The eagerly awaited sequel to 'The Devil Wears Prada' brought with it an unexpected level of public fervor, as lead actresses Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep navigated intense fan and media attention during production. Both stars remarked on the significant shift in public engagement compared to the original film's making two decades prior, requiring substantial crowd management and even leading to a memorable on-set incident for Hathaway.
Filming 'The Devil Wears Prada 2': A Whirlwind of Attention and Adaptation
In a recent interview for *Harper's Bazaar* published on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep opened up about the challenges faced during the filming of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'. Streep, portraying the iconic Miranda Priestly, candidly shared her surprise at the sheer volume of "goodwill and avid attention" that engulfed them. She described a scene demanding police barriers and crowd control, with buses of fans appearing and paparazzi disrupting shots. Despite the chaos, Streep praised Hathaway's composure, admitting to being personally unnerved.
A notable evolution from the initial film involved the fashion industry's reception. While designer brands were initially reluctant to participate in the first movie, the sequel saw Hathaway and Streep attending actual fashion shows during Milan Fashion Week. Streep even made a front-row appearance at Dolce & Gabbana in character. However, this experience also prompted Streep to comment on the alarming thinness of models, a concern Hathaway brought to producers, ensuring more realistic body types for models cast in the film's own fashion show sequences.
The heightened media interest also led to a widely publicized mishap involving Hathaway, who was photographed falling down steps on set. She later light-heartedly addressed the incident on social media. Privately, however, Hathaway confessed to director David Frankel, realizing the fall would become "news" amidst the intense scrutiny. The sequel, set to release on May 1st, sees the return of Hathaway, Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, exploring their characters' lives and careers two decades later, against the backdrop of a transformed media landscape. Frankel hinted that the film will delve into how Andy, Hathaway's character, has navigated journalism in its current state, focusing on a woman in her forties coming to terms with the world as it is.
Reflecting on her career, Hathaway acknowledged the lasting impact of her roles, including 'The Princess Diaries', noting how she's grown up alongside her audience. She also confirmed her return for 'Princess Diaries 3', further cementing her connection with a generation that has followed her cinematic journey.
The making of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' serves as a fascinating case study in the evolving relationship between Hollywood productions and their global audience. The intensity of fan engagement and media scrutiny underscores the enduring legacy of the original film and the cultural impact its stars continue to wield. It highlights how cinematic narratives, much like the fashion industry they sometimes portray, must adapt to changing societal norms and expectations. The actresses' experiences offer a glimpse into the constant negotiation between artistic creation and public spectacle in the contemporary entertainment landscape.
