Christel Adnana Mina Khalil (born November 30, 1987) is an American actress from Los Angeles, California. She has played Lily Winters on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless since 2002.
In 2012, she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series after four nominations in the category.
Who is Christel Khalil?
Christel Khalil is an American actress best known for her long-running role as Lily Winters on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless. She has played that character continuously since August 2002, making it one of the longest-running castings in modern daytime television.
Beyond soap opera, she also voiced Cornelia Hale in the animated series W.I.T.C.H. from 2004 to 2006. She has also guest-starred on Malcolm in the Middle, That’s So Raven, NCIS: Los Angeles, and 2 Broke Girls.
Khalil first landed her Lily Winters role at age 14.
Her full name is Christel Adnana Mina Khalil, and she grew up in Los Angeles, California. In 2012, she took home her first Daytime Emmy Award after collecting four nominations in the Outstanding Younger Actress category over several years.
She also received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama in 2008, an award for which she earned six total nominations between 2005 and 2014.
Early Life of Christel Khalil
Christel Khalil was born on November 30, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the city and developed a drive for acting from a very early age.
Her mother, Belita Edwards, is of African-American, Native American, and European descent. Her father, Adnan Khalil, came to the United States from Pakistan, as Christel shared publicly in 2017.
Her family also includes three older brothers, Alex, Chris, and Adam, and a younger half-sister named Aysha from her father’s side. Christel attended a private high school in her hometown before launching her acting career full time.
Christel Khalil Age
Christel Khalil is 38 years old as of June 11, 2026, born on November 30, 1987. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius. She returned to a full-time filming schedule on The Young and the Restless in January 2020 and has continued as a core cast member since.
Christel Khalil Ethnicity and Nationality
Khalil holds American nationality. Her heritage is mixed, with her mother carrying African-American, Native American, and Caucasian ancestry, and her father being of Pakistani origin. She has spoken openly about embracing her multicultural background throughout her career.
Christel Khalil Height and Weight
Christel Khalil stands at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) tall. Her weight is reported at approximately 112 lbs (51 kg). She maintains a slender, athletic build and has spoken about enjoying yoga, pilates, hiking, and dancing as part of her regular lifestyle.
Christel Khalil Career
Career Start and Early Roles
Christel Khalil began her acting career at age five with a role on The Sinbad Show in 1993. From there, she built her early resume through guest appearances on shows like Family Matters and George & Leo, as well as small parts in films including Dragon Fury (1995), Matilda (1996), and Milo (1998).
In 2002, she landed the part that would define her career. At fourteen, she joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as Lily Winters, daughter of Drucilla and Neil Winters, beginning on August 15, 2002.
She earned her first Young Artists Award nominations for Best Performance in a TV Series in both 2003 and 2004.
The Young and the Restless
Khalil played Lily Winters on Y&R continuously from 2002 until September 2005, when she took a break from the show. She returned to Genoa City on November 14, 2006, and has remained a fixture on the program since.
Over the years, the show gave her increasingly complex storylines, including romance, loss, and motherhood. Her Emmy win in June 2012 at the 39th Daytime Emmy Awards came in the Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series category, the fourth year she received a nomination.
In spring 2018, she shifted from a full contract to a recurring arrangement. She explained that the decision came from a desire for more personal and professional freedom. By January 2020, she returned to a full-time filming schedule.
Recent Work
Beyond Y&R, Khalil co-starred in the independent thriller Good Deed, which premiered on Lifetime in 2018. She also appeared in the feature film We Need to Talk (2022) and Chronologia Human.
In early 2026, she returned to The Young and the Restless set shortly after welcoming her third child, born in late 2025. Her Y&R character, now known as Lily Winters Ashby, remains central to the show’s storylines.
Christel Khalil Filmography
Khalil’s on-screen credits span more than three decades. Her television work includes The Young and the Restless (2002-present), W.I.T.C.H. as voice actress for Cornelia Hale (2004-2006), Malcolm in the Middle, That’s So Raven, NCIS: Los Angeles, 2 Broke Girls, The Sinbad Show (1993), Family Matters (1996), and George & Leo (1997).
Her film credits include Dragon Fury (1995), Matilda (1996), Milo (1998), You’re Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley’s Christmas Party (1997), Interview with the Assassin (2002), White Like the Moon, Good Deed (2018), We Need to Talk (2022), and Chronologia Human.
She also appeared in Bedlam as a guest actress.
Christel Khalil Awards and Recognition
Khalil won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series at the 39th Daytime Emmy Awards on June 23, 2012. She had previously earned nominations in the same category in 2004, 2006, and 2010.
In 2020, she received her first Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. That nomination came nearly eight years after her win, reflecting her continued prominence on Y&R.
She won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama in 2008. The same award body also nominated her in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2014.
Christel Khalil Husband
Christel Khalil married Sam Restagno, a Canadian businessman, on October 8, 2024. The ceremony took place at Masseria Grieco resort in Puglia, Italy, and the couple exchanged vows surrounded by close friends and family.
The two met at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2016. They announced their engagement in April 2023 and welcomed their first child together, a son named Remy, in late 2023, before marrying the following year.
Sam Restagno is the co-founder of Golden Spruce Capital, where he serves as Managing Partner. He leads the company’s acquisition and portfolio operations.
Prior to her relationship with Sam, Christel married musician Stephen Hensley in September 2008. They divorced in 2011. After that, she dated bar owner Ray Wicks from 2011 to 2015.
Christel Khalil Children
Christel Khalil has three children. Her eldest, Michael Caden Hensley, was born on April 17, 2010, with her first husband Stephen Hensley. Her Y&R co-star Bryton James serves as Michael’s godfather.
Her second son, Remy, arrived in late 2023 with her current husband Sam Restagno. A third child followed in late 2025 or early 2026, with Khalil sharing the first photos of the newborn on Instagram in March 2026.
She lives in Los Angeles with her family and has balanced a full filming schedule with raising three children.
Christel Khalil Net Worth
Christel Khalil’s estimated net worth is $17 million as of 2026. Her income comes primarily from her long-running contract role on The Young and the Restless, which she has held since 2002, along with film work and guest television appearances.
Her Y&R salary has grown across more than two decades of continuous work on one of daytime television’s highest-rated programs. Film and independent project income from works like Good Deed and We Need to Talk has added to her earnings.
She has also built a social media presence on Instagram with a verified following, which contributes to her broader professional profile.
Christel Khalil Social Media
Khalil is active on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @christeladnana. She uses both platforms to share personal milestones, behind-the-scenes content from Y&R, and family updates.
In March 2026, she posted an Instagram carousel featuring the first photos of her third child, shortly before returning to the Y&R set. Her Instagram presence has been a consistent window into her family life and career.
She is also active on X at @ChristelAdnana, where she engages with fans of The Young and the Restless and shares updates on her projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christel Khalil’s net worth?
Christel Khalil’s estimated net worth is $17 million as of 2026, built primarily through her decades-long role on The Young and the Restless.
How old is Christel Khalil?
Christel Khalil is 38 years old as of June 11, 2026, born on November 30, 1987, in Los Angeles, California.
Who is Christel Khalil married to?
Christel Khalil married Sam Restagno, a Canadian businessman, on October 8, 2024, in Puglia, Italy. She was previously married to musician Stephen Hensley from 2008 to 2011.
What is Christel Khalil’s height?
Christel Khalil stands at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) tall and weighs approximately 112 lbs (51 kg).
What movies and projects has Christel Khalil been in?
Christel Khalil is best known for playing Lily Winters on The Young and the Restless since 2002. She also voiced Cornelia Hale in W.I.T.C.H. and appeared in films including Matilda, We Need to Talk, and Good Deed.
Where was Christel Khalil born?
Christel Khalil was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 30, 1987.
The Bottom Line
Christel Khalil won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series on June 23, 2012, her fourth nomination in that category for her work as Lily Winters on The Young and the Restless.
She first landed her Y&R role at age fourteen in 2002 and has spent more than two decades building one of the longest continuous character runs in modern daytime television. Her mixed Pakistani and African-American heritage, which she has spoken about publicly, is part of her identity both on and off screen.
In early 2026, she returned to The Young and the Restless after welcoming her third child, continuing her role as a central figure in the show.
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