A New Era for Runway: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Embraces Body Positivity
As the highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, prepares to hit cinemas, Meryl Streep, reprising her iconic role as the formidable Miranda Priestly, has revealed a significant departure from the original film. This crucial change, Streep divulged, was the result of “non-negotiables” set forth by her co-star, Anne Hathaway, who returns as the ever-evolving Andy Sachs.
Speaking candidly, Streep recounted a pivotal moment during the filming of a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show for the sequel, set against the backdrop of Milan Fashion Week. “We were struck by how not only beautiful and young… but alarmingly thin the models were,” she recalled. This observation was particularly jarring, as Streep had believed such issues had been addressed years prior.
Hathaway, equally concerned, immediately brought the matter to the producers’ attention. “Annie clocked it too, and she made a beeline to the producers about it, securing promises that the models in the show that we were putting together for our film would not be so skeletal!” Streep explained. This stands in stark contrast to the original The Devil Wears Prada, where the models were uniformly rail-thin, and Andy’s perceived “size 6” was derided as “fat” within the cutthroat world of fictional Runway magazine. Streep lauded Hathaway’s stance, describing her as “a stand-up girl.”
The Unforeseen Spectacle of Filming a Sequel
Beyond the on-screen narrative, Streep also shared her astonishment at the sheer scale of attention surrounding the filming of The Devil Wears Prada 2. While aware of the first film’s immense impact, she admitted that neither she nor her castmates were prepared for the “ambush of both goodwill and avid attention that engulfed us.”
The legendary actress described the chaotic scenes: “We needed police barriers and crowd control. Buses of fans turned up, and paparazzi swarmed and in one case kept jumping in front of the camera and the shot and got in a kerfuffle with crew!” Hathaway managed to maintain her composure, but Streep confessed to feeling “unnerved” by the overwhelming frenzy.
Fans may recall a widely publicised incident during filming where Anne Hathaway had a tumble down some stairs, which subsequently generated considerable buzz on social media. Hathaway recounted the experience, stating, “I was aware that I was falling, I was aware that I was being photographed, and I was also aware that so many people on the crew, their hearts had just jumped up into their throat, so I needed to get up quickly to make sure they knew I was OK.” She later wryly remarked to director David Frankel, “Oh no. I’m news.” Thankfully, no serious injuries were sustained in the fall.
Key Changes and Observations:
- Model Representation: A significant shift towards promoting healthier body image on screen, with explicit promises to cast models who are not excessively thin.
- Fan Engagement: The sequel’s production experienced an unprecedented level of fan and media attention, requiring extensive crowd control and security measures.
- On-Set Incidents: Despite the controlled environment, unexpected events, like Hathaway’s fall, captured public attention and highlighted the intense scrutiny faced by the cast.
The commitment to a more inclusive representation of beauty in The Devil Wears Prada 2 signals a welcome evolution for the franchise and reflects a broader societal conversation about body image and industry standards. This conscious decision, driven by the cast and producers, ensures that the sequel not only entertains but also contributes to a more positive and realistic portrayal of the fashion world.
