It’s 11 p.m. on a Saturday night in December, somewhere amid the dark, snowy mountains of Switzerland. While the bitter winter cold takes hold outside, inside the racing Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, it’s warm and bright. Hot pink lights bounce off the curved ceiling as Tony-nominee Ashley Park takes center stage in the bustling bar car — her Emily in Paris co-stars Lily Collins and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu sit in front of her, alongside series creator Darren Star. Just beyond the fashion comedy favorites are a pack of mesmerized content creators — just like the titular well-heeled one Collins portrays on Emily in Paris. 

The cheers hit a fever pitch when Park switches from the dreamy notes of “La Vie en rose” to the familiar ones of “Mon Soleil,” the track she made famous as her pop star character Mindy Chen. Real-life influencers and fictional ones alike applaud as Park sings, “’Baby, it feels like Heaven. Mon chéri.” Her words feel true as the piano keys play; Emily in Paris has reached singularity. 

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

The storied train is taking Collins, Park, Leroy-Beaulieu, Star, and their social media-savvy new friends — including Dylan Mulvaney and Eurovision contestant Bilal Hassani — from Venice, Italy to Paris, France for the Emily in Paris Season 5 global premiere. Both stylish cities (plus Rome) play a major role in the love stories, professional triumphs, and heartbreaks of the upcoming episodes, debuting on Netflix on Dec. 18. Tudum is your ticket inside the ride. 

Before anyone stepped stiletto onto the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the crew enjoyed the glamour of Venice — and previewed what was ahead for Emily, Mindy, Sylvie (Leroy-Beaulieu), and the rest of the Emily in Paris glitterati. Collins revealed one shocking piece of news ahead of Season 5: Emily is finally learning the appeal of a flat shoe. 

PHOTOS BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

“So she’s more fluid and not falling,” Collins joked, before explaining the deeper meaning behind Emily’s pragmatic sartorial evolution. 

“In the first season, Emily has a lot of thoughts and a lot of things to say. Instead of always sharing them, she puts them in her clothes. So a lot of the outfits are bright, bold, colorful, and out there in a beautiful way,” she continued. “In Season 5, she knows how to articulate herself in a different way.  I like to think that there’s more of an inner confidence that comes out in her clothes.” 

Leroy-Beaulieu hinted Emily may have “learned some tricks” from her chic boss — and that Sylvie may have picked up some of open-hearted Emily’s habits as well. Season 5 gives us a glimpse of a relaxed version of the Parisian businesswoman, who has more obstacles than ever in front of her. “Of course, there are beautiful outfits. But I was more interested in what was happening inside of [Sylvie],” Leroy-Beaulieu said. “I thought maybe also because her life is becoming so complicated, she’d be less uptight.” 

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

The cast was certainly anything but uptight the next morning, as they hopped on water taxis for a trip through the heart of Venice. At the end of their maritime journey, they found themselves boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. But, of course, not before taking a few photos at the Venezia Santa Lucia train station.

Once aboard, even Emily Cooper herself was dazzled by the luxury in front of her: the deep blue velvet couches, dark wood paneling, and crystal glasses just waiting to be filled with champagne. “This is stunning,” Collins marveled as she and Park moved through the car. Soon enough, the pair were holding hands and posing in front of a piano for photographer David Suh, who was wearing an Emily in Paris–ready pearl pink suit of his own. Not even the unpredictability of a speeding train going up to a hundred miles an hour could break Collins and Park’s connection, as they laughed together through the twists and turns of the track. 

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

Throughout the rest of the day, Emily in Paris cast members and content creators filtered throughout the space, rubbed elbows, and sipped cocktails. As Leroy-Beaulieu lounged on a love seat for Suh’s camera, he called the experience a “master class” in modeling. French musician Hassani practiced a cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” she would later perform for everyone on board. Mulvaney and her plus-one, Big Mouth’s Josie Totah, slipped on traditional red plaid nightgowns as espresso martinis flowed and corks popped. 

But, the evening didn’t crescendo until Park’s aforementioned surprise show, which transitioned into a piano-only rendition of “Dancing Queen.” Park was free to shimmy with Collins and Leroy-Beaulieu, as the trio sang along to the 1970s hit. Soon enough, a full dance party broke out, complete with a DJ. Britney Spears, Madonna, and the Spice Girls blared through the speakers as revelers ignored the cold kicking up outside in favor of the confines of their plush music box of a car. 

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI

The next morning, “Captain” Collins said “Bonjour” to her fellow travelers over the intercom, welcoming them to Paris. Everyone stepped off the train, and into the next chapter of Emily in Paris.  Tune in on Dec. 18 to find out what’s next for Emily and her friends — and keep coming back to Tudum for even more news out of Agence Grateau. 

PHOTO BY GIULIA PARMIGIANI