Christel Khalil (born May 13, 1988) is an American actress best known for her long‑running role as Lily Winters on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. She has received multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations for her performance.
Early life and education
Christel Khalil was born in Ventura, California, United States. She is of mixed heritage; her mother is of Mexican descent and her father is of Lebanese descent. Khalil attended local schools in Ventura and began acting at a young age, participating in community theater and school productions.
Career
Khalil made her television debut in 1998 with a guest appearance on The Young and the Restless as Lily Winters, a role she continued to portray intermittently. She became a regular cast member in 2002. In addition to her work on the soap opera, Khalil has appeared in several television movies and made guest appearances on series such as Sister, Sister and The Tracey Ullman Show. Her film credits include minor roles in To Dance with the White Stones (2008) and The Stink of Flesh (2014).
In 2011, Khalil took a brief hiatus from The Young and the Restless to pursue higher education, enrolling at the University of Southern California where she studied film production. She returned to the series later that year. Throughout her tenure on the show, Khalil has been involved in various storylines, ranging from teenage drama to more mature themes such as mental health and addiction.
Personal life
Christel Khalil is an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken publicly about her own experiences with anxiety and depression. She is also involved in charitable work related to youth empowerment and education. Khalil maintains a private personal life; details regarding her relationships or family are not extensively documented in reliable public sources.
Awards and nominations
- Daytime Emmy Awards
- 2006: Nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
- 2007: Nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
- 2009: Nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
- 2011: Nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
Filmography
Television
- The Young and the Restless (1998–present) – Lily Winters
- Sister, Sister (2000) – Guest role
- The Tracey Ullman Show (2000) – Guest role
Film
- To Dance with the White Stones (2008) – Supporting role
- The Stink of Flesh (2014) – Supporting role
References
[The entry is based on publicly available biographical and career information from reputable entertainment industry sources.]