Milana Vayntrub, the actress behind AT&T’s iconic Lily, has a story as compelling as the character she brought to life. Born in Uzbekistan, her family fled persecution and sought refuge in the U.S., facing the challenges of building a new life. Early on, Milana discovered her passion for acting, landing small roles in Barbie commercials and TV shows like ER and Lizzie McGuire.

In 2013, she became the face of AT&T, charming audiences as Lily and significantly boosting the company’s sales. However, her rising fame wasn’t without its drawbacks. Online trolls targeted her, forcing AT&T to disable comments on her ads. Milana handled the criticism with grace, buoyed by encouragement from peers, including Stephanie Courtney, the actress behind Flo from Progressive.

Beyond acting, Milana’s advocacy work shines just as brightly. Passionate about reproductive rights and refugee issues, she uses her platform to champion meaningful causes. Resilient and deeply committed, Milana proves she’s much more than a familiar face on TV—she’s an inspiration off-screen.