It has been nearly two decades since Andy Sachs first stumbled into the intimidating, high-stakes offices of The Devil Wears Prada, wearing that famously lumpy blue sweater. Fans around the world have been eagerly holding out for a sequel ever since the original film became a cultural phenomenon.
Now, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially in the works and moving forward. But before the cameras even had a chance to start rolling, Anne Hathaway made sure to lay down one very specific ground rule.
And interestingly enough, it has absolutely nothing to do with her wardrobe, her salary, or her screen time.
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A startling reality check at Milan Fashion Week
The story behind this new condition begins during a recent research trip. To prepare for the highly anticipated sequel, both Hathaway and Hollywood legend Meryl Streep attended Milan Fashion Week together.
They went in expecting to observe the modern evolution of high fashion and gather inspiration for the upcoming film. Instead, they found themselves completely taken aback by a troubling industry standard playing out right in front of them.
In a candid interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Streep opened up about their shared experience. The veteran actress admitted she was shocked by the physical appearance of the runway models, describing them as “alarmingly thin.”
She also revealed she had assumed the fashion industry had already moved past this issue years ago. Seeing the reality up close turned into a wake-up call for both stars.
Hathaway puts her foot down
Noticing the same concerning trend on the runways, Hathaway decided she wasn’t going to sit back and watch. She immediately took action.
The actress approached the film’s producers with what has been described as “one big” request for the upcoming production.
Her demand was clear and non-negotiable. Hathaway secured a firm promise that the background models cast for the movie’s fashion show scenes would look natural and healthy.
She refused to let the sequel promote the image of unhealthily thin models on screen. For a film so deeply rooted in the world of high fashion, this marked a significant and necessary shift.
Miranda Priestly approves
It takes courage to challenge long-standing industry norms—and Hathaway’s co-star definitely took notice.
Meryl Streep praised her for taking a stand on body image, even calling her a “stand-up girl.”
It’s a beautiful contrast. While their on-screen relationship may be famously intense, off-screen there is clearly deep respect and shared values between the two.
Mark your calendars
With the right priorities in place, production is now moving ahead steadily. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially set for a theatrical release on May 1, 2026.
Fans can expect to see Streep and Hathaway reprise their iconic roles. The sequel will also introduce fresh faces, including Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, and Sydney Sweeney.
If Hathaway’s behind-the-scenes stance is any indication, the sequel is shaping up to be just as culturally relevant as the original - this time with a more conscious and healthier take on beauty.