Anne Hathaway advocated for more size-inclusive models during production of The Devil Wears Prada 2, prompting producers to adjust casting quickly. She raised the issue after noticing traditionally sized models on set, emphasizing that all body shapes are beautiful. The sequel features a more diverse cast and premieres in New York.
At the worldwide premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York, Anne Hathaway explained her push for inclusivity. 'I had noticed that we had beautiful models on set, and a lot of them were more traditionally model-sized,' she told Variety on the red carpet. 'I thought the scene would be so much more enjoyable for the audience if we had just a wider range of bodies on display, because all different shapes are beautiful.' Hathaway approached producers directly: 'Don’t you think the scene would be stronger if we had a more inclusive approach to sizing?' They agreed and made changes within an hour, as sequences were filmed during live runway shows at Milan Fashion Week. Meryl Streep had earlier praised Hathaway's initiative in a March Harper’s Bazaar interview, noting she confronted producers over 'alarmingly thin' models and secured promises for less 'skeletal' appearances. The sequel boasts a diverse cast including Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley from Bridgerton, and Helen J. Shen as Streep’s new assistant. Shen credited Hathaway for fostering inclusivity: 'Twenty years ago, if I think about this particular movie, I don’t know that I would have gotten cast.' Separately, Sydney Sweeney filmed a three-minute cameo as herself, dressed by Emily Blunt’s Emily Charlton—who now runs Dior’s U.S. operations—but it was cut for structural reasons. Anna Wintour’s cameo was also removed, though director David Frankel plans to use her 'gag take' as a streaming bonus feature. The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters on May 1.
