Anne Hathaway has spoken candidly about her efforts to promote body inclusivity in the highly anticipated sequel to the film “The Devil Wears Prada.” At the recent premiere in New York City, the actress, now 43, articulated her thoughts on the necessity for diverse representation in the fashion industry, as she engages in a familiar world once again.
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In an interview with Canada’s Etalk, Hathaway revealed that she felt it was essential for the film to showcase models of various sizes. “We’re all kind of happier when everybody feels included,” she stated, highlighting a shift in the representation of beauty standards. Reflecting on the casting process, she shared her concerns with the film’s producers, noting that there were an abundance of traditionally sized models in the movie.
Hathaway approached the producers with the request to be more mindful of model representation. “I just went up to the producers and said, ‘Hey, do you think that we could?’” she recounted. The response was positive, with the producers expressing their regret for not having noticed. Within just a couple of hours, the casting was updated, incorporating a wider range of body types. “It made me happy,” Hathaway concluded, pleased with the changes made.

Meryl Streep, Hathaway’s co-star in the film, has also spoken about Hathaway’s proactive stance. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Streep shared her impressions of the casting process for the sequel. She noted the starkness of the fashion world during Milan Fashion Week, remarking on the tendency of models to appear alarmingly thin. “I thought that all had been addressed years ago. Annie clocked it too,” Streep revealed, praising Hathaway’s initiative to secure promises from the producers regarding the models’ appearances.

The actress has earned further recognition, as on the same day as the premiere, she was announced as PEOPLE’s World’s Most Beautiful for 2026. In her cover story, Hathaway reflected on returning to the iconic role of Andy Sachs, discussing how much she cherished her time making the original film. Despite the stress and anxiety of the experience, she characterised it as one of the most enjoyable periods of her career, largely due to the brilliant cast.
Hathaway fondly reminisced about her co-stars, particularly Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, whom she described as “dreams” and incredibly talented individuals. She reserved special admiration for Meryl Streep, whom she regards as a defining figure in the industry. “She’s someone I admire. Someone who defines how it’s done,” Hathaway expressed, recognising Streep’s continuous pursuit of excellence as an artist.
The sequel, scheduled for release on May 1, promises to navigate the evolving landscape of the fashion industry, exploring themes of career struggles and the pressures faced within traditional magazine publishing. Primarily, the storyline will follow Miranda Priestly, played by Streep, as she grapples with the changes in her professional world while facing off against Blunt’s character, who has transitioned into a high-powered executive role.
As the film prepares for its release, Hathaway’s advocacy for body inclusivity has set a notable tone, reflecting broader discussions within fashion and media. Her efforts, alongside supporting colleagues like Streep, signal a potential shift towards greater acceptance and representation in the industry. The renewed focus on the importance of diversity in body types may inspire future productions to continue challenging narrow beauty standards, fostering a more inclusive environment for all.
With the sequel drawing nearer, fans of the original film are eager to see how these themes will be explored on screen and what impact they may have on audiences’ perceptions of beauty within the fashion world. As Hathaway and the cast bring the beloved characters back to life, the ripples of their efforts towards inclusivity are bound to resonate far beyond the cinema.
