Twenty years after The Devil Wears Prada became a fashion phenomenon, fans are once again stepping into Miranda Priestly's world with The Devil Wears Prada 2 now on Disney Plus. But while the film's iconic one-liners and unforgettable makeover scenes are well known, there's plenty that happened behind the scenes that viewers never got to see.
Anne Hathaway Had to Fight for the Role
It's impossible to imagine anyone other than Anne Hathaway playing aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, but she wasn't the studio's first choice. Rachel McAdams was among the actresses considered before Hathaway finally won over producers. The actress, 43, later revealed just how determined she was to land the part, cleverly using a 'zen sand garden' to make her mark. "I went into the meeting and I wrote, 'Hire me,' in the sand." Obviously, her persistence paid off, with the role becoming one of the biggest turning points of her career.
Meryl Streep Surprised Everyone with Miranda
Although Miranda Priestly is widely believed to have been inspired by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep created her own version of the intimidating magazine boss. Director David Frankel admitted he was caught off guard when Meryl, 77, chose to deliver her lines quietly instead of shouting. He said: "Everyone expected her to scream. She never raised her voice." The understated performance made Miranda even more chilling and earned Streep an Oscar nomination.
Fashion Labels Weren't Lining Up
Despite the film revolving around designer fashion, many luxury brands initially wanted nothing to do with it, fearing it would poke fun at the industry. Costume designer Patricia Field later explained that changed once one major star signed on. "Once Meryl Streep was cast, everything opened up." The production ultimately featured a wardrobe worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, helping cement the film's status as a fashion classic.
Emily Blunt Feared Her Slimmed-Down Frame Sent the Wrong Message
Emily Blunt's scene-stealing performance as Emily Charlton made her a fan favourite, but filming took its toll. The 43-year-old actress later admitted she was exhausted after losing weight for the role. She previously admitted playing a character "on the edge of anorexia" meant she often "sobbed" on set and she feared the film was sending the wrong message to young women. Emily explained: "It is becoming worrying how many super-thin girls we see walking around, and they are so obviously ill. It is kind of accepted and it is glamorized more than it should be." Despite that, she delivered some of the film's funniest and most quotable moments.
Stanley Tucci Became the Film's Heart
Stanley Tucci's Nigel nearly stole every scene he appeared in, and his friendship with Anne Hathaway carried over off-screen. Looking back on filming, Tucci said the cast clicked almost instantly, gushing that they "all got on brilliantly." That chemistry helped make Nigel one of the movie's most beloved characters.
Released in 2006, The Devil Wears Prada grossed more than £250 million worldwide and remains one of the most iconic fashion films ever made. With The Devil Wears Prada 2 introducing a new chapter, fans are rediscovering the original – and the stories behind it are almost as entertaining as the film itself.
