Comments actress Anne Hathaway made during the European premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in London on April 22 are drawing backlash online after a red carpet clip circulated widely on social media.
Speaking to reporters at the event, Hathaway said she encouraged producers to expand the range of body types represented among the film’s models, prompting what she described as a quick shift in casting. The moment, captured in a video and shared on X, quickly gained traction online and sparked criticism from Megyn Kelly and other commentators.
“I came on set and saw the models, who were very lovely, but all a bit traditionally sized,” Hathaway said. “I went to the producers and asked, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if there were more bodies, more types of bodies?’ … They made the change in like two seconds, so all credit to them.”
Hathaway’s comments reflect a broader effort she described during the film’s press tour. Speaking at premiere events, the actress said she approached producers after noticing a lack of body diversity among the film’s models.
According to Hathaway, the upcoming movie's production team quickly adjusted casting. “Within two hours, suddenly, there were more girls there,” she said in one interview, describing the shift as part of an effort to make the film feel more inclusive.
The remarks, intended to highlight inclusivity, instead ignited a broader debate about competition, beauty standards and authenticity in Hollywood.
Kelly amplified several critical responses on social media, including one post arguing the change could come at the expense of women who had spent years working to meet traditional modeling expectations. The post suggested some may have viewed the opportunity as “their big break,” only to lose it.
The reactions reflect a broader debate over representation, competition and hiring practices in entertainment. Here are some notable responses to the actress's comments on diversity.
Some critics focused on fairness within the modeling industry, arguing that opportunities are already limited and highly competitive. Others framed the decision more bluntly. “She iced out her competition. Much of wokeness boils down to this,” author and commentator Jack Posobiec wrote.
A Familiar Flashpoint in Hollywood Debates
The reaction to Hathaway’s comments follows a pattern that has become increasingly common in recent years, where even small production decisions tied to major films quickly become proxies for larger cultural debates.
In this case, critics framed the casting shift less as a creative choice and more as a question of fairness, particularly in an industry where competition for visibility and opportunity is already intense. Some argued that expanding representation could come at the expense of performers who have spent years working within traditional expectations.
At the same time, supporters of broader casting practices have long argued that those same expectations have historically limited who is able to break into the industry in the first place. While Hathaway’s comments were relatively brief, they touched on a longstanding tension in Hollywood between evolving standards of representation and entrenched ideas about merit and competition.
The speed at which the exchange spread online underscores how quickly those tensions can resurface, particularly when amplified by high-profile figures and widely shared clips. In many cases, the reaction becomes less about the original comment and more about what it represents to different audiences.
What to Know About ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’
Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives 20 years after the original 2006 film, bringing back core cast members including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, the sequel follows a new chapter at Runway magazine while introducing additional cast members such as Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley and Lucy Liu.
The film is set for a theatrical release on May 1, with a global promotional tour already underway. Recent marketing has included a final trailer featuring the original song “Runway,” performed by Lady Gaga and Doechii, as well as a series of international premiere events tied to the film’s rollout.
As the film’s press tour continues, the reaction to Hathaway’s comments highlights how even brief red carpet moments can take on a life of their own once amplified online. In an era where casting decisions, marketing clips and offhand remarks can quickly become cultural flashpoints, the conversation often extends far beyond the film itself—reflecting broader debates about identity, competition and the expectations audiences bring with them.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 | Final Trailer
What started as a brief red carpet comment quickly expanded into a broader online debate over casting, competition and industry standards.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 releases in theaters on May 1, 2026.
