Paying respect to the ultimate boss, Sylvie from Emily in Paris
While Emily in Paris has received both hate and love, blurring the lines between the cringy rom-com and self-absorbed American soapy drama, there is certainly one thing audiences have agreed on: Sylvie Grateau is the ultimate boss.
If anyone in this cast of bumbling, ambivalent characters deserves attention and respect, it is Sylvie Grateau, the caustic Chief Marketing Officer at Savoir – the show’s fictional marketing firm which later becomes Sylvie's own marketing firm Agence Grateau.
Played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, a veteran of French cinema and television, Sylvie has entertained us across the show’s three rollercoaster seasons on Netflix since first airing in 2020. With an intelligent yet cunning work style and chic fashion sense, Sylvie has stolen the show from protagonist Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins – an American Social Media Marketing Officer or is it Marketing Exec or Marketing Manager? (can someone please explain what Emily’s job is) – and if Sylvie doesn’t land her own spin-off, we will be DEVASTATED.
Not only is Sylvie the kind of boss you want on your side, but she is also a trustworthy friend. Preaching loyalty over money when it comes to her relationships, both personal and professional. While our leading lady Emily is well… um… rather dull (sorry it had to be said! I mean, there is really nothing else to this character besides social media, insta-influencing, fashion, accessorising, stealing boyfriends, accessorising, her undying love for her job, and well accessorising. As Kath and Kim’s Gary Poole once said, ‘she’s as plain as an Arrowroot biscuit.’ Well said Poole, well said). Sylvie on the other hand is as refreshing as a mojito on a thirty-five-degree summers day. She loves her job but isn’t overbearing, she enjoys boozy lunches with colleagues, and knows exactly how to maintain the perfect work-life balance.
Thank you Darren Star (the creator of Emily in Paris and Sex and the City) for providing us with a refreshing take on the hardworking female boss trope – one that isn’t stuck up, cold, lonely, and desperate to find a man to help her descend back to reality.
While many of the characters in Emily in Paris are riddled with cliches, you can’t not adore this one. You’ll find that you’ve come for cringy Emily, but will stay for the ultimate boss Sylvie. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that make Sylvie so special.
The sass is necessary
Anyone else getting Miranda Priestly vibes? Photo: Headtopics
When working with someone as ignorant as Emily, you have to know how to eloquently re-educate or simply stomp on those fetishised French stereotypes. Caustic and quick-witted, some of the best lines from the show come from Sylvie.
Enjoy the little things in life
Photo: Inspirelle
As Sylvie says to Emily: ‘Fall in love. Make mistakes. Leave a disastrous trail in your wake.’ Spend time enjoying the simple things in life: make love, explore relationships, eat great food, indulge in a few drinks over lunch with friends. Life isn’t all about working hard, it’s also about enjoying yourself. That’s certainly how Sylvie lives her life. And look, she’s thriving!
Work stays at work
Photo: Netflix
We need to take a lesson from Sylvie’s book. Work stays at work and should not be spoken about during lunch breaks, at parties, on weekends, and when you’ve clocked off. If you’re one to take a sneak peak at those work emails after dinner, stop yourself! Time to say no more and focus on yourself.