Milana Aleksandrovna Vayntrub, born March 8, 1987 in Tashkent (then in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic), is an American actress, comedian, writer, and activist. She is perhaps best known for portraying Lily Adams in AT&T television commercials, a role that made her a recognizable face across the United States. But behind that high‑profile role lies a long journey of acting, comedy, and advocacy.

Early Life & Personal Background
Milana was born into a Jewish family and, when she was about two years old, her family fled antisemitism in the Soviet Union. They immigrated to the U.S. as refugees and settled in West Hollywood, California. Growing up in an immigrant family, she experienced financial hardships. To help her family and to find creative expression, Milana began acting very young—starting with commercials like those for Mattel Barbie when she was five.

She briefly attended Beverly Hills High School but left after her sophomore year. She earned a GED instead and went on to attend the University of California, San Diego, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She also trained in improvisational comedy with the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Early Career & Comedy Development
From early on, Milana took small acting roles in TV shows. One of her first roles was in ER in 1995. She also appeared in shows such as Days of Our Lives, The Division, and Lizzie McGuire. These early work experiences built up her resume and exposure.

Her comedy voice began to emerge most clearly through sketch work, improv, and digital media. Along with Stevie Nelson, she co‑created the YouTube comedy channel Live Prude Girls, producing short comedic videos and sketches. This project gained traction, earning recognition on the NewMediaRockstars Top 100 YouTube Channels list.

She also studied with Upright Citizens Brigade, which is known for improv and sketch comedy training—this further shaped her comedic and performance style.

Breakthrough & Mainstream Success
Her widespread recognition came when she took on the role of Lily Adams for AT&T commercials, beginning around 2013. This gave her visibility to a broad audience beyond niche or online comedy circles.

Since then, Milana has built a career spanning roles in television, voice acting, and more, but her comedy and digital content—especially Live Prude Girls—served as the foundation that allowed her to break into larger, more mainstream entertainment roles. Her early life as a refugee, her upbringing, and her early start in acting and comedy all contributed to her resilience, adaptability, and unique voice as a performer and advocate.