“Emily in Paris”' Ashley Park Was in Denial of Early Chemistry with Costar Paul Forman After Lily Collins 'Noticed' It

The costars have been dating for over two years now, but only went public with their relationship in January

Ashley Park is opening up about the early days of her relationship with her Emily in Paris costar Paul Forman.

The actress, 33, and Forman, 30, have been together for more than two years now, but only went public with their love earlier this year, weeks after Park was hospitalized with tonsillitis that spiraled into critical septic shock.

Park told Cosmopolitan she was initially hesitant about pursuing Forman because she had pledged to "never date an actor again," but the chemistry between them was hard to ignore – and their costar Lily Collins spotted it early on.

Related: Ashley Park and Paul Forman: All About the Emily in Paris Costars' Relationship

"I mean, let’s face it, he’s eye candy. So I was also like, 'Oh my god, definitely not. I am past that. I would never fall for someone who looks that impeccable.' So we were just friends. Very platonically, we would hang out," she recalled, before sharing that Collins started picking up on things early on.

"Lily noticed the chemistry. She was like, ‘Ashley, what is going on?’ And I replied, ‘Nothing. I told you I wasn’t dating actors.'"

Things finally changed between them when Park invited Forman on a volunteer trip in Poland, and she told the outlet that "watching him play chess with these children who did not have a home and acting like this father figure to them because their fathers were at war, watching him be so present, it was amazing."

"So I had to do a little loss-of-dignity tour. I had to be like, 'Lily, everyone, we are so in love.' That was about two years ago."

Park raved of her boyfriend, "One of the reasons I wanted to be friends with him, and eventually fell in love with him, is that he’s so generous and kind as a coworker and a friend. I’ve never been with a straight white male who has been more generous or better to work with on a set. Ever, ever, ever."

Related: Lucien Laviscount Applauds 'Absolute Trouper' Ashley Park, Praises Her 'Wonderful' Boyfriend Paul Forman (Exclusive)

Forman - who joined the cast of the Netflix series in season 3 – is not the only confidant Park feels lucky to have on set with her, though.

The Joy Ride star told Cosmopolitan that she and Collins, 35, feel "so f---ing lucky" to have found each other. "We both came into each other’s lives at a time when we needed that exact kind of friendship," she shared.

"Lily and I don’t have to check in every day. It’s so amazing when you can see someone after months and go deep immediately," Park continued. "And also, you don’t feel like you need to have ownership over that person. It’s cool if they’re hanging out with other people, living their life."

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Part one of season 4 of Emily in Paris premieres on Aug. 15 on Netflix, and seasons 1-3 are now streaming.

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