After a significant event, recovery can be unexpectedly challenging. For Lillian Jean Cornell, daughter of the late great Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell, the experience has been emotionally uplifting.
Lily’s story isn’t simply one of grief over losing her father; it’s of how she transforms that grief into something worthwhile. Lily is talented and has gone through so much, from starting her mental health advocacy platform to her first public performance.
In this article, we explore how Lillian Jean Cornell has stepped into her light, with one foot in her father’s legacy but the other foot planted firmly in her unique journey to effect change in this world. Her drive to affect change inspires us all.
She Is Not Just As The Daughter Of A Rock Icon
Photo: Paul Lorkowski
Lillian Jean Cornell, also known as “Lilly,” was born on June 19, 2000, in the United States. She is the elder daughter of the late Chris Cornell and his first wife, Susan Silver.
With those deep roots anchored in the music world, it would be easy to assume that Lily’s life was resolved in the shadow of her father’s fame. But her story is much broader than that.
Lily is advocating for her mental health nowadays, a topic she’s been more vocal about than ever. Before long, she had become much more than the daughter of a rock icon.
She had also become a young woman with a voice and used it to speak out about issues that mattered to her — primarily mental health awareness. She has used her platform to teach and advocate for those who may experience the same difficulties she did.
Most Pivotal Moment In Lillian Jean Cornell’s Life
Image Source: Lillian Jean Cornell Instagram
The most formative moment in Lily’s life occurred in May 2017, when her father tragically took his life. For Lily, the tragedy would cause her to struggle with her mental health — something she never thought she would have to do.
At 17, she was thrown into a maelstrom of grief, anxiety, and depression. These are the same struggles she openly discusses, allowing her story to be told with bravery and vulnerability so that others can feel less alone.
Coping with Greif
Lily has frequently focused on how losing her father affected her. She says mental health wasn’t talked about in her family, but after the death of her father, she understood they needed to break the stigma.
In interviews, Lily explained how the loss became a wake-up call. She knew that mental health required more coverage, particularly in communities where mental health issues are often ignored and dismissed.
“I want people to know that mental health doesn’t need to be stigmatized,” Lily said in an interview about her advocacy. “It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to talk about it.”
Lillian Jean Cornell’s Mission to Help Others
Image Source: Lillian Jean Cornell Instagram
Lily’s self-healing journey gradually transformed into a broader mission to help others. Her significant first step in more formal advocacy was to create “Mind Wide Open,” a weekly IGTV series she launched in July 2020.
The show revolves around mental health; it offers youth the opportunity to speak without fear of being judged for the personal struggles they may be having.
By addressing topics such as anxiety, depression, and the emotional impacts of loss, Lily has provided a safe space for people to learn, share, and grow.
Her Contribution to Mental Health Sector as Mind Wide Open
What makes “Mind Wide Open” unique is its intended audience: young people. Now in her 20s, Lily understands that her generation’s pressures are real.
Social media, academic stress, and personal struggles can profoundly impact today’s youth. Lily hopes to remind them they are not alone and to help them provide comfort and understanding.
“The audience is everybody, specifically a young person,” she explained. “Younger people can be taught from a young age that mental health doesn’t need to be stigmatized. I want it to be as accessible as possible.”
Lily is inspired by sharing her experiences and encouraging others to do the same. She speaks candidly about the difficulties of growing up in the public eye, struggling with anxiety, and learning how to ask for help when it’s needed. This openness has touched many who have watched her show and followed her path.
Lillian Jean Cornell First Stage Performance
Image Source: Lillian Jean Cornell Instagram
As much as she is known for her advocacy around mental health, Lily Cornell Silver is carving out a niche for herself in the music world.
After years of being part of the music scene in the background, Lily took a bold step forward in her own right when she made her debut public performance.
Lily debuted on stage in 2020 at the MoPOP Founders Award ceremony, paying tribute to Alice in Chains by performing the band’s “Black Gives Way to Blue.”
It was a momentous event for Lily, whose career as a public musician she has avoided until now out of respect for her father’s legacy.
What Was So Special in That Perform?
It was an emotional performance for Lily, a tribute to the band her mother, Susan Silver, had managed for years.
As Lily’s mother has worked closely with Soundgarden and Alice in Chains — two of the most significant grunge bands of the 1990s — her presence in the industry has directly fed Lily’s professional direction and indirectly affected her work.
With Queensryche’s Chris DeGarmo in tow, Lily’s cover of the 2009 Alice in Chains single was a fitting tribute to the band and her father’s musical heritage. Her vulnerability on stage and the song’s rawness left a powerful impact on the audience.
Lillian Jean Cornell Family Legacy in Music
Despite her growing reputation as a mental health advocate, Lily’s connection to the music world runs deep. Her father, Chris Cornell, was Soundgarden’s lead singer and guitarist, one of the cornerstones of the grunge movement.
Her mother, Susan Silver, was a senior in the Seattle music scene, managing Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.
Lily grew up within these walls, and music was constant, but as deeply entrenched in the music world as her family was, she kept a respectful distance from the limelight.
“I’ve never wanted to use my family’s legacy to my advantage. I want to be recognized for my work, my voice,” she has said in past interviews.
However, as her sense of self caught up with her identity over the years, it became clear that Lily had something to contribute to the music.
Her first performance was not about upholding her father’s name. It was about discovering her voice in music and using it to express her feelings and narrative.
Her Involvement In Other Campaigns
Although “Mind Wide Open” was undoubtedly a significant milestone in Lily’s advocacy work, her impact transcends her IGTV series alone. She has also participated in several campaigns to fight stigmatization of mental health issues, especially in younger generations.
Besides hosting her show, Lily often appears in interviews, podcasts, and live events where she candidly speaks about her battle with mental illness.
Her Commitment
“I want to normalize these conversations,” Lily said. “For so long, people have been afraid to talk about mental health. My goal is to show people that there is nothing wrong with asking for help, and there’s nothing wrong with struggling.”
Lily hopes to contribute to meaningful conversations about mental health with her work, and by sharing her experience, she encourages others to open up.
Whether sharing personal stories on Instagram or having thorough discussions with mental health professionals on her show, Lily is committed to making a difference.
FAQs
Where does Lillian Jean Cornell live?
Lillian Jean Cornell lives in Seattle, Washington, and is the daughter of Susan Silver and the late Chris Cornell.
What are Chris Cornell’s children doing now?
Chris Cornell’s children are working on their music, and Vicky Karayiannis is sharing updates on creating songs together.
What is the age of Lillian Jean Cornell?
Born on June 28, 2000, Lillian Jean Cornell is 24 years old.
Who is Lillian Jean Cornell’s boyfriend?
Lillian Jean Cornell is dating model Billy Keogh, and they share affectionate posts on social media.
How many siblings does Lillian Cornell have?
Lily has two younger half-siblings, Toni and Christopher Nicholas.
