal the spotlight: 70% of viewers like Camille and 63% like Sylvie. And it’s even higher (75%) among those who think Emily is selfish and toxic.
Yet, despite the drama she attracts and problems she creates for herself, it’s Emily herself who fans love most, with 86% admitting that they like her.
While 28% call the show unrealistic and 11% say it’s cringy, 62% of Gen Z viewers secretly wish they could live Emily’s life.
Whether it’s her glamorous career (24%), her whirlwind romances (18%), or both (20%) – young fans are drawn into the fantasy… no matter how messy.
Ignoring the chaos, what makes Emily truly inspiring is her confidence. She’s a go-getter who, when she wants something, throws herself into any situation, even if she stumbles along the way.
And Gen Z are learning a thing or two from her success, with 82% having reevaluated their life choices after watching the show. Some 45% have rethought their social habits, 38% their relationships, and 32% have toyed with the idea of moving away.
Love or hate her, when season five drops, Gen Z will be tuning in – whether to learn from or laugh at Emily’s struggles.
Methodology: To create the study, researchers from EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 Gen Zers from the US who have watched Emily in Paris previously. The study did not focus on specific genders, ethnicities, or social backgrounds.
